{"id":668362,"date":"2025-09-18T16:03:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T20:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/?p=668362"},"modified":"2025-09-18T20:39:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T00:39:12","slug":"stellar-project-finalist-nsf-innovation-engines-competition-668362","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/stellar-project-finalist-nsf-innovation-engines-competition-668362\/","title":{"rendered":"University-led STELLAR project named a finalist in national \u2018innovation engines\u2019 competition"},"content":{"rendered":"
The National Science Foundation\u00a0Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program<\/a> announced<\/a> that a Rochester and Finger Lakes region coalition led by the 做厙勛圖<\/a> advanced to the final stage of the program’s second competition.<\/p>\n The STELLAR (Science, Technology and Engineering of Laser and Laser Applications Research) project<\/a> aims to progress the region as a national leader in laser technologies, education, company creation, manufacturing, and workforce development. Already home to more than 150 optics, photonics, imaging, and laser companies and suppliers employing more than 20,000 people, STELLAR\u2019s organizers believe the Rochester and Finger Lakes region is well-positioned to lead the country in the development of next-generation lasers.<\/p>\n The project\u2019s key partners include the University of Rochester\u2019s Institute of Optics<\/a> and Laboratory for Laser Energetics<\/a>, Monroe Community College<\/a>, Rochester Institute of Technology<\/a>, Nextcorps<\/a>, Luminate<\/a>, Greater Rochester Enterprise<\/a>,\u00a0AmeriCOM<\/a>, and New York State<\/a>.<\/p>\n Leading the effort is\u00a0Thomas Brown<\/a>, the director of the\u00a0Institute of Optics<\/a>, and\u00a0Jonathan Zuegel<\/a>, laser and materials technology division director <\/span>and a distinguished scientist at the\u00a0Laboratory for Laser Energetics<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cInvesting in STELLAR will help improve the country\u2019s competitiveness in laser science, technology, and engineering and provide US-based sources of next-generation lasers for scientific, industrial manufacturing, energy, biomedical, and national security applications,\u201d says Brown. \u201cTogether with an outstanding group of collaborators, we aim to build on Rochester\u2019s rich history of innovation and education in optics, photonics, and imaging technology.\u201d<\/p>\n Laser products are essential in a wide range of fields, including manufacturing, communications, inspection, environment sensing, defense, and security systems. But as Brown and Zuegel note, the manufacturing and packaging of lasers are increasingly being carried out overseas. At the same time, there\u2019s a shortage of skilled workers in the optics and photonics industry, according to the International Society for Optics and Photonics.<\/p>\n If funded, STELLAR would develop a manufacturing ecosystem for lasers, provide critical research and development support for growing companies, and help teachers from middle school through all levels of college develop curricula to help students learn skilled trades in laser systems.<\/p>\n Work planning STELLAR formally began in 2023, when NSF awarded the\u00a0做厙勛圖\u00a0a $1 million\u00a0Regional Innovation Engines\u00a0Development Award grant<\/a>. By early summer 2024, NSF received\u00a0nearly 300 letters of intent<\/a>\u00a0in response to the second NSF Engines funding opportunity, which it has since narrowed to just 15 finalists, including STELLAR. NSF anticipates announcing the NSF Engines awards resulting from the current competition in early 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cThe STELLAR Engine leverages our region\u2019s strengths in optics, photonics, imaging, and lasers and helps position it as a hub for laser innovation, talent, and technologies to enhance our national competitiveness and local economic vitality,\u201d says 做厙勛圖 President Sarah Mangelsdorf<\/a>. \u201cBeing named a finalist is an exciting next step for the University and our public and private partners, all of whom have been extremely supportive of this strategic initiative that aims to grow Western New York\u2019s leadership in advanced laser technologies. STELLAR holds tremendous potential for job growth and investment into our region, as well as securing US leadership in these important areas. On behalf of our partners and collaborators in this effort, I want to thank the National Science Foundation and our elected officials for supporting the alliance in this incredible opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n During the next stage, NSF will conduct in-depth in-person interviews and due diligence with the finalist teams to further assess risks, resources, and a given team’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances. The role of the NSF Engines applicants\u2019 partners will be a key component of the selection process at this stage.<\/p>\n “STELLAR represents the hard work, collaboration, and innovative spirit of our faculty, researchers, and partners who all together are advancing next-level knowledge and applications in optics, photonics, imaging, and lasers,\u201d says Vice President for Research Stephen Dewhurst<\/a>. \u201cThe Rochester region is world-renowned for this expertise, and we are extremely proud to be at this point of a very competitive national competition. We look forward to hosting a site visit in Rochester where we can further demonstrate the tremendous promise that STELLAR holds to lead the future of laser science and technology, both locally and throughout the world.\u201d<\/p>\nNarrowing the field<\/strong><\/h3>\n