Imec and TNO launch Holst Centre Photonics Lab
Imec and TNO have officially launched the Holst Centre Photonics Lab, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to integrated photonics research and development in the Netherlands. By advancing photonics research and fostering collaboration between industry and academia, the lab aims to bridge the gap between innovation and industrialization for applications in sectors such as automotive, healthcare, and data communications. The new lab is located at High Tech Campus Eindhoven and partly funded by PhotonDelta.
Accelerating photonics innovation
The launch of the Holst Centre Photonics Lab marks an important milestone in the Dutch commitment to integrated photonics innovation. Building on the PhotonDelta National Growth Fund plan initiative, which has propelled integrated photonics R&D in the Netherlands for over 2.5 years, the lab establishes a solid foundation for cutting-edge research and aims at fostering strategic collaboration between industry and academia.
By combining imec’s expertise in areas such as tape-out validation, on-chip laser development, system testing, and application validation with TNO’s strengths in laser characterization, free-space optics, and photonic chip integration, the lab brings together complementary capabilities across the full innovation chain. By enabling close collaboration from early research to real-world applications, this partnership is set to elevate photonics R&D in the Netherlands to a new level.
‘The Holst Centre Photonics Lab exemplifies how strategic funding and collaboration can accelerate photonics innovation, reinforcing the Netherlands' position as a global leader in the field.’
Strengthening the Dutch integrated photonics ecosystem
Integrated photonics is at the core of a wide range of emerging applications, from LiDAR in autonomous vehicles and non-invasive medical diagnostics to ultra-fast data communications and environmental sensing. The Holst Centre Photonics Lab offers the infrastructure needed to drive innovation in technologies such as connectivity and quantum, and in sectors including healthcare, agri-food, data communication and automotive.
Jesse Robbers, Director of imec at Holst Centre: ‘With this lab, we’re taking an important step toward strengthening the Dutch integrated photonics ecosystem. By combining our complementary expertise with TNO and working closely with PhotonDelta, we hope to create an environment where photonics innovations can move more effectively from lab to market.’
Ton van Mol, Director of TNO at Holst Centre: ‘The Holst Centre Photonics Lab exemplifies how strategic funding and collaboration can accelerate photonics innovation, reinforcing the Netherlands' position as a global leader in the field.’
Eelko Brinkhoff, CEO at PhotonDelta: ‘Having a dedicated R&D centre like Holst Centre Photonics Lab, is a key proof point of integrated photonics emerging as a critical enabling technology. It provides the essential infrastructure to accelerate the development and deployment of photonic chip-based applications, a vital step from innovation to market-ready solutions.’
With the establishment of Holst Centre in 2005 by imec (Belgium) and TNO (Netherlands), expertise in wireless sensor technologies and flexible electronics was brought under one roof at the High Tech Campus Eindhoven. The sharing of specific knowledge in an open structure, makes it possible to align research and innovation with societal impact in the fields of health & vitality, energy & climate and mobility & industry 5.0. To help solve those societal challenges, Holst Centre connects the Dutch Brainport region with a global ecosystem of industrial and academic partners. Using the expertise, knowledge and technologies of imec and TNO, technological innovations are developed so that the partner companies can take them to the market. Holst Centre now has around 200 employees.
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Janneke Hendrikx
Functie:Press officerSpokeperson for hightech industry & space and TNO Tech Transfer (spin-offs)
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