A WORLD-LEADING laser centre in Glasgow has expanded after securing a further £800,000 in funding.
Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP), which leases six laboratories and space for around 80 employees and doctoral students, has grown exponentially since it was established in 2012.
Scientists at the facility specialise in creating lasers and optical systems to help crack complex challenges in industries such as security and defence, healthcare, renewable energy and communications.
Fraunhofer CAP is currently housed in the University of Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre and has expanded into the second floor of the university's neighbouring Inovo Building - doubling its lab and office capacity.
The expansion comes after the Scottish Government decided to award Fraunhofer CAP an additional £500,000 of funding this year, with Scottish Enterprise also giving an additional £300,000 to further develop its pioneering work in rapidly growing markets.
Business Minister Richard Lochhead visited the lab on Tuesday, where he said the Scottish Government is a proud supporter of Fraunhofer CAP, having provided core funding for the Institute since its inception in 2012.
He said: “As the only Fraunhofer in the UK, it plays an important role in turning cutting-edge research into real-world industrial solutions across critical industries.
“I am pleased that increased Scottish Government funding this year has helped it expand operations in Glasgow, increasing its capacity to support vital projects across energy, net zero and space, while growing Scotland’s Critical Technologies Supercluster.
“The Supercluster is strategically important to the Scottish economy and the Scottish Government will continue to support the incredible capability, talent and innovation across the industry as it pursues ambitious growth over the coming decade.”
Fraunhofer, named after German physicist Joseph von Fraunhofer, is the name given to a network of research organisations across the world considered the gold standard when it comes to innovation.
Fraunhofer CAP helps provide support for student training, carries out research and development, and also wins contracts and grants. In the last year alone, it delivered more than £5 million of research and development projects for industry.
Recently The Scottish Government convened the industry-led Scottish Critical Technologies Supercluster Advisory Board to progress and promote key technical areas in which Scotland excels, such as photonics, quantum technologies, semiconductors and sensing, all areas in which Fraunhofer CAP is heavily involved.
Simon Andrews, executive director of Fraunhofer UK Research said the facilities photonics and quantum expertise has helped Scotland’s industry stay at the forefront of innovation.
He said: “We have proven the success of the Fraunhofer model here in Scotland, as evidenced by the large number of projects we deliver for industrial partners.
“Our photonics and quantum expertise is helping industry stay at the forefront of innovation and this ministerial visit demonstrates the importance of the part we have to play in the economy.
"Both The Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise are key stakeholders for our organisation and have provided support since our inception in 2012."
