Work With Us

The Centre for Photonics Expertise (CPE) works with companies in Wales to improve, or develop, new products and processes to benefit their businesses. It is a partnership of four Welsh Universities, and is funded by WEFO. CPE is designed to provide easy access to academic resource and facilities at no cash cost to the company.

” Photonics is the technology of light. It is integral to our daily lives through technology like smartphones, screens, telecommunications and LED lighting.

Photonics technology is found in a wide range of industry sectors such as: manufacturing, automotive, food, life sciences and energy. “

About Us

Wrexham Glyndŵr University – the lead partner for the project

As the lead partner for CPE, Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s team is based in the OpTIC Technology Centre in St Asaph. This facility is a hub for high-level opto-electronics technology and scientific innovation specialising in precision optical systems for aerospace and defence, space sciences, medical and astronomy markets.

Through CPE, businesses can have access to a range skilled expertise and state-art-facilities such as:

Thin film vacuum coating facility
Precision Optical Systems Design
Environmental testing chamber
Fibre Optic thermometry
Microwave technology, optimised system design, and processing of materials
Fabrication of Precision optical components
Opto-mechanical design and FE of Optical Systems assemblies
Metrology of complex optical surfaces
Spectroscopy

Bangor University

Has a long tradition of academic excellence and a strong focus on the student experience. Bangor University is ranked in the top 40 in the UK for research*, according to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014. The REF recognised that more than three-quarters of Bangor’s research is either world-leading or internationally excellent, ahead of the average for UK universities.

Laser Precision Engineering
Very small-scale precision systems for imaging, patterning, and sensing using Bangor Nanoscope and Superlens
Design and simulation (Anti-laser filter, THz, acoustics, and optical)
Semiconductor lasers
Microwave photonics

Aberystwyth University

Will work with West Wales and the Valleys’ manufacturing companies through knowledge exchange on the potential of software to improve their competitiveness, and, will support them in achieving the potential benefits through collaborative projects.

Interaction of Radiation with Matter
Thin films, Surfaces, Interfaces and Nanomaterials
Surface Analysis
Solar and Planetary Science
Planetary Exploration Instruments
Optical and X-ray Instruments
HPC and Radiation Modelling
Image Processing

University of South Wales

The University of South Wales (USW) has three campuses across the South Wales region: Pontypridd, Cardiff and Newport. USW works with industrial partners across many different sectors to deliver collaborative research that is both relevant and which provides solutions to the industrial challenges of today.

The USW CPE team is led by Professor Nigel Copner, who also chairs the Wireless and Optoelectronics Research and Innovation Centre (WORIC), and co-led by Hefin Rowlands, Professor of Quality Management. The team specialise in the design and implementation of optical systems across a variety of sectors such as manufacturing, medical and life sciences. Furthermore their expertise in manufacturing principles can support businesses looking to streamline their processes.

Below are specific areas where the team can help to support your business needs:

LEDs: Lighting and illumination
Laser systems (e.g. tunable lasers, high power lasers) design, implementation, and commercialization
Optical measurement system – design and implementation
Optical design and modelling
Prototyping of Optical Systems
Aspects relating to Quality Management and Quality Engineering
Continuous improvement process development
Application of Quality tool and techniques for process and product improvement