StuffMadeinMA.com • 2 0 1 8 • S T U F F 31
Ultra-fast light particles
The Future Leaders program Daudlin participated in is part of the
American Institute of Manufacturing Integrated Photonics, or AIM
Photonics. While the whole institute is based in Rochester, N.Y., its
educational arm, AIM Academy, is headquartered in Cambridge
and affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Julie Diop, program manager for the AIM Academy, said the
discipline of integrated photonics involves using photons – ultra-
fast light particles – for a range of tasks. Photon-based sensors can
detect abnormalities in blood or impurities in water. Some photonic
systems can replace electronic ones, moving data faster and more
efficiently. Others offer a way of communicating between military
planes, or between an ambulance and a street light that needs to
turn green to let it through the intersection. LiDAR – light
detection and ranging – devices bounce photons off objects to map
three-dimensional objects, potentially changing the future of
transportation.
"Any kind of driverless car technology will be using this way of
looking at surroundings," Diop said.
Through the academy, Daulin took part in a paid internship,
putting his theoretical understanding of physics to practical use
building simulations and then sharing his work with other students
at a conference.
"It was a good networking opportunity, a great work opportunity,"
he said.
AIM Academy
Location: Cambridge
College affiliation: MIT
Founded: 2016
Purpose: To offer education and workforce
development in photonics, including summer
and winter academies for students and industry
professionals
P H O T O / C O N T R I B U T E D
Stuart Daudlin
Jacob Bouchard, a student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, attended the photonics summer academy at MIT.
