Munich, Germany, will become a global hub for laser and photonics innovation from June 23 to 27, 2025, as it hosts the CLEO®/Europe-EQEC Conference alongside the Laser World of Photonics trade fair
The event provides a unique platform for showcasing cutting-edge research and industrial technology, demonstrating how photonics is transforming sectors ranging from healthcare to environmental sustainability.
EU funded photonics innovation
A significant part of the innovation this year is the active participation of several EU-funded photonics projects supported by Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, flagship research and innovation programmes managed by HaDEA.
These projects will be featured across conference sessions, keynote presentations, workshops, and exhibition booths, providing visitors with a firsthand look at the latest developments in laser technology and its applications.
Photonics innovation: Medical diagnostics and imaging
Projects such as SWEEPICS and FAIR CHARM are pushing the boundaries in medical diagnostics.
SWEEPICS is pioneering a new generation of swept source lasers, enabling non-invasive, high-resolution imaging for faster and more accurate medical diagnostics. Its technologies are personalised for applications like smart microscopes and multimodal imaging systems, targeting breakthroughs in biomedical research.
Meanwhile, FAIR CHARM is enhancing multiphoton microscopy to deliver real-time insights into biological processes. By improving the depth and speed of imaging, the project’s technologies, SWIM and SLIDE, provide more comprehensive views of cellular structures and disease mechanisms, thereby supporting advanced therapeutic research.
Innovation in environmental and gas sensing
Environmental monitoring is another key focus. The BROMEDIR project is developing compact sensing platforms using photothermal spectroscopy (PTS) and silicon Fabry-Pérot Interferometers, with applications in gas detection across multiple domains. At the exhibition, BROMEDIR will debut a prototype FTIR spectrometer, showcasing its potential for real-world sensing tasks.
SYMPHONY is also driving progress with cloud-connected, multi-target sensors for air quality and pollution monitoring. As the leader of the ECREAM cluster, it promotes synergies in environmental and food monitoring technologies and will be present with a dedicated booth.
Greener, smarter manufacturing
Sustainability and smart manufacturing feature prominently at the fair. METAMORPHA is developing a versatile ultrashort pulse (USP) laser platform designed to replace polluting industrial processes.
The project coordinates the LIMES cluster, uniting several EU initiatives, including OPERATIC, OPTIMAL, and INSHAPE, which focus on sustainable laser-based manufacturing. These projects will share insights at joint workshops and an exhibition booth.
Lasers4MaaS is reimagining manufacturing through a Lasers-as-a-Service model. Combining dynamic laser beam shaping with AI-driven production, the project supports flexible, on-demand manufacturing. Applications range from laser welding in the automotive industry to fabricating components for renewable energy systems, offering scalable and efficient industrial solutions.
High-speed data infrastructure
In the data and telecoms space, DYNAMOS is building a reconfigurable photonic data centre network that boosts performance and energy efficiency. With the rise of distributed machine learning and high-performance computing, the project addresses a critical bottleneck, speeding up data exchange between computing clusters. Its modular and scalable optical network architecture could significantly reduce latency and energy costs in digital infrastructure.
The future of photonics
Together, these projects show the potential of European research in lasers and photonics. Whether it’s reshaping manufacturing, safeguarding the environment, or enabling better diagnostics, their presence at CLEO®/Europe-EQEC and Laser World of Photonics 2025 underscores the EU’s commitment to technological innovation and sustainability.
