Catalyzing the Rochester / Finger Lakes Region of New York’s Future in
Science,
Technology and
Engineering of
Laser and
Laser
Applications
Research
A U.S. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION REGIONAL INNOVATION ENGINE
Why lasers?
The laser was first theorized and demonstrated by American scientists and engineers, and the NSF STELLAR Engine in the Rochester/Finger Lakes Region of New York aims to help reassert American dominance in the crucial technology. An estimated $16 trillion global marketplace depends on lasers for everything from smartphones to national defense.
What makes STELLAR unique?
The NSF Engine will advance the Science, Technology and Engineering of Lasers and Laser Applications Research (STELLAR) for manufacturing, defense, communications and healthcare, strengthening U.S. competitiveness in global markets. Bringing together the region’s more than 150 laser and photonics companies, the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, The Institute of Optics—the nation’s original optics educational program—and a robust network of research, commercialization, workforce, and economic development partners, STELLAR will bolster innovations in lasers while expanding career pathways and entrepreneurship opportunities.
11
Counties in
New York State Served
91
Collaborating Academic, Industry, Government & Non-Profit Organizations
10x
Targeted Economic Growth
in 10 Years
WHY THE ROC/FLX REGION?
Density of talent and patent activity with specialized firms and workers second only to Silicon Valley
Optics Patents
#1 region for optics patents per 1,000 workers in the nation
Total Optics Degrees
Accounts for 60% of total optics degrees in the United States
Engineering & Technicians
#1 for engineering, engineering technologies, and technicians per capita
Supply Chain & Workforce
Top 5 for optics, photonics, imaging, and lasers (OPI+L) supply chain and skilled workforce (by Location Quotient)
150+ OPI+L companies
Recent STELLAR News
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Rochester is getting all the lasers
On WXXI’s “Connections,” regional leaders discussed Rochester becoming a national laser hub via the NSF STELLAR Engine. Based at Sibley Square, the initiative drives laser…
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Rochester’s STELLAR engine aims to bolster laser science and application for the region—and the United States
Rochester’s NSF STELLAR Engine aims to advance US laser science and competitiveness. Backed by up to $160M over 10 years, the regional partnership unites academia…
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$31M UR-led NSF STELLAR Engine initiative names CEO
Sujatha Ramanujan has been named CEO of the newly awarded National Science Foundation STELLAR Engine, a $31 million initiative led by the University of Rochester…
NSF Engine Coalition
Leadership Organizations
