Foresight Workshop on Future Laser-Based Technologies in Riga

From 24-25 July 2023, the Laserlab-Europe community gathered in beautiful Riga, Latvia, for a Foresight Workshop to discuss promising technologies shaping the future of the laser cosmos. On the following day, the member representatives of the Laserlab-Europe association met for its General Assembly.

On the first day, Laserlab-Europe's Executive Director Jens Biegert welcomed the attendees from all over Europe (and beyond), emphasizing the focus of the event on networking and exchange and possible future collaborations. He then left the floor to the Expert Groups’ sessions on "Lasers for CleanEnergy" (moderated by Giulio Cerullo and Panagiotis Loukakos) and "Laser Science for CancerResearch" (moderated by Antonio Pifferi) with short input presentations and lots of fruitful discussions over the course of the afternoon.

The second day in Riga was all about discussions on the most promising laser-based technologies to open new fields of scientific, industrial and societal opportunities. After a welcome by Laserlab-Europe's project coordinator Sylvie Jacquemot and University of Latvia's Rector Prof. Indrikis Muiznieks, two successful collaborations of science and industry, the projects OPTIMAL and fastMOT, were presented by Dusan Chorvat and Antonio Pifferi.

The three following sessions on

environment & water (microplastics, nanoplastics and pollution)
photoacoustics
laserprocessing for materials structuring

with diverse interesting presentations led to a lot of productive discussions and exchange on ideas for new projects.

On 26 July 2023, the member representatives of the Laserlab-Europe association met for its annual General Assembly.

Watch the video summary here: https://youtu.be/sGRsn7yXyNc