Michigan launches photonics cluster

IPG Photonics, Rigaku and Advanced Photonix Inc. are among the members of Michigan’s new photonics industry cluster alliance. The organization, called Mi-Light, officially launched on April 10 with a meeting held to elect a board of directors. Michelle Stock of mlstock consulting was appointed the cluster’s chair.

In 2012, Mi-Light received $89,000 from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to kick off activities supporting the growth of the cluster. Mi-Light’s mission is to leverage its strong industrial and academic expertise to expand industry, attract funding and stimulate innovation in Michigan as well as stimulate collaboration among companies, academia and organizations to support and promote photonics-related business.

Other founding members, sponsors and partners include Fraunhofer USA, Laser Mechanisms Inc., L-3 Communications, Coherix, EMAG Technologies Inc., Grand Valley State University, Baker College, Visotek, Northwestern Michigan College, Data Optics Inc., The Ann Arbor section of the Optical Society of America, University Lowbrow Astronomers, the Lurie Nanofabrication Facility at the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor SPARK.