In this episode of 'Now Next and Beyond', Jeff Nolan interviews Dominic Loiacono, Vice President of the Crystal Materials Division, discussing the fascinating world of crystals. They explore the history, manufacturing processes, applications, and the science behind crystal growth, including the importance of curiosity and intuition in the field. The conversation delves into the various types of crystals, their optical properties, and the role of doping in enhancing their functionality. They also touch on the challenges faced in crystal production, the significance of human expertise, and the future of crystal technology, including potential innovations in space and the production of lab-grown diamonds.

In part two of this conversation, Martin Seifert discusses the fiber laser market, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and the role of Coherent in the industry. He highlights the importance of vertical integration and the benefits of having the entire ecosystem in-house. The conversation also touches on the significance of laser diodes for high-power laser applications and the potential for future advancements in power output and energy efficiency. The market dynamics, including competition from China, are explored, as well as the importance of customer trust and the role of customers in driving innovation. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future of the fiber laser market and the need for continuous innovation.

Fiber lasers have become powerful and popular due to their ease of use, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. The critical components of a fiber laser include diode pumps, brag gratings, a coil of fiber, cladding light strippers, connectors, and an electronic board. Technical advances and innovations in fiber lasers were driven by the telecom bust in 2000, which led to the exploration of new applications and the development of larger fiber cores and new dopants. Specialty optical fibers are purpose-specific for applications like medical, space, radiation-resistant, and high-power. Dopants play a crucial role in achieving specific goals in fiber lasers. The coil of fiber in a fiber laser replaces the optics for beam amplification and direction, making the mechanics of the system easier. Manufacturing fiber lasers is more cost-effective and simpler compared to traditional bench-top lasers. Cooling systems, beam delivery cables, and processing heads are essential components of a fiber laser system. The efficiency of a fiber laser affects cooling costs, and higher beam quality reduces the complexity and cost of the beam delivery system. Energy costs and environmental conditions are important considerations for customers using fiber lasers. Back reflection is a challenge in laser systems, but advancements have mitigated its impact. The complexity of processing heads depends on the use case, with welding heads being more sophisticated. Mastering the different components of a fiber laser is crucial for suppliers, but there is also the option to buy components from other vendors and assemble them.

In this conversation, Gerald discusses the lead times for shipping products, the lack of standards in the consumer electronics industry, the potential of AR/VR glasses becoming mainstream, the challenges and possibilities of glucose monitoring, the role of sensors in personal health monitoring, the impact of robotics in various industries, and the advancements in smart home devices.

In this conversation, Jeff Nolan interviews Gerald Dahlman, the vertical leader for consumer electronics at Coherent. They discuss various topics related to consumer electronics, including the definition of the market, the role of VIXEL technology, the growth potential of existing and new products, and the integration of AI and sensors in consumer devices. They also touch on the challenges of product qualification, the future of network architecture, and the potential for sensor innovation in laptops and desktops.

In part two of our series with Oliver Haupt, the conversation covers various topics related to display technologies, including eco-friendly materials, foldable and rollable displays, micro-LEDs, glass in displays, and displays in automotive and consumer devices. The use of cadmium compounds in current displays is a concern due to their environmental and health impact, but there is a shift towards more eco-friendly materials. Foldable and rollable displays are similar in architecture, but their applications differ. Micro-LEDs offer advantages such as smaller pixel size, durability, and integrated sensors. Glass is an essential component in displays, providing structural support, transparency, and electrical insulation. Displays in automotive and consumer devices are evolving, with OLED displays gaining popularity. The future of displays includes high-resolution, low-power options for home appliances. The SID exhibition showcases exciting developments in various display technologies.

In part one of our two part series with Oliver Haupt, the vertical market leader for display manufacturing, we discuss the exciting advancements and challenges in the industry. He highlights the constant evolution of display technologies and the thrill of working with new applications and state-of-the-art technologies. Oliver explains that while Apple's decision to discontinue their micro LED watch project was shocking, it did not kill the micro LED industry, as many companies are still working on it. He also provides insights into the different display technologies, such as OLED, QLED, and quantum dots, and their manufacturing processes. Oliver emphasizes the importance of factors like brightness, durability, resolution, cost, and color density in determining the success of a display technology. He also discusses the transition from Gen 6 to Gen 8.6 OLED manufacturing and the advantages of larger panels. Additionally, Oliver touches on the use of lasers in the manufacturing process and the industry's

interest in new laser technologies. Finally, he explores the future of display technologies beyond OLED, such as quantum dots and QLED, and addresses the challenges of material durability and blue light damage.

Summary:

In this episode, Dr. Majid Abbasi discusses various aspects of battery manufacturing, including global manufacturing capacity, challenges in anode and cathode materials, building a battery factory, the role of lasers in battery manufacturing, availability of rare metals, desirability of lithium, implications of battery breakthroughs, regulatory factors, impact on consumer devices, introduction to solid-state batteries, obstacles in solid-state batteries, cost per kilowatt, investment trends, and his passion for batteries.

Takeaways:

Battery manufacturing capacity has significantly increased in recent years, with new battery chemistries, recycling, and solid-state batteries driving further growth.

The availability of anode and cathode materials, such as lithium, graphite, and other metals, is a key factor in scaling up battery production.

Building a battery factory requires significant investment in R&D, equipment, and processes, with gigafactories being constructed to meet the growing demand.

Lasers play a crucial role in battery manufacturing, including welding, cutting, drying, and cleaning processes.

Solid-state batteries offer potential advantages in terms of safety and energy density, but face challenges related to lithium dendrite formation and manufacturability.

The cost per kilowatt of batteries is a critical metric, with a target of $100 per kilowatt being a common goal for affordability and accessibility.

Government regulations, incentives, and consumer demand are driving investment in battery manufacturing, with different regions experiencing varying levels of growth.

Battery technology is transforming various industries, including consumer devices, appliances, and transportation, enabling innovative designs and portability.

Battery manufacturers collaborate with companies like Coherent to address challenges, improve processes, and develop solutions for battery manufacturing.

Dr. Abbasi's passion for batteries stems from his background in metallurgy and welding, and his belief in the transformative power of battery technology.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:20 Global Manufacturing Capacity for Batteries

03:46 Challenges in Anode and Cathode Materials

05:10 Building a Battery Factory

06:07 Overview of Battery Manufacturing Process

08:26 Role of Lasers in Battery Manufacturing

10:54 Drying Process in Battery Manufacturing

11:53 Competing Methods for Welding and Cutting

14:17 Challenges in Pouch and Prismatic Cells

15:12 Advantages of ARM Laser in Battery Welding

18:05 Availability of Rare Metals for Batteries

20:04 Desirability of Lithium in Batteries

21:30 Switching Chemistries in Battery Manufacturing

22:00 Implications of Battery Breakthroughs

23:55 Regulatory Factors in Battery Manufacturing

28:43 Impact of Batteries on Consumer Devices

31:12 Introduction to Solid State Batteries

33:09 Obstacles in Solid State Batteries

35:09 Cost Per Kilowatt and Long-Term Implications

38:04 Investment Trends in Battery Manufacturing

40:04 Engagement with Battery Manufacturers

41:30 Passion for Batteries

Summary

In this episode of Now, Next, and Beyond, host Jeff Nolan discusses thermal management with Dr. Sridhar Nagarajan, an expert in the field. They explore the importance of thermal management in various industries, including automotive design, data centers, and consumer devices. They also discuss the challenges and innovations in engineering materials for thermal management. The episode emphasizes the need for energy sustainability and offers advice for young professionals in the field.

Takeaways:

Thermal management is crucial in industries such as automotive design, data centers, and consumer devices.

Engineering materials with high thermal conductivity and low coefficient of thermal expansion are essential for effective thermal management.

Maintaining optimal temperature ranges is important for efficiency and the longevity of systems.

Innovations in thermal management include advancements in chip-level cooling and the use of materials like diamond and silicon carbide.

Young professionals should focus on energy sustainability in their work.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Thermal Management

03:47 The Importance of Thermal Management

08:46 Engineering Materials for Thermal Management

14:01 Thermal Management in Automotive Design

16:29 Optimal Temperature Range and Efficiency

19:17 Thermal Management in Data Centers

22:37 Thermal Management in Consumer Devices

23:35 Thermal Management in Various Industries

26:20 Innovations in Thermal Management

31:42 Advice for Grad Students and Young Professionals

This is part two of the interview with Coherent CMO Sanjai Parthasarathi.