Mobile Photonics Lab - Europe

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The compact design of the Mobile Photonics Lab bike makes it easily maneuverable for tight campus roads and paths.

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This mobile lab visits schools and community events across Europe, providing immersive, hands-on photonics learning experiences!

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The “Make Music with Light” experience uses a piano to make sound visible via lasers then converts it into music on the speaker!

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The bike is powered and staffed by Thorlabs team members from around Europe.

Mobile Photonics Lab - Europe

Thorlabs envisions a world where photonics is accessible for all. To achieve this, we are actively developing new educational initiatives worldwide providing awareness, access, and advancement within the photonics community.

In September 2023, we debuted the Mobile Photonics Lab Experience at our Headquarters in Newton, NJ, which continues its journey across the U.S. throughout 2024. This mobile lab visits schools and community events, providing immersive, hands-on photonics learning experiences.

Meanwhile, our efforts are extending internationally as we adapt this model to serve students in Europe. The introduction of a mobile lab on three eco-friendly wheels aligns with our commitment to sustainability, ensuring minimal environmental impact as we continue to share photonics education. In Europe, where space is often limited on university campuses, our mobile lab's compact design is well-suited. This mobile lab is easily maneuverable and akin to a friendly arrival on a bike, carrying the equipment and people needed to facilitate learning experiences.

Our mobile labs are about more than reaching destinations; they raise awareness and provide access to the equipment and people needed to generate advancement within the photonics community.

Want to learn more about our related initiatives?

Past Events

Trip #3: Göteborg, Sweden

The Mobile Photonics Lab's third trip saw it visit Göteborg, Sweden. The bike embarked from the Thorlabs Sweden office and traveled to the Optics & Photonics in Sweden tradeshow at Lindholmen Science Park, where it exhibited for two days. Afterwards, the team traveled to the University of Gothenburg for a demonstration before visiting the Chalmers University of Technology.

Route

Lindholmen Science Park
→ University of Gothenburg → Chalmers University of Technology

Mileage Tracker

17 km

Lindholmen
Science Park

9 AM - 3 PM

Lindholmen
Science Park

9 AM - 3 PM

Chalmers University of Technology

10 AM - 3 PM

University of
Gothenburg

10 AM - 3 PM

Trip #2: Ely, United Kingdom

The Mobile Photonics Lab's second trip saw it travel to the UK to tour Ely and Cambridge, just in time for Cambridge University's Freshers Week. This trip was intended to mirror our inaugural journey, covering approximately 66 km. Throughout the week, the team cycled from our office in Ely, visiting Cambridge University and The Trinity Centre, and concluded the tour at Witchford Village College, where they spoke to students about the concept of 'energy.'

Route

Thorlabs Ely → University of Cambridge → The Trinity Centre → 
Witchford Village College

Mileage Tracker

66 km

University of
Cambridge

10 AM - 4 PM

Thorlabs Ely

9 AM - 1 PM

Witchford Village
College

10 AM - 3 PM

The Trinity Centre

1 PM - 4 PM

Trip #1: Munich, Germany

In May 2024, we embarked on our first route, covering a total distance of 77 km across four transfers! This journey marks a significant milestone as we deepen our engagement with European communities, empowering them with the tools and knowledge necessary to embrace photonics.

Route

Thorlabs GmbH → Garching →
München → Martinsried

Mileage Tracker

77 km

Mensa Campus
Garching

11 AM - 3 PM

Thorlabs GmbH

11 AM - 1 PM

LMU Mensa
Martinsried

11 AM - 3 PM

Mensa Hochschule München

11 AM - 3 PM