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Established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 1991, the Center for Ultrafast Optical Science (CUOS) conducts interdisciplinary research to investigate the production and application of ultrashort optical pulses. Advances in ultrafast optics are essential to the successful development of high-speed computers, fiber optics communications, biotechnology, medicine, and energetics. As part of its multi-faceted mission, the Center also educates graduate students, offers an ongoing program of K-12 outreach activities, and works with industry partners to develop, patent, and license new technology in the ultrafast time domain.

• Funding Sources
  The Center has an annual NSF operating budget of approximately $3 million. Additional support for special projects and activities is obtained through grants, in-kind contributions, and gifts from industrial associates.
  
  
• Administrative Staff
  A professional staff provides technical and administrative support for more than 80 graduate students, faculty members, and associated researchers. In addition to a full-time director, CUOS employs an associate director for Industrial Liaison.
  
  
• Advisory Committees
  An external Industrial Advisory Committee meets periodically to help guide decision making, offer a real-world perspective on pending issues, and assist with strategic planning. Academic oversight is provided by an internal Scientific Advisory Committee comprised of senior faculty and research scientists.
  
  
• Research Thrust Areas
  Ultrafast optical science research is collaborative in nature, drawing on the expertise of scientists and technologists in laser and optical physics, atomic and condensed matter physics, chemistry, optical fibers, electronics, materials science, biophysics, medicine, and other disciplines. Research activities at the Center are divided into five main areas:
  
  • Ultrafast optics
  • Ultrafast science
  • Ultrafast technology
  • High-field science
    
  • High-field technology
    
    
• Education and Training
  The Center's primary focus is on educating graduate students who are skilled in interdisciplinary research. CUOS also strives to broaden the pool of future scientists and engineers through innovative K-12 outreach programs.
  
  The Visiting Fellows Program at CUOS was initiated in 1993 to encourage the use of Center facilities by scientists and engineers nationwide. The program has a number of components: Sabbatical Fellows, Center Fellows, Visiting Scholars, workshops, and a speakers program. Each year, more than 50 scientists from academia and industry take advantage of this program to further their research, both individually and collectively.
  
  
• Commercialization and Patents
  The Center places a high priority on transferring technology to the marketplace. CUOS researchers have generated a continuous flow of patents, a number of which have resulted in commercial products such as novel laser technologies for the industrial market. The Center has also spawned several new start-up companies. The associate director for Industrial Liaison facilitates collaborations with industry and oversees product patenting and licensing. In addition, the College of Engineering and the state of Michigan have joined forces to help the Center launch and market new technologies.
  
  
• Industry Membership
  From its inception, CUOS has actively collaborated with industry in research, education, and technology transfer. Through its Industrial Associates Program (IAP), the Center interacts with more than 25 companies representing the optical, electronic, chemical, automotive, imaging, and medical industries. IAP provides assistance in forming and stabilizing new companies, organizing contractual projects between CUOS researchers and industry partners, and initiating and managing new patent applications. Industrial associates are also invited to participate in developing state-of-the-art ultrafast lasers and applications of new ultrafast pulse technology in the Center's Ultrafast Development Laboratory (UDL). In this facility, they can explore solutions to problems or test new products, with the goal of integrating ultrafast technology into their organization's commercial products and process lines. Industrial participation in the UDL requires a balanced contribution of financial and in-kind support. Fees are negotiated based on each company's areas of interest.

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