Summary
The CORNERSTONE Photonics Innovation Centre’s response to the Under the Microscope Parliamentary Inquiry highlights the strategic importance of silicon photonics in driving UK economic growth and technological innovation. It emphasizes silicon photonics’ advantages in energy-efficient telecoms, high-bandwidth data transfer, and AI applications, while also underscoring its potential in healthcare, defense, LiDAR, and quantum technologies. The response urges the government to support pilot lines—specialized facilities that bridge the gap between research and commercialization—helping the UK secure a leadership role in this emerging field. It also calls for long-term investment to sustain innovation, attract high-tech businesses, and reinforce the UK’s competitive edge in photonics.
The Southampton Marine & Maritime Institute (SMMI) has submitted evidence to the Under the Microscope Parliamentary Inquiry, highlighting the urgent need for a more ecologically informed approach to offshore wind (OW) development. While OW is essential for achieving net zero, SMMI emphasizes that rapid expansion without adequate consideration of impacts on seafloor biodiversity and marine ecosystem services could have unintended consequences. The submission calls for long-term, evidence-based policy that integrates ecological understanding into marine planning and aligns with the UK’s Environment Act biodiversity goals. It also highlights the ECOWind BOWIE project, led by Professor Martin Solan, which is developing a decision support system to guide sustainable OW development and help balance environmental, economic, and climate priorities.
Authors
CORNERSTONE Photonics Innovation Centre
The CORNERSTONE Photonics Innovation Centre is the UK’s leading technology hub for silicon photonics. We accelerate photonic innovation by bringing together tailored start-up support, engaging networking events, expert design consultancy, and flexible prototyping, backed by our open-source silicon photonics foundry.
We offer seven photonics technology platforms to accommodate a broad spectrum of applications, including telecoms, sensing, LiDAR, quantum, and more. Our unique approach allows us to assist in the development of early-stage R&D projects and build proof-of-concept prototypes, helping to drive silicon photonics innovation.
Southampton Marine & Maritime Institute
The Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) is a community of experts from across the University of Southampton and beyond that works to address challenges around the natural ocean environment and human use of the seas. Working in partnership with external stakeholders, we generate new collaborations, knowledge and ideas for businesses, governments, and organisations to develop wide-ranging solutions to ocean challenges. In doing so, we educate the next generation of leaders.
