As an open-access silicon photonics foundry and innovation hub, we are proud to play a part in building capability across the sector. The PIC Bootcamp reflects that mission in action, helping researchers, engineers, start-ups and industry professionals build the skills and confidence needed to develop the next generation of photonic technologies. Why PIC Bootcamp was…
Author: sarah
Why the International Day of Light Matters More Than Ever!
Every year on the 16th May, the world celebrates the International Day of Light, formally established by UNESCO, highlighting the fundamental role of light-based technologies in advancing science and innovation. It invites people worldwide to get involved in activities that highlight how science, technology, art, and culture contribute to UNESCO’s aims, such as promoting education,…
Exploring Polarisation and Silicon-Based Microfabrication: A Photonics Skills Workshop
The CORNERSTONE Public Engagement Team, in collaboration with partners in Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southampton and IntoUniversity recently hosted another interactive STEAM workshop for Year 8 pupils from Regents Park Community College. This workshop was part of our ongoing public engagement programme, which aims to build skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm in physics and photonics, helping to encourage a…
The route to scalable, error-free silicon photonics: Professor Frederic Gardes Authors Blog Post for Computer Weekly
For silicon photonics to scale across modern AI and data centre infrastructure, it must behave like a standard mass-produced chip. Light can move data faster than electrons, but making photonic systems ‘boring’ enough for reliable, high-volume deployment without constant recalibration remains the real challenge. In this guest blog for Computer Weekly, Frederic Gardes, co-investigator at…
Bringing Photonics to Life at Science and Engineering Day 2026
On Saturday 14th March, the CORNERSTONE Public Engagement Team took part in Science and Engineering Day 2026 at the University of Southampton, bringing hands-on photonics activities to families, students, and attendees across the campus. For this year’s event, CORNERSTONE piloted a new outreach activity designed to help visualise the concept of silicon photonics waveguides: the…
Exploring Light and Colour: A Photonics Skills Workshop
The Cornerstone Public Engagement Team, in collaboration with partners in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Southampton, recently hosted an interactive STEAM workshop for pupils from Redbridge Community School, blending hands-on creativity with scientific exploration. STEAM—standing for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics—encourages students to learn by doing, connecting ideas across disciplines in a…
Our Team Made a Music Video (Yes Really!)
Some teams do Secret Santa… ours makes music videos! Meet Band Gap, CORNERSTONE’s mysterious musical collective, look closely and you might spot some familiar faces… We had a blast creating this video, and we hope you enjoy it as much as our team enjoyed making it. As we will soon be stepping into the festive…