Celebrating the Year of Glass: Reflecting on the role of glass in optics and society
Leah Poffenberger, Corporate Communications Manager, Optica
The United Nations has declared 2022 the International Year of Glass in recognition of the impact this versatile material has had in the world. The Year of Glass officially kicks off on February 10 during a two-day opening ceremony at the Palace of Nations in Geneva. Speakers from around the globe will illuminate the applications of glass, many of which we naturally consider part of optics and photonics. Beyond windows and doors, glass is an essential component in telecommunications, optical sensing, imaging and more, making it arguably one of the most important materials in the modern world.
From the creation of lenses in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia to the large-scale precision manufacturing of camera lenses in 20th century Japan, the production of optical components is tightly bound to the production of glass. High-quality lenses enabled the production of scientific instruments that revolutionized biology, astronomy, and fundamental physics. Light that glass once manipulated is now being used to manipulate glass itself.
Glass is the cornerstone of our interconnected world. In 1965, Manfred Börner developed the first working fiber-optic data transmission system. Years later, extremely low-loss glass enabled the creation of long-haul fiber systems, a development so important it was recognized with the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to Charles Kao. Today the world is connected by over 4 billion km of optical fiber (with.5 billion km added per year) through which 99% of the world’s internet traffic passes.
The 2022 International Year of Glass follows the example of the International Year of Light in 2015, a year of events to celebrate the achievements of light science and its applications. The International Commission on Glass, the Community of Glass Associations, and ICOM-Glass applied to designate a year of glass. Glass plays an important role in meeting many of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals: responsible production and sustainability; innovation and infrastructure; affordable and clean energy; climate action; unpolluted water and oceans; sanitation, health and well-being, in particular.
Organizations across the world will be holding events this year in celebration of glass, including a reception at the 2022 OFC Conference on 8 March. The Optica Publishing Group journal Optical Materials Express is publishing a special issue “Celebrating Optical Glass” in July.
Optica will be joining the US kick-off of the Year of Glass on April 7, the National Day of Glass, in Washington, DC, with an event featuring non-technical talks from industry experts, directors of government agencies and leaders in the field of art glass. Come participate and learn more about the modern miracle that is glass.
Follow along with the International Year of Glass 2022 Opening Ceremony with live-streamed talks, available on the IYOG website.
