Photonics & Optics
UCF is one of the best places to study Photonics!

Photonics can be likened to electricity: Electricity uses electric current as a source of power, and photonics uses radiant energy, such as light. In other words, photonic applications use the photon in the same way that electronic ones use the electron. The UCF Chemistry Department is among the few academic departments, nationally, that researches photonic technology, and it is building one of the top-ranked photonic materials programs in the country.

Current Photonics Research

	High-Density Data Storage We pioneered the development of new materials for 3-D lithography and multilayer 3-D optical data storage and displays, resulting in seminal publications in the field and a number of patents.
	Photodynamic Cancer Therapy Photodynamic therapy works by injecting patient's with light-sensitive cancer-fighting drugs. These chemicals disperse through the patient's entire body, but remain inactive until they encounter a special light.
	Bio-Terrorism Sensors We are also developing sensors that can detect chemical and biological agents, like Anthrax.
	Artificial Muscles: Plastics that Change Shape We are creating macromolecules (i.e., plastics) that change shape when exposed to magnetic fields. These artificial muscles will likely be used in next-generation miniaturized mechanical devices, like robots.