Altechna

There’s one specific thing that caught our attention on the news recently – the world’s first laser-driven neutron source (LDRS) for industrial use! 🏭 Non-destructive testing has been a challenge for companies that inspect infrastructure, from bridges to shipping containers. Traditional inspection methods rely on massive particle accelerators to generate neutron beams, which is not practical and is costly for many industries. It can also alter and damage examined objects. Last week, Focused Energy [1] announced a joint project that led to the development of the world’s first LDRS for industrial use! Why is it significant, you may wonder? First of all, it is a compact and cost-effective solution to do inspection [2]. Previously, particle accelerators were the only solution for such testing, but their large size and high operating costs made them inaccessible for many practical applications. LDRS technology is powered by lasers, and it has a smaller, more flexible system, which can be used in places where conventional methods do not work efficiently. If the tech is adopted, it will present new possibilities for industries that require detailed inspections non-destructively. How does it work in more detail? LDRS uses laser technology which produces high-energy neutron beams that can penetrate dense materials. The beams generate a clear "X-ray-like" view of complex structures. Companies can apply the method directly to large components or tightly sealed containers in a noninvasive way. But most importantly, such advancements will lead to novel use cases for businesses in various industries. Let’s take transportation, construction, or shipping industries, where LDRS could provide practical benefits. These industries can employ the technology to inspect large infrastructure projects such as bridges or pipelines to guarantee safety and structural integrity with no need for high expenditures or time-consuming disruptions. In logistics, it will help to check shipping containers for hazardous or illegal contents without opening or damaging them. References: [1] https://lnkd.in/dfFfpeir  [2] https://lnkd.in/dPs4g34H

Antanas Laurutis, our CEO, shared his insights on how photonics benefits the health sector and diagnostics in Lithuanian media, and it’s here for you to read! 🩺 It was published by the country’s national broadcaster, LRT. The article explores how the photonics industry is shifting patient medical diagnostics. It is highlighted that the laser industry has a huge impact on diagnosing cancer and by extension ensuring that patients get treatment sooner rather than later. “As you may know, patients with cancer may not afford such luxury as waiting for weeks and months and need to be treated before the cancer spreads. Saving time on detection equals saving the lives of cancer patients. This will become more evident when photonics is globally adopted soon,” Laurutis said. Follow the link in the comments to find out more about photonics and medical diagnostics!

Recycling of solar panels is a step forward towards green renewable energy production. But is there an easy way to do that? Let’s address the scope of this issue first. The US Environmental Protection Agency revealed that there will be as much as 1 million tons of solar panel waste by 2030 in the United States alone [1]. We have to find ways to improve their recyclability right away. However, recycling solar panels is difficult due to the polymers and plastics used in manufacturing the panels. They complicate the recovery of useful materials like silicon and silver, but there’s a way that could improve these processes - using lasers. To enhance the recycling process, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) created a method to extract plastic and polymers [2]. They developed and verified a theory demonstrating how the materials can be carefully removed without endangering the solar cells. Researchers could achieve that by using femtosecond lasers. They produce ultrashort light pulses, which precisely transfer energy to melt glass panels at the point of contact to fuse them. Most importantly, this eliminates the need for conventional plastic laminates and produces a solid, sealed bond. It also simplifies the end-of-life recycling process and makes separating and reusing materials such as silicon, metal, and glass easier. To improve the long-term sustainability of the renewable energy sector, we have to reimagine the process of recycling solar panels. Luckily, laser-based technology presents a solution to this challenge. With current technology, businesses can reduce landfill waste, cut disposal costs, enable recovery of materials and this way meet sustainability targets. All of this alongside creating new revenue streams. Altechna sees this as a major step toward making solar energy more circular and economically viable. #Solarenergy #Lasers #Renewableenergy #Sustainability #Greentech Sources: [1] https://lnkd.in/d6Jw4hwq  [2] https://lnkd.in/dFsxBnvs

We are excited to share that our global expansion is being discussed in Lithuanian media! In an interview with the Lithuanian broadcaster LRT, the head of LitCapital Šarūnas Šiugžda discussed Altechna’s acquisition of Alpine Research Optics and shared his insights on the growing opportunities in the American market. Alpine Research Optics, a high-precision optics manufacturer based in the US, was acquired last year. "The semiconductor industry is probably the most promising sector. Both Altechna and ARO have many clients in this segment. This area is highly sensitive in US foreign policy, with very large investments being made to bring it back to America and make it as independent from Taiwanese or Chinese suppliers as possible. We have a large customer base, so as the semiconductor industry further develops in the U.S., very good growth opportunities for our business open up," added Šarūnas Šiugžda. Interested to learn more? Follow the link in the comments to read the full interview in Lithuanian!

We are happy to share that our expertise in nuclear fusion is being highlighted not only globally, but also by the Lithuanian media. Our CEO, Antanas Laurutis, has shared his insights on what’s next for the green energy sector. His feature was highlighted on LRT, the biggest Lithuanian broadcaster, where he discussed how nuclear fusion can play a critical role in addressing the global energy crisis. As outlined in the article, the potential of nuclear fusion could drastically reduce environmental impact while offering an almost limitless supply of clean energy. Curious to learn more about the future of nuclear fusion? Follow the link in the comments to read the full article (available in Lithuania at this time!) ⚛️ #laserindustry #cleanenergy #nuclearfusion #innovation #technology #photonics #greenenergy

Yesterday, Science|Business featured Lithuania's laser ecosystem's ongoing growth and challenges! As a key player, Altechna continues to advance in this highly specialized field, aligning with global market trends and technological demands. Take a look at the key points outlined in this article: ● Lithuania’s laser industry has expanded from 20 to 60 companies over 25 years, now covering the full value chain. ● A critical focus remains on securing large end-users in sectors like automotive, medical devices, and semiconductors. ● Aside from the sectors above, we are strategically investing in defense applications and exploring opportunities in quantum computing. Get to know more about Lithuania’s laser market and Altechna’s addition to it - check the article link in the comments below!

Wound healing affects everyone, but what if we told you this process is going to become less and less stressful? It is only a matter of time before laser tech will change it. Here are a few interesting use cases to keep following: ➜ Ablative laser therapy for fast skin recovery The more conventional skin resurfacing methods, namely chemical peels and dermabrasion, have commonly resulted in lengthy recoveries, often up to and sometimes more than 2 weeks. Aside from that, it resulted in complications such as unnatural skin tone and texture. However, these issues can be effectively dealt with by utilizing ablative laser technologies. “El.En. S.p.A” has introduced a CO₂ laser system that is capable of precisely removing layers of damaged skin, which ensures faster healing and smoother skin. The CO₂ laser vaporizes the top skin layers and it helps regenerate new, and healthy skin. This laser prevents unnecessary damage to surrounding tissues, decreases recovery time, and minimizes complications by 50%. ➜ Bioprinting with lasers for wound healing recovery Laser-based 3D bioprinting will likely transform wound healing procedures due to its high resolution and the possibility of reconstructing even the most complex architecture of tissues. In this process, cells and biomaterials are deposited layer by layer using a laser that is guided by high-resolution patterning and closely mimics natural tissues. Simple liquid mixtures of cells and biocompatible material used for printing the tissues are called bioinks. Due to the precision of the laser, cells are put exactly where they are needed to improve tissue regeneration. Altechna’s clients are involved in the development of the innovations discussed in the post, and we are happy to contribute to their success!  #lasers #bioprinting #woundhealing #healthcare #skintreatment

Lasers are no longer used just for cutting through metals in manufacturing; they are now integrated into almost every industry, including art and design. Creative arts use tools with lasers embedded in them, allowing creators to express themselves in new ways.  By using lasers you can create more precise pieces of art than you would by using traditional methods. Imagine engraving microscopic patterns or perfectly cutting out delicate shapes. Lasers do it with great accuracy. What else are lasers used for in arts? ▸ Lasers can be used to restore historical artworks, such as the statue of George Washington [1]. Artists can do that by working on each layer of the statue separately and would not damage the original piece in the process. This is not cleaning, it is an accurate revival. ▸ Mileseey Technology Inc. is launching the Xtape 1, which is claimed to be the first modular digital laser tape measure, designed for creative professionals such as interior designers and DIY enthusiasts [2]. It combines traditional tape and laser measurements in one device. ▸ The field of 3D art made a huge leap forward since lasers were implemented. Lasers allow the creation of such complex and miniature sculptures [3], whose intricacies are beyond what the hands of most artists could manage to do. Sure, this is not meant to replace human hands but to enhance the work of artists to do tedious tasks that are part of the artistic process. But why should this matter to us? Beyond their use to increase creative potential, lasers also offer a greener alternative [4]. By cutting down on material waste and getting rid of the need for harmful chemicals, they're making art more sustainable. That, of course, is more than good news not only for artists but for the rest of us, too. Technology and creativity are meant to work together. Lasers are just an example of this, as what once was found in futuristic movies and books is now becoming a reality. #lasers #art #technology #3D #innovation #design Sources: [1] https://lnkd.in/dfmPvi-7 [2] https://lnkd.in/grsAmmua [3] https://lnkd.in/dzQkAsKg  [4] https://lnkd.in/dgkvQzvq

Yesterday Altechna's global leadership team met in #Vilnius for the important strategic session. We discussed plans for another round of acquisitions in the US. We also tried out some #Lithuanian tastes. Our team members were surprised to find out that bagels originated in Vilnius 🥯😱🇱🇹 Now they know! 😁 It was a great blend of business discussions and team building. Thanks for visiting Ed Yousse and Eli B. 🤗

What once seemed like science fiction is now becoming a reality: data centers in space. With our world’s demand for data skyrocketing, finding a secure, efficient, and eco-friendly way to store it has never been more urgent. ASCEND – a groundbreaking European study, backed by the EU, is showing us the way. This $2.1 million project found that launching data centers into space is not only technically and economically feasible but also environmentally friendly. Here’s why this matters: 🟣 Global electricity consumption by data centers is set to surpass 1,000 terawatt-hours by 2026. That’s equivalent to all of Japan’s electricity use. 🟣 ASCEND proposes placing data centers 1,400 km above Earth, where they can draw “infinite energy” from the sun. Imagine cutting cooling costs by 90% compared to Earth-based centers. 🟣 These space-based centers would be self-sustaining, powered by solar energy – a huge win for sustainability. The success of these space data centers depends on advanced photonics. This light-based technology would allow ultra-fast, reliable data transmission from space to Earth, making these centers as effective (if not more so) as those on Earth. At Altechna, we’re excited about what this could mean: 🟣 More security – storing data in space can significantly reduce vulnerabilities to physical and cyber threats, offering a new level of protection for sensitive industries like finance and healthcare. 🟣 Cost and efficiency gains – by utilizing solar power in space, businesses could cut cooling costs by up to 90%, boosting efficiency and freeing up resources for innovation. 🟣 Sustainability boost – space-based data centers can offer a cleaner, eco-friendly solution, helping companies reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to global sustainability efforts. #technology #datacenters #lasers #innovation #space #photonics