Head of the Institute

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Schmidt

Institute of Photonic Technologies (LPT, Prof. Schmidt)

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Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Schmidt holds the chair of the Institute of Photonic Technologies since its founding in 2009 at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). He received his doctoral degree on the topic “Process control of laser spot welding in electronics production” in 2002. Following his engagement in its executive board, he leads the Bayerisches Laserzentrum GmbH (blz GmbH) as managing director since January 2005. His current research interests include laser application from micro- to macroscopic scale within the fields of industrial manufacturing, additive manufacturing and medical engineering.

Professor Schmidt is an active member of several research national and international groups and committees:

​International:

  • INO – Institute National d’Optique, Québec, Canada:
    • ​Associate Researcher (since 2011)
    • Member of R&D Advisory Committee (since 2011)
  • CIRP:
    • Chairman Collaborative Working Group: Laser in Production (2013 – 2015)
    • STC-E: Chairman (2020 – 2022)
    • Associate Member (since 2014)
  • LIA Laser Institute of America:
    • Program committee ICALEO: Laser-Micro-Fabrication Conference
    • Member of the Board of Directors (2010 – 2012; 2014 – 2016; 2017 – 2019)
  • SPIE:
    • Student Chapter in University of Erlangen-Nürnberg: Advisor (since 2011)
  • Journal of Laser Micro and Nanoengineering (JLMN): Editor (since 2012)
  • International Journal of Optomechatronics: Associate Editor (since 2010)
  • Journal Optics and Laser Technology:
    • Associate Editor (2015 – 2016)
    • ​Receiving Editor (since 2016)
  • LPM Laser Precision Microfabrication conference of JLPS Japan Laser processing Society:
    • Program committee (since 2011)
    • Fellow Conference Co-Chair (since 2017)
  • CLEO Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics: Program committee (Applications & Technology 04: Industrial Subcommittee) (since 2012)
  • ISEM-XVII – International Symposium for Electro-Machining: Scientific Committee (since 2012)
  • Annual International Conference of RAPDASA, the Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa: Organizing Committee (2014, 2016)
  • VRAP International Conference on Advanced Research in Virtual and Rapid Prototyping: Scientific Committee (2015)
  • IAMA International Additive Manufacturing Award 2016: Member of the jury (2016)​
  • ICAFT / SFU / AutoMetForm Conference: Scientific Committee (2018)
  • SheMet Conference: International Scientific Committee (2019)
  • THE A coatings Conference: International Scientific Program Committee (2019)

National:

  • SAOT – Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies in der Exzellenzinitiative der DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
    • Co-Coordinator: 2010 – 09/2013
    • Coordinator: since 10/2013
  • WLT Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft Lasertechnik e. V. (AG Ing.)
    • Präsident der WLT (2017 – 2020)
    • LiM Konferenz: General chair 2011, sub-chair (2009, 2013, 2017, 2019)
  • bayern photonics e.V., München: Vorstandsvorsitzender (since 2007)
  • Group “networking research”, Bavaria: Vice Chairman (since 2012)
  • BFS: Bayerische Forschungsstiftung:
    • ForNextGen: Collaborative Research Project: Chairman (2014 – 2017)
  • Förder- und Freundeskreis zum weiteren Ausbau der Lasertechnologie an der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg: Member
  • LANE – Laser Assisted Net Shape Engineering Conference: Organizer / Chairman (since 2007)
  • EDPC-Conference: International Conference Committee (since 2012)
  • IWOTE 2017 – 5th International Workshop on Thermal Forming and Welding Distortion: Advisory committee
  • Acatech Deutsche Akademie der Technikwissenschaften e. V.: Member (since 2017)
  • SFB 814 Additive Fertigung: Deputy Speaker (since 2017)
  • BIAS – Bremer Institut für Angewandte Strahltechnik GmbH: Scientific Advisory Board (2019 – 2023)
  • WGP – Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Produktionstechnik e.V.: Member (since 2019)
  • Sill Holding GmbH.: Advisory Board (2020)
  • Innovationscampus “Mobilität der Zukunft” (ICM), Badem-Württemberg: Advisory Board (2020)