3.1

Constructing a graduate curriculum in Laser Manufacturing

Major research specialties in Laser Manufacturing include: advanced laser manufacturing technology, micro-nano optics, new laser and optoelectronics technologies, biomedical photonics, and much more. Fundamental degree courses for Academic Masters include introduction to laser science and engineering, optoelectronics, advanced optics, numerical analysis, mathematical statistics and stochastic process, etc., requiring at least 6 credits; Professional degree courses including: experimentation with advanced laser manufacturing, laser micro-nanofabrication technologies, laser technology and devices, non-linear optics and so on, requiring at least 4 credits. Elective courses include: laser safety and radiation protection, laser joining technique, laser processing materials metallurgy, laser rapid prototyping technique, laser material processing technique, semiconductor laser technology, laser parameters test techniques, ultrashort laser pulse technique, biophotonics, all-solid-state laser technology, scientific literature retrieval and applications and technical writing for engineers and so on, requiring at least 10 credits. For the purpose of constructing the above courses, we edit a series of textbooks for postgraduates in the field of laser manufacturing, including: Advanced Manufacturing Technology in the 21st Century ---Laser Technology and Engineering, Laser Welding of High Strength Aluminum Alloy, Laser Manufacturing Technology, Laser Manufacture Process, Laser Principles and Technology, Laser Frequency Conversion and Extension, Advanced Laser Manufacturing Experiment, among which three of them are listed as “Excellent Textbooks” in Beijing higher education.

3.2

Strengthen the industry-university-research cooperation

The National Industry-university Research Center for Laser Technology was constructed in 1995, which was authorized by the State Commission of Economy and Trade, the State Commission of Education and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It includes more than ten laser manufacturing experiment halls (shown below), laser processing for non-metallic materials laboratory, high power semiconductor laser technology laboratory, the high power fiber laser technology laboratory, excimer laser micro-processing laboratory, femtosecond laser micro processing laboratory, joint research center for advanced manufacturing technology established by BJUT and Bluestar Chemical Machinery co., Ltd. (Beijing), picosecond laser technology joint laboratory established by BJUT and Beijing G&K Laser Technology co., Ltd. It is orientated as a research and development center for laser manufacturing technology and systems, a demonstration center on laser manufacturing engineering, a service center for laser manufacturing technology, a center of moving laser manufacturing laboratory work into the industrial sector of, a talent training center for laser manufacturing technology.

Fig. 1

Experimental Hall of Laser Manufacturing

On the basis of the industry-university-research cooperation, we combine talent cultivation and basic research with major engineering projects for technical transformation in enterprise. For example, Prof. Zuo Tiechuan had led a key project Theory and Technology for High-power CO₂&YAG Laser 3D Welding and Cutting supported by National Science Foundation and in the meantime she cooperated with China First Automobile Group corporation and developed 3D laser processing technology for coating parts of the car body. Developing from high-power laser transmission theory, they completed the design of the long-span 3D laser processing system. Through independent development and application of 3D laser processing CAM software, they realized the automatic programming and control of the laser 3D processing track on the coating parts of the car. With the help of a self-developed laser processing expert system, the technicians in enterprise can easily guarantee the quality of 3D laser welding.

Through this technological innovation, they greatly reduced the original number of molds needed to develop a new model and shortened the development cycle, making it flexible enough to produce a variety of automobile styles.

With Four doctoral students and three master students being assigned to the front line of the project, both teachers and students worked and studied together during the research, not only enhancing their innovative abilities, but also improving their engineering qualifications and practical engineering abilities.

3.3

To boost international exchanges and cooperation

We are devoted to setting up international cooperation research bases. In 2001, approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology in China and Federal Ministry of Education in Germany, we established the Chinese-German Center of Laser Technology in Beijing University of Technology, which is designed to be a center of application in laser science and technology and a research center of international cooperation, an academic exchange center, a technical training and consulting service center and an equipment exhibition center as well.

BJUT-IPG Fiber Laser Application Eesearch Center was founded in 2009, which focuses research on optical fiber laser and its application and talents cultivation in related fields. In addition, we have established stable cooperation with several laser research centers, among which are Fraunhofer-Institut für Lasertechnik-ILT and Laser Zentrum Hannover in Germany, Cavendish Laboratory in University of Cambridge and Laser Institutions in University of Manchester in Britain. We undertook an ITER project (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), titled “Research on ITER correction SCC Coil Box of Laser Welding Technology.” In addition, a number of Sino-German cooperation projects of science and technology are being carried out.

Every year we invite more than ten internationally recognized scholars in the field of laser manufacturing to give academic lectures and more than twenty graduate students annually receive grants to participate in international academic conferences. No less than thirty graduate students have been invited abroad, funded by China-Germany Laser Technology Center, international Cooperation Projects and the China Scholarship Council. Through all these measures, the graduate students broaden their international perspectives, and move to the forefront of international laser manufacturing while improving their ability to engage in and contribute to the international dialog on laser manufacturing technology..

3.4

Encouraging Innovation

Inspirational Education. We introduce the life story of the Nobel Prize winners in the field of lasers on display boards and publicize the significant milestones and distinctive contributions of scientists. We host more than 80 academic lectures, such as Frontiers of Laser Technology and its Applications, Frontiers of Optical Science and Engineering and Engineering Master Forums. Under such circumstances, postgraduates form the habit of taking part in the advanced academic lectures. We also host Doctors and Masters Forums, supporting graduates’ participation in national Doctoral Forums and Academic Conferences.

Building a platform---The Laser Art Production Laboratory encourages graduate students’ independence and innovative spirit. This laboratory is autonomous and multi-discipline oriented. Autonomy means that students will form groups, select topics, explore and manage by themselves. Multidiscipline refers to synergetic innovation in the fields of Optical Engineering, Art Design, Control Science and Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, Management and Engineering and more, developing a series of crafts based on laser technology. We carry forward a pioneering spirit of working hard, fostering unremitting self-improvement, a pragmatic spirit of engineering orientation and a union of knowledge and action, a spirit of teamwork---openness and inclusiveness, while striving for the top.

3.5

Constructing the academic team

Through direct invitation and cultivation, we have developed a network of scholars and professors listed in the National Thousand Talents Program, in National New Century 10 Million Talents Project of the Ministry of Education and in the Beijing Overseas Talent Project, on the basis of which we make a great effort to construct a cross-disciplinary, well-structured and innovative academic team with advanced academic leaders. We require that teaching faculty join the teams, research areas belong to disciplines and equipment be included in the platform. We invite talents, operate, construct and assess on the basis of teamwork. With the mode of teamwork, we try to improve the team, undertaking significant scientific research project, setting a higher standard and promoting communication and cooperation. Currently there are 72 full-time teachers, 86% of whom have acquired doctor’s degree and 70% of whom have studied abroad. We have formed two Beijing Higher Educational Innovative Teams--- the Laser Manufacturing Academic Team and Energy Photoelectron Technology Team.