Fig. 1. Achieving carbon neutrality, a.k.a. “net zero,” will be the biggest technological challenge of the 21^st century. Image credit: Shutterstock (179238317).

Fig. 2. There are few more pure forms of photonics than the generation of electricity from sunlight absorbed through a semiconductor junction. Advances in photonics will incrementally increase the efficiency of silicon PV, and potentially make compound semiconductor PV viable. Image credit: Shutterstock (1115812136).

Fig. 3. As emphasized in the International Year of Light, off-grid PV is vital for improving education in developing countries, enabling study after dark without polluting kerosene lamps, with an immediate impact on improving health as well as longer term impact. Image credit: Handi Laksono, winner of the 2015 SPIE International Year of Light Photo Contest People’s Choice Award.

Fig. 4. As photonics innovators, we now need work harder than ever, so the efficiency of optical communications improves faster than combined bandwidth and latency capability. Image credit: Shutterstock (543151186).