Celebrating the International Day of Light 2025, the Sydney Photonics Industry Network (SPIN) and Wrays Intellectual Property hosted the SPIN annual networking event during the Sydney Vivid Festival – a festival of light, music and ideas.
Set against the backdrop of the renowned Sydney Harbour and the vibrant Vivid installations, the photonics community came together to connect and reconnect with colleagues across the field.
The group also heard from Wrays’ Principal Patent Attorney, Dr. Phil Burns, as he shared the history of Vivid Sydney and explored how photonics had helped shape the spectacular displays lighting up the harbour!
Event Details
Date: 5th June 2025
Time: 6-9 PM AEST
Program
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Reception and Sign-in
6:30 PM – 6:45 PM
Welcome Address
Dr. Katie Chong
6:45 PM – 7:00 PM
Lighting the Future: Turning Photonics Innovation into Vivid Sydney’s Next Big Dream
Dr. Phil Burns
As Vivid Sydney 2025 approaches, it’s exciting to reflect on the journey from Smart Light Sydney to today’s globally recognised festival of light, music, and ideas. Initially envisioned as a low-energy light festival by Sydney-based lighting designer Mary-Anne Kyriakou, Vivid has evolved into the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-art form event, setting benchmarks for innovation and sustainability. This transformation is driven by photonics technologies, from high-brightness laser projectors to interactive light installations that captivate audiences.
In this context, we explore how cutting-edge photonics—ranging from quantum light sources to metasurfaces—plays a pivotal role in bringing these dazzling experiences to life. Through strategic collaboration and intellectual property protection, like photonics patents, researchers and innovators can position their work to power the next generation of Vivid installations. With sustainability at its core, Vivid remains committed to reducing its environmental impact while inspiring creative breakthroughs. Tonight, we invite you to share your work and ideas, igniting new partnerships that could help bring the next ‘Vivid dream’ to life on Sydney’s iconic skyline.
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Networking Session
Speaker
Dr Phil Burns
Dr Phil Burns is a Principal Patent Attorney with over 20 years’ experience, securing IP in fields such as photonics, bio-photonics, optical physics, laser technologies, software, medical devices, semiconductor devices and fabrication methods, quantum systems and devices and more.
Prior to working at Wrays, Dr Burns managed the IP portfolio for Bluglass Pty Ltd including preparation of patent applications for their novel RPCVD semiconductor fabrication methods, and novel semiconductor device architectures. Dr Burns has a PhD in Physics, a Master of Industrial Property, and a Bachelor of Technology in Optoelectronics.
Statistics
70+
In-Person
Attendees
35+
Organisations
Represented
68%
Industry Presence
29%
Academic Presence
Gallery
Sponsors
