Center for Freeform Optics Archives - News Center

artists conception shows a close-up of a face wearing glasses with a square grid of different colored rays being projected onto the inside of one of the glasses's lenses.

Science & Technology

A new way to make AR/VR glasses look more like regular glasses

Rochester researchers are combining freeform optics and a metasurface to avoid ‘bug eyes’ in AR/VR glasses and headsets.

Jannick Rolland in her lab surrounded by lenses and other optical equipment.

University News

Jannick Rolland named fellow of National Academy of Inventors

December 8, 2020

The director of the Center for Freeform Optics holds more than 50 patents and is considered a pioneer in optical applications in augmented and virtual reality.

Jannick Rolland in her lab surrounded by lenses and other optical equipment.

From a dancer’s form to freeform optics

Jannick Rolland, director of the Center of Freeform Optics, has 35 patents to her name and is listed among the top women pioneers in augmented and virtual reality.

Aaron Bauer at a workbench looking at a design on his laptop

Science & Technology

Collaborative ‘back and forth’ drives progress on freeform optics

October 18, 2018

With a second five years of funding from the National Science Foundation, the Center for Freeform Optics is a collaboration working to develop devices that are lighter, more compact, and more effective than ever before.

Aaron Bauer in his lab holding glasses and surrounded by lenses

Science & Technology

New method eliminates guesswork when lenses go freeform

Lenses and mirrors with freeform rather than symmetric can lead to optical devices that are more effective than ever before. A new design method would eliminate the expensive trail-and-error needed to work with freeform optics.

student in a lap holds glasses and sits in front of a mirror

As Center for Freeform Optics grows, so do opportunities for students

November 10, 2016

Since its 2013 launch under an award from the National Science Foundation, CeFO has been shaping the future of optical instrumentation on a global scale, and has more than doubled the number of partner companies in just this past year.

Jannick Roland works with a graduate student in a lab

Science & Technology

New Partnership Advances Freeform Optics

Freeform optics could transform 21st century optical science, allowing for a wider range of shapes for lenses and mirrors, which in turn may revolutionize mobile displays, LED lighting, remote sensing devices and astronomical instrumentation.