Prof. Marco Piccardo, group leader at INESC MN, has been awarded an ERC Proof of Concept grant for the project HIGHLIGHT, focused on transferring metasurface-based laser control technologies toward real-world applications.

Funded with €150,000 for up to 18 months, the project builds on the ERC Starting Grant metaPOWER and aims to bridge fundamental photonics research with market-oriented innovation. The developed metasurfaces will enable unprecedented control of high-intensity laser beams, allowing light to be delivered with precision.

HIGHLIGHT explores aerospace-related applications, such as remote drone recharging and high-bandwidth optical communications between satellites, where efficiency, safety, and precise beam shaping are critical. The project has already attracted interest from industrial partners, underscoring its technological relevance.

The ERC Proof of Concept scheme supports the translation of frontier research into innovation, highlighting INESC MN’s role in advancing cutting-edge photonic technologies with societal and industrial impact.