Associate Professor at DTU Fotonik Michael Galili receives the Jorcks Fonds Research Award. He is awarded for his work to improve the efficiency of optical communication systems - in particular in terms of energy efficiency.
"His research is at the highest international level," states the motivation of Michael Galili as receiver of Jorcks Fonds Research Award, granted by Reinholdt W. Jorck og Hustrus Fond. The motivation continues:
"The level of his research is emphasized by the many invitations he has received to write scientific review articles about his research. Michael Galili is an invaluable employee at the department, where he tirelessly contributes to teaching, research and even the work environment."
On 6 December, Associate Professor at DTU Fotonik Michael Galili was presented with Jorcks Fonds Research Award by Supreme Court President Thomas Rørdam.
"It is incredibly encouraging to have the work we do recognized in this way. We always try to address research topics which are of both academic interest and societal relevance," says Michael Galili.
Improving the invisible infrastructure
"The power consumption of the worlds growing communication infrastructure," Michael Galili says, "is an important example of such a topic, which poses both societal challenges and interesting research questions. It is encouraging to find that Reinholdt W. Jorck og Hustrus Fond agrees that the challenge is important and acknowledges our contribution to addressing it."
The worlds communication infrastructure is hidden from sight for most people. That makes it easy to forget that this is a huge infrastructure, created in only a few decades.
"The Internet and related IT infrastructure has grown enormously since its creation. Contrary to other infrastructure, the growth is not expected to decrease any time soon," says Michael Galili.
Today, the Internet is accountable for about 10 per cent of the world’s electricity consumption. If you combine that with the rapid growth of data traffic of approx. 20 per cent every year, a gloomy picture emerges with unbearably high energy consumption.
Read the article: Digitalization is an important climate tool
"We have a concrete idea for a system, which we believe can extend the reach of optical transmission. Now we can start building it"
Michael Galili, Associate Professor, DTU Fotonik
"Many aspects of society rely on good communication infrastructure to enable better services, better use of resources etc. For this to continue being a possibility we need to ensure that the communication infrastructure can grow sustainably. This has many practical implications and my work together with many good colleagues at DTU Fotonik and around the world is focused on addressing these.
Along with the award, Michael Galili receives DKK 300.000.
"The prize money from Jorcks Fonds Research Award will be spent to further the research on overcoming transmission impairments in optical fibre. This money will allow us to acquire important components to further research and teaching in optical fibre transmission. We have a concrete idea for a system,
which we believe can extend the reach of optical transmission. Now we can start building it," says Michael Galili.