Opel was founded based on UConn technology developed originally by Dr. Geoff Taylor of the School of Engineering’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. Working with the Center for Science and Technology Commercialization (UConn’s tech transfer office) Opel licensed Dr. Taylor’s technology and continues to develop it through their subsidiary organization, ODIS, Inc., which remains nearby the Storrs campus. The technology involves new semiconductor processing methods for planar optoelectronic technology (POET) that enables lower cost, high volume manufacture of densely packed optical elements on a chip. The technical characteristics of this technology allow Opel to pursue high value market segments, with both military and commercial applications. It has also led Opel into a related “green” application, solar energy harvesting via tracking concentrating collectors. Mr. Pico will provide an overview of Opel, how it met the challenges presented to it, and discuss how a mutually beneficial arrangement can be made with University researchers that creates new commercial markets.