About Us

Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Social Media

Bluesky • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn • YouTube

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology
My Watchlist
Indicators
Industrial Laser Index
Markets
Stocks
ETFs
Tools
Markets:
Overview
News
Currencies
International
Treasuries

Water infrastructure and technology stocks heat up

By: Equities.com
Water infrastructure and technology stocks heat up

The EPA added $3.6 billion in fresh funding for U.S. water infrastructure this week. The funds bring the total earmarked for community water projects under the Biden administration for fiscal 2025 to $6.2 billion as part of the larger bipartisan $50 billion water infrastructure bill. That legislation provides grants and forgivable loans for disadvantaged communities without water security.

But the scale of the problem facing the EPA is daunting.

The federal government estimates that two million Americans currently lack access to clean drinking water with economically disadvantaged communities are particularly vulnerable. Almost one-quarter of households with access to private wells are subject to contamination.

Globally the problem is more dire, with estimates that as many as 2.2 billion people, nearly a third of the world’s population, lack consistent access to a safe water source. 

An increasing number of companies focused on solutions for safer water are accessing capital from investors.

“From a long-term standpoint there is a massive backlog in water projects,” said Rob Day, partner and co-founder of Spring Lane Capital. The private investment company focuses on early stage investment in the energy, food, water and waste markets, backing infrastructure projects as well as investing in the startups developing them. 

“There has been a critical lack of investment in the infrastructure for decades,” Day said. 

In addition to replacing aging systems, new technologies also present opportunities. Day said technologies to mitigate per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — so-called forever chemicals present in waste management — are currently a major focus for his team. 

Other investments include less water intensive data center technologies.  

Water is a growing focus for public markets as well. The stocks of water technology and infrastructure provided have performed well in recent years. The S&P Global Water Index has returned over 11% so far this year, with a trailing 12 month return of over 32%.The Invesco S&P Global Water ETF CGW which mimics the index has slightly outperformed its benchmark year-to-date increase of more than 12%. 

Investors seeking to allocate in the water segment have a number of other ETF options available. Invesco Water Resources PHO focuses on companies providing solutions specifically for the domestic US market while Global X Clean Water AQWA and iShares MSCI Water Management Multisector IWTR each hold international stocks in their portfolios. 

More stories we’re tracking at Equities:

Banking industry group releases impact report

Impact Disclosure Taskforce, a financial industry group of global banks, has released a report focused on a $4.2 trillion annual financing gap identified by the United Nations sustainable development goals. The Impact Disclosure Guidance release compiles voluntary disclosure by lenders to provide funding insight to public and private sector stakeholders as well as institutional investors. 

NYC pensions divest from fossil fuels

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, a mayoral candidate, announced Tuesday that pension investments in private equity and infrastructure would divest from fossil fuels. The move comes after city pensions jettisoned publicly traded oil and gas companies earlier this year. 

Renewable lobbyists push for grassroots campaigns

Greenlight America, a renewable energy advocacy group, has begun organizing local government level responses to support solar and wind projects. The organization, which received IRS approval as a non-profit in 2023, is headquartered in Washington and reports having 20 staff members. The group counts political and labor activist Matt Traldi among its founders. The organization has recently begun hiring regional organizers across the nation.

Read more: Renewable infrastructure managers pursue wealthy investors

More News

View More
Why Amazon’s Prime Day May Be the Catalyst for a Year-End Rally
Via MarketBeat
Tickers AMZN
Let the Good Times Roll: 2 Stocks Showing No Signs of Slowing
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence World Trade
Tickers ATRO INOD META
Café Culture Revival? 3 Stocks to Watch After Chick-fil-A’s Move
Via MarketBeat
Tickers CMG MCD SBUX YUM
Carmakers Step in With Incentives as EV Tax Credit Expires
Via MarketBeat
Topics Economy Government
Tickers F GM TSLA
Buy the Dip? Zillow’s Profit Comeback Meets Market Pressure
Via MarketBeat
Topics Lawsuit
Tickers ZG
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.