Scientists from Edinburgh 's Heriot Watt University have developed an ultra - fast laser manufacturing system that 's thought could revolutionise manufacturing . The process has been devised by the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Laser - based Production Processes . " By providing pulses of infrared light lasting just a picosecond across the materials , the technology has been able to connect glass , quartz and even sapphire to various materials , such as aluminium , titanium and stainless steel without the need for adhesives . The ability to weld metal and glass , traditionally very tricky due to differing thermal properties , has implications for the aerospace , defence , optical technology and healthcare .
Scientists from Edinburgh 's Heriot Watt University have developed an ultra - fast laser manufacturing system that 's thought could revolutionise manufacturing . The process has been devised by the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Laser - based Production Processes . By providing pulses of infrared light lasting just a picosecond across the materials , the technology has been able to connect glass , quartz and even sapphire to various materials , such as aluminium , titanium and stainless steel without the need for adhesives . The ability to weld metal and glass , traditionally very tricky due to differing thermal properties , has implications for the aerospace , defence , optical technology and healthcare .