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Julie Fouquet
Born
Julie Elizabeth Fouquet

(1958-03-23) March 23, 1958 (age 67)
Alma mater Harvard University (BA)
Stanford University (Ph.D)
Spouse(s) George Andrew Zdasiuk
Awards Fellow of IEEE For contributions to optical switch and light-emitting device technologies

Julie Elizabeth Fouquet, born on March 23, 1958, is an amazing American scientist and inventor. She's an expert in applied physics and engineering. She's famous for her work with optical networking (which is about sending information using light) and wave power (making electricity from ocean waves).

Learning and Growing

Julie Fouquet was born in Palo Alto, California. She loved science and decided to study physics at Harvard University. While at Harvard, she was part of a special committee that looked at how the university invested its money. She graduated with high honors in 1980.

After Harvard, she went on to get her Ph.D. in applied physics from Stanford University in 1986. Her advanced studies focused on how light behaves in tiny semiconductor structures. This research was very important for understanding how modern electronic devices work.

A Career in Innovation

Julie Fouquet started her career at HP Labs in 1985. Later, she worked for a company called Agilent Technologies, which was created from parts of HP.

Light Switches and Bubbles

At Agilent, Julie developed a really cool invention: "all-optical switches." Imagine a switch that can turn light signals on and off, or send them in different directions, all using light itself! Her switches used tiny bubbles in a special fluid. These bubbles were made using the same technology found in inkjet printers. When a bubble formed, it would reflect light, acting like a tiny mirror to change the light's path. This was a big step forward for sending information quickly using light.

Recognized for Her Work

Because of her important contributions to optical switches and devices that produce light, Julie Fouquet was named a "Fellow of the IEEE" in 2004. Being a Fellow of the IEEE is a very high honor for engineers and scientists.

In 2005, parts of Agilent became a new company called Avago Technologies. Julie continued her important research there as a senior principal scientist.

Power from Ocean Waves

In 2015, Julie Fouquet started her own company called 3newable LLC. This company focuses on developing renewable energy from ocean waves. Renewable energy means power that comes from natural sources that won't run out, like the sun, wind, or ocean waves. Her work aims to find new ways to create clean electricity for everyone.

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