Computers don't byte

Episode 15: Anna Kononova: Lenses for chip manufacturing, unveiling the complexity of their design

Published on 25 March 2026 - Created by Michiel van Poelgeest, Dimitra Kouimtzidou, Marcel Tichelaar

How can nature-inspired evolution help us create the perfect optical lens? Assistant Professor Anna Kononova explores this question in her research. High-tech industries, like computer chip manufacturers, require ultra-precise lenses to keep up with the demand for increasingly complex designs.

Anna uses evolutionary computing, a technique that mimics natural selection. Just as nature evolves the fittest species, computers generate and test many lens designs, keeping the best and refining them over generations. This approach helps create cutting-edge technology with incredible precision


Listen to the full episode on Spotify.