[6] Dodd-Walls Centre researchers are developing, applying and improving laser spectroscopy techniques to sense and image a variety of surfaces and systems.

[24] They have applied their techniques to optimise solar cells,[24][25][26] measure microplastics in the environment,[27][28] identify crystalline forms of pharmaceuticals,[25] assess the quality and composition of foodstuffs,[29][25] analyse historical artefacts[30] and biological specimens[31][32] and develop tools for medical diagnosis.

[33][34] Kasper van Wijk and Jami Shepherd Johnson at the Physical Acoustics Laboratory at the University of Auckland use photoacoustic, ultrasonic, and laser-ultrasonic imaging techniques inspired by geophysical methods.

[40][41][42] Cather Simpson and researchers in the Photon Factory at the University of Auckland are developing sensors to sort bull sperm for the dairy industry,[43] measure the composition of milk[44] and test for immunity to COVID-19.

Theoretical research and numerical modelling of nonlinear effects such as rogue waves[47][48] and temporal cavity solitons[49] underpins the development of novel technologies.

[53][54][49][55] In the Photon Factory at the University of Auckland researchers use mode-locked lasers that produce exotic ultra-short pulses of light in the femtosecond (fs) and picosecond (ps) range for applications in micro-machining, micro-fabrication and spectroscopy.

[100][101][102][103][104][105] The Dodd-Walls Centre's vision, according to director David Hutchinson, is to contribute to the development of an ecosystem of photonics-based companies that support each other and export to the world.

Hutchinson envisages these companies providing jobs and stimulating New Zealand's economy and culture focusing on creating high-value products out of cheap materials.

In 2016 Simpson won a KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Award for Orbis Diagnostics, which is developing a method to sort bovine sperm into males and females using light pulses.

[117] Director David Hutchinson has spoken publicly about the potential economic benefits for New Zealand of developing technologies and spin-off companies through quantum physics and photonics.

He believes this will "counter the scientific brain drain" by contributing to "the development of career pathways for highly skilled individuals to stay in New Zealand".

[118][119] The Dodd-Walls Centre partners with Auckland-based company Southern Photonics, which was founded in 2001 by John Harvey with three of his students to provide high-tech opportunities for PhD graduates.

[122][123][121] According to Director David Hutchinson, Dodd-Walls scientists are working with the New Zealand meat, dairy, fruit and wool industries to add value to export products.

[106] The Dodd-Walls Centre sponsors, organises and delivers a range of educational outreach programmes and activities to children and communities across New Zealand and the Pacific region.

In 2018 the Centre engaged over 13,000 people in over 82 events, ranging from public talks about gravitational waves to an International Day of Light science fair.

[133] The Dodd-Walls Centre's coordinated outreach efforts started in 2015 when Cather Simpson took the position of co-chair on the New Zealand International Year of Light Committee.

[137] A team of researchers and students from across the Dodd-Walls Centre worked in collaboration with eight museums in cities and small towns around New Zealand to organise activities and events.

[137][138][139] Since 2015, Dodd-Walls researchers and students have organised events and activities for UNESCO's annual Day of Light, which is celebrated on 16 May, the anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser in 1960.

[143][133] Simpson says the Day of Light encourages the Dodd-Walls Centre to connect their grassroots research with global issues of social justice and sustainability.

With support from the New Zealand government's Unlocking Curious Minds programme a team of scientists, students and museum educators visited the Chatham and Pitt Islands and delivered a series of interactive science activities to children, families and locals.

The centre partnered with the Otago Museum and the MacDiarmid Institute to deliver a project called Full STE(a)M Ahead which aimed to build relationships between young people in the Dunedin and Southland region with role models and mentors involved in STEM subjects.

The exhibition aims to change young people’s perceptions of who a scientist is: it will display photos of 100 women nominated by members of the community, along with a caption of a hundred words describing the role STEM has played in their life.

This exhibition, developed in partnership with MOTAT, Otago Museum, and the MacDiarmid Institute, invites visitors to explore photonics, advanced materials and nanotechnology through hands-on experiments, and gives examples of New Zealand innovations.