Our research program aims to innovate new paradigms in artificially structured electromagnetic media and to translate these concepts to useful systems. Our approach covers the full stack, from the development of AI-driven design algorithms and new photonic materials platforms to the experimental implementation of devices and their integration into systems. A major focus is the utilization of structured electromagnetic media for clean energy manufacturing, where we see a tremendous need for and ample opportunity to create new concepts in additive manufacturing and the electrification of chemicals synthesis. These research activities align with our central mission of developing tools and technologies for broad societal benefit.
The fusion of scientific computing with deep learning represents a fundamental shift in how multiphysics problems are solved. We are developing new AI-infused solvers and optimizers that are pushing the speeds and capabilities of computing algorithms. We are also innovating multi-agentic algorithms based on interacting LLMs for streamlining and democratizing computing in photonics.
Artificial photonic media based on subwavelength structuring can support new near- and far-field wave phenomena. We are developing new platforms for freeform, computational-designed metaphotonics. Our goal is to understand and realize structured media that operate at the physical limits of structured materials design and that support new multi-functional capabilities.
The limits of nanophotonic response are predicated on developing and exploring new materials for light management. We are developing new plasmonic platforms based on the growth of crystalline metal on glass. We are also exploring how low-dimensional material systems can be configured to support new regimes of light-matter phenomena.
Three-dimensional nanoprinting offers a clean manufacturing platform for many high-end applications but it is currently limited to microscale write volumes. We are developing metasurface-driven platforms for nanoprinting that enable unprecedented scaling and throughput. In addition to developing the platforms, we are exploring their application in domains such as structural metamaterials and energy storage media.
Nearly one fifth of global carbon emissions come from the combustion of fossil fuels for high grade heat for use in heavy industry. We are developing new classes of electrified chemical reactors, termed metamaterial reactors, which utilize high frequency magnetic induction for clean powering. These concepts leverage the co-design of principles from reaction engineering, electromagnetics, and power electronics.
We believe that progress in photonics and electromagnetics, particularly in the golden age of the data sciences, will require open sharing of methods, codes, and training datasets to accelerate research for everyone. We have established Metanet, an open-source platform for datasets and codes for the photonics community. We have also created MetaChat, an agentic resource for metasurface design.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our sponsors:
