Thomas Van de Velde

Thomas Van de Velde is a Part-Time Lecturer at the Gordon Institute, Tufts University School of Engineering. His research focuses on advanced materials for energy harvesting, semiconductor technologies, and optoelectronic systems. He has contributed to innovations in thermophotovoltaics (TPV), metamaterials for infrared applications, and quantum dot-based photodetectors.

His work emphasizes high-temperature materials like iridium-based metamaterials and GaSb/GaAs heterostructures. Key areas include optimizing semiconductor films (GeSn, GaAsBi), developing selective emitters for TPV systems, and enhancing photodetection via nanoantenna integration. His research bridges material science, photonics, and device engineering for applications in renewable energy and aerospace.

Van de Velde has collaborated on grants including the NSF CAREER Award for metamaterial-enhanced thermal energy harvesters. His publications span over 15 years, with recent work advancing infrared photodetectors, plasmonic structures, and high-efficiency energy conversion systems. He advises on cutting-edge fabrication techniques and optical characterization methods.