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Sheng ShenView profile

Professor

• Nanophotonics
• Nanoscale Energy Transport and Conversion
• Advanced Manufacturing
• +7 more

Sheng Shen is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) , with courtesy appointments in the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering . He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (Minor in Electrical Engineering) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) , and his B.S. and M.S. from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China. Prior to joining CMU in 2011, he conducted postdoctoral research at UC-Berkeley . Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, MIT (2010) B.S. & M.S., Power Engineering & Engineering Thermophysics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2000 & 2003) Research interests include nanophotonics , nanoscale energy transport and conversion , nanofabrication , and advanced manufacturing , with applications in thermal management , light sources and devices , thermal emission control , solar energy conversion , infrared sensing , and multifunctional materials . His work leverages interdisciplinary expertise in thermal and optical measurements , material synthesis , device fabrication , and theoretical modeling . Recent publications highlight advancements in infrared radiation control , thermal interface materials , metasurface engineering , and graphene-based nanosystems . His scientific awards include: NSF CAREER Award DARPA Director's Fellowship DARPA Young Faculty Award Elsevier/JQSRT Raymond Viskanta Award CMU Dean's Early Career Fellowship Philomathia Foundation Research Fellowship Hewlett-Packard Best Paper Award Best Paper Award, Julius Springer Forum Advising spans Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers in nanoscale energy systems, with alumni contributing to solar energy conversion , infrared sensing , and flexible electronics . His lab receives funding from ARL, DARPA, DOE, DTRA, NASA, NSF, and ONR , and recently secured a DURIP award for instrumentation.

• Integrated Optics
• Silicon Photonics
• Semiconductor Lasers
• +3 more

Professor Marc Sorel is a faculty member in the Department of Electronic & Nanoscale Engineering at the University of Glasgow's School of Engineering. He holds a PhD from Università di Pavia (1999) and joined the Optoelectronics Research Group at Glasgow in 1998 with a Rotary Foundation fellowship. Appointed Lecturer in 2002 and Senior Lecturer in 2008, he is now a Professor specializing in integrated optics, silicon photonics, and semiconductor lasers. His research focuses on applications like quantum technology, mid-infrared optoelectronics, and nonlinear photonics. Notable projects include silicon nitride optical phased arrays and rubidium-based atomic systems. He leads a team advancing chip-scale sensors and photonic integrated circuits. Collaborations with institutions like the Quantum Technology Hub highlight his industry engagement. Research interests span semiconductor ring lasers, ultrashort pulse lasers, and coupled ring resonators on silicon-on-insulator platforms. His work integrates materials science (e.g., alumina/silicon nitride) with quantum and optical engineering innovations. Over 300 publications and presentations at conferences like CLEO and ECOC reflect his global impact. Current efforts emphasize mid-infrared sensing, cold atom systems, and high-precision laser development. His lab develops photonic components for atomic trapping, quantum communication, and biomedical sensing. Recent advancements include sub-kHz linewidth lasers and low-loss waveguides. Funding from UK Research and Innovation supports his exploration of next-generation photonic technologies.

Changxi ZhengView profile

Associate Professor

• Computer Graphics
• Scientific Computing
• Physics-Based Sound Synthesis
• +7 more

Changxi Zheng is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS). He directs Columbia's Computer Graphics Group (C2G2) within the Columbia Vision and Graphics Center (CVGC). After receiving his PhD from Cornell University, he joined the faculty of Computer Science Department at Columbia, where he has established himself as a leading researcher in computer graphics and scientific computing. Dr. Zheng's research spans multiple areas of applied computer science with a particular focus on computer graphics and scientific computing. His work centers around developing numerical models for simulating physical phenomena involving complex motions such as fluids, bubbles, and thin rods, along with their resulting acoustic waves. Leveraging computational insights from these models, he devises methods for improving tangible object creation, enabling novel human-computer interactions, and developing software tools for acoustic and photonic devices. His research has attracted significant public interest and media coverage, including projects like FontCode, AirCode, and Computational Metallophone Design. His recent publications reveal a strong interdisciplinary approach, bridging computer graphics, physics simulation, machine learning, and hardware design. His work demonstrates consistent innovation in computational methods for simulating physical phenomena and applying these techniques to practical problems in 3D printing, acoustic modeling, and interactive systems. The breadth of his research spans from fundamental physics-based simulations to practical applications in industry. Columbia SEAS Dean's Fellow (for advised students) NSF Graduate Research Fellow (for Ruilin Xu) Snap Research Fellow (for Rundi Wu) CKGSB Fellow (for Yun Fei) Adobe Research Fellow (for Gabriel Cirio) Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellow (for Rundi Wu) Best Paper Award at ACM International Conference on Multimedia (ACMMM), 2019 Dr. Zheng actively mentors a diverse group of students, including current PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. His research group has received support from various sources that enable their innovative work in computational graphics and physics-based simulation. He has supervised numerous successful students who have gone on to positions at leading technology companies including Adobe, Tencent, Facebook, and academic institutions. As director of Columbia's Computer Graphics Group (C2G2) within the Columbia Vision and Graphics Center (CVGC), Dr. Zheng leads a vibrant research team focused on advancing the state of the art in computer graphics, physics-based simulation, and their applications. The group maintains strong collaborations with industry partners and academic institutions worldwide, fostering an environment of innovation and practical application of theoretical concepts.

• Quantum Optics
• Spintronics
• Quantum Information Science
• +5 more

Prof. dr. ir. C.H. (Caspar) van der Wal is a Full Professor in Physics of Quantum Devices at the Faculty of Science and Engineering , University of Groningen. His research focuses on spintronic and quantum information functionalities using electron/nuclear spins in semiconductor devices, combining quantum optical and electron transport methods. PhD in Quantum Transport (Delft University of Technology, 2001) Postdoc in Quantum Optics at Harvard University (2001-2003) Scientific Director of Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (2016-2022) Research keywords include Quantum Optics , Spintronics , Quantum Information , and Semiconductor Physics . Recent work explores 2D/3D semiconductor heterostructures , spin defects in SiC , and transition metal dichalcogenides . His scientific contributions have earned him the NWO-Vidi Grant (2005) , ERC Starting Grant (2011) , and multiple teaching awards. Publications since 2001 span topics like quantum superpositions in superconducting circuits, spin relaxation in quantum dots, and telecom-ready spin centers in silicon carbide. Grants : NWO-Vidi (2005), ERC Starting Grant (2011) Leadership : Scientific Director, Zernike Institute (2016-2022) Teaching : Teacher of the Year (2015), Education Prize (2012) Current affiliations include the Physics of Nanodevices group at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials. Collaborations span institutions like MIT, Harvard, and AMOLF.

Mark FosterView profile

Associate Professor

• Photonics
• Optical Systems
• Signal Processing
• +5 more

Mark Foster is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, with a primary appointment in the Whiting School of Engineering. He is also a Fellow of the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute. His research focuses on developing ultrahigh-speed optical systems at the intersection of photonics and electronics, emphasizing photonic devices and information theory to advance imaging, sensing, and communications technologies. Applications include quantum-optical systems, ultrawide-bandwidth microwave photonics, and terahertz-rate imaging systems. Dr. Foster received his BS (2003), MS (2007), and PhD (2008) in Applied and Engineering Physics from Cornell University. Before joining Johns Hopkins in 2010, he served as a postdoctoral associate there. His work has been funded by the NSF, IARPA, DTRA, and NIH, resulting in over 200 publications and eight patents. He has held leadership roles, including chairing the IEEE Photonics Society’s Baltimore chapter (2011–2014). Research Highlights: World-leading imaging systems achieving terahertz frame rates Quantum-optical platforms and nonlinear photonic materials (e.g., NbTiOx) Secure authentication via physically unclonable functions (PUFs) Applications in fusion energy diagnostics and medical imaging His awards include the NSF CAREER Award (201?), DARPA Young Faculty Award, and ONR Young Investigator Award. Current projects explore machine learning-resistant PUFs, multi-modal imaging systems, and photonics for extreme environments.

• Soft Robotics
• Tactile Sensing
• Artificial Skin
• +4 more

Perla Maiolino serves as an Associate Professor in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford and Principal Investigator of the Soft Robotics Lab (SRL) within the Oxford Robotics Institute. Her academic foundation includes BEng, MEng, and PhD degrees in Robotics and Automation from the University of Genoa, where she pioneered CySkin technology for distributed tactile sensing in robots—later exhibited at the Science Museum in London. She expanded her expertise during a 2017-2018 postdoctoral fellowship at Cambridge University's Biologically Inspired Robotics Lab, focusing on soft robotics and tactile perception. Dr. Maiolino's research centers on developing artificial skin systems, soft robotic actuators, and distributed sensing architectures. Her work bridges biological inspiration with engineering innovation to create robots capable of safe human interaction and dexterous manipulation in unstructured environments. Key contributions include compliant beaded-string jamming mechanisms for anthropomorphic fingers, monolithic 3D-printed soft pneumatic arms (JAMMit!), and distributed time-of-flight sensor networks for robotic self-awareness. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a strong convergence of tactile sensing with machine learning, featuring optical flow for gesture recognition, diffusion models for artificial skin simulation, and zero-shot sim-to-real transfer techniques. Her team has made significant advances in multi-modal sensing integration, variable stiffness actuation, and scene flow estimation for robots operating in dynamic surroundings. Scientific Awards No specific awards were documented in the provided institutional materials. Advising and Grants While her leadership of the Soft Robotics Lab implies active student supervision and grant management, detailed information about advisees or funded projects was not included in the source documentation. Labs and Teams As Principal Investigator of the Soft Robotics Lab at Oxford Robotics Institute, Dr. Maiolino directs research on tactile perception systems, soft actuation mechanisms, and sensor-integrated robotic structures. The lab's work focuses on applications requiring safe physical interaction, including healthcare robotics and human-robot collaboration scenarios, with emphasis on multi-material 3D printing and embedded sensing technologies.

Ali MostafazadehView profile

Professor

• Mathematical Physics
• Quantum Mechanics
• Scattering Theory
• +3 more

Ali Mostafazadeh is a Professor at the Department of Mathematics, College of Sciences, Koç University. His research spans Mathematical Physics, focusing on Quantum Mechanics, Scattering Theory, and PT-Symmetry. He has made significant contributions to understanding non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, electromagnetic wave propagation, and geometric scattering phenomena. Education: PhD in Physics (1994) from The University of Texas, BA in Physics and Mathematics (1989) from Boğaziçi University His work explores the intersection of mathematics and physics, particularly through spectral singularities, transfer matrix methods, and nonlinear optical systems. Recent publications highlight advancements in broadband directional invisibility, exact Born approximations, and time-dependent Hilbert spaces in quantum systems. 2011 Outstanding Success Award 2007 TÜBİTAK Science Award 2006 Werner-von-Siemens Excellence Award 2001 TÜBA Outstanding Young Scientists Award 2001 Parlar Foundation Research Incentive Award

Ranjan SinghView profile

Professor

• Terahertz (THz) Photonics
• Metamaterials
• 6G Communications
• +6 more

Ranjan Singh is a Professor at the Division of Physics, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore, specializing in terahertz photonics and metamaterials. He holds an elected fellowship from OPTICA (OSA) for pioneering work in ultrafast terahertz photonics, active metamaterials, and sensors. His research focuses on hybrid THz-electronic-photonic technologies for 6G communications, topological photonics, spintronics, quantum materials, and high-Tc superconductors. Education: B.Eng. in Telecommunications (Bangalore University, 2001); M.Tech in Photonics (Cochin University, 2004); Ph.D. in Photonics (Oklahoma State University, 2009). Postdoctoral research at Los Alamos National Laboratory (2009–2013). Research emphasizes on-chip THz topological photonics for next-gen communication systems, with notable achievements including a $7M grant for TERACOMM (on-chip THz topological photonics). His work integrates AI-driven beamforming, reconfigurable metasurfaces, and phase-change materials for adaptive THz systems. Key awards include the 2020 Web of Science 'Top 1% Highly Cited Researcher' distinction. His lab, TeraX Labs (founded 2013), develops cutting-edge technologies like THz brain-computer interfaces, quantum emitters, and spintronic sensors. Over $12M in competitive grants has fueled innovations in THz integrated circuits, tunable optical coatings, and ultra-sensitive biosensors. Advancing 6G/XG wireless, Singh's team designs topological beamformers, intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS), and terahertz metamaterials for multi-link systems. His work bridges theoretical physics and applied engineering, with a focus on energy-efficient, reconfigurable photonic systems.

Dmitri N. BasovView profile

Professor

• Quantum Materials
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Nanophotonics
• +4 more

Dmitri N. Basov is the Higgins Professor of Physics at Columbia University, with a joint appointment as Professor of Physics at the University of California, San Diego. His research focuses on quantum materials, utilizing nano-optical techniques to investigate electronic phenomena and polaritonic systems. He leads the Basov Group at Columbia and has pioneered methods for imaging quantum materials at nanoscale resolutions. PhD in Physics, Lebedev Physics Institute (1991) Professor, Columbia University (2016–present) Professor, UC San Diego (2001–present) Postdoctoral Research, McMaster University (1992–1996) His work spans plasmonics , terahertz spectroscopy , and van der Waals heterostructures , with recent emphasis on polariton dynamics, superconductivity modulation, and moiré-driven electronic states. He employs cutting-edge tools like quantum scanning near-field optical microscopy (q-SNOM) and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering. Besides leading major grants such as the Gordon and Betty Moore Investigator award and Vannevar Bush Fellowship, Basov has received accolades like the National Academy of Sciences membership (2020), Ken Button Prize (2019), and Frank Isakson Prize (2012). His team explores novel quantum phases in 2D and topological materials.

Nathan SchineView profile

Assistant Professor

• Quantum Physics
• Quantum Information Science
• Atomic Physics
• +3 more

Nathan Schine is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, specializing in quantum physics and quantum information science. He leads the Schine lab, which explores controlled coherent dynamics and engineered dissipation in quantum systems, particularly using optical cavities coupled to tweezer-trapped cold atoms. His research bridges atomic physics, quantum optics, and condensed matter physics. Education: B.A. in Physics, Williams College (2013) Ph.D. in Physics, University of Chicago (2019) Research interests focus on quantum many-body systems, optical cavities, and applications such as quantum information processing and ultra-coherent atomic clocks. The lab’s work includes developing state-of-the-art strontium tweezer array apparatuses for precision metrology and quantum simulation. Recent publications highlight advancements in Dicke state preparation, optical pumping of quantum Hall states, and cavity-enhanced measurements. Advising and grants involve mentoring graduate students and postbaccalaureate researchers, including Shardul Rao and Siddharth Taneja. The lab collaborates with groups like AMPED, QuICS, and RQS at UMD. Members include postdoctoral researchers and graduate students working on theoretical quantum optics and experimental setups. Labs/Teams: The Schine lab integrates atomic, optical, and condensed matter physics approaches to address fundamental and applied questions in quantum science.

Stefan MaierView profile

Professor

• Nanophotonics
• Plasmonics
• Metasurfaces
• +5 more

Professor Stefan Maier holds the position of Head of School in Physics and Astronomy at Monash University. Previously, he served as the Lee Lucas Chair in Experimental Physics at Imperial College London (2007–2018) and built a new chair at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (2019–2022). His research focuses on nanophotonics, plasmonics, and metasurface engineering, with emphasis on optical trapping, nonlinear optics, and novel photonic devices. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Technical University of Munich M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Research Interests: Development of metamaterials and metasurfaces for light manipulation Applications of nanophotonics in sensing, imaging, and quantum technologies Optical trapping and plasmonic catalysis Nonlinear optical phenomena in nanostructured materials Articles Trends: Recent work emphasizes bound states in the continuum (BICs), 3D nanoprinted optical platforms, and active metasurfaces with tunable properties. Key themes include hybrid nanophotonics, ultra-high-Q resonators, and plasmonic nanomaterials for energy applications. Awards: ISI Highly Cited Researcher (2017–present) Grants/Projects: Chief Investigator in the All-on-chip twisted light modulator project (2022–2025) Leadership in Monash’s nanophotonics research team Labs/Teams: Directs a multidisciplinary lab at Monash focused on integrating 3D nanofabrication with optical physics, including collaborations in metafiber development and plasmonic biosensing.

Goran MashanovichView profile

Professor

• Silicon Photonics
• Photonics Integrated Circuits
• Sensors
• +2 more

Professor Goran Mashanovich is a leading academic in silicon photonics at the University of Southampton's Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) , Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. With a Dipl. Ing. and MSc from the University of Belgrade and a PhD from the University of Surrey, he serves as head of the ORC's Mid-IR silicon photonics group. His expertise spans passive and active photonic devices in silicon and germanium for communication and sensing systems. Education: Dipl. Ing. in Optoelectronics, University of Belgrade MSc in Optoelectronics, University of Belgrade PhD in Silicon Photonics, University of Surrey MSc in Innovative Teaching, University of Surrey His research focuses on Silicon Photonics , Photonics Integrated Circuits , and Sensor Development , particularly in mid-infrared applications. His recent publications demonstrate advancements in waveguide engineering, perovskite integration, and nonlinear optical effects optimization through computational methods. As Principal Investigator on grants exceeding £20 million from EPSRC and industry partners, his collaborative projects include MISSION (mid-infrared healthcare sensors), CORNERSTONE 2.5 , and PIXEurope . He also contributes to global education initiatives as a visiting professor at the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Electrical Engineering.

Umut AydemirView profile

Associate Professor

• Boron-Based High-Tech Materials
• Laser Crystals
• Materials Displaying Unusual Properties
• +10 more

Umut Aydemir is an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Koç University , where he also serves as Director of KUBAM (Koç University Boron Application and Research Center) . His research focuses on Boron-Based High-Tech Materials, 2D Materials, Electrocatalysis, Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting , and Hydrogen Storage . PhD in Chemistry (2012), Dresden University of Technology MSc in Materials Science and Engineering (2006), Koç University BSc in Chemistry and Physics (2004), Koç University Umut’s work addresses structure-property relationships in advanced materials, with a particular emphasis on boron-containing compounds , MXenes , and thermoelectric systems . His recent publications highlight innovations in electrocatalytic water splitting , hydrogen storage materials , and sustainable coating technologies . His research trends include: Development of metal diborides for water splitting Engineering MXene/polymer composites for corrosion resistance Novel approaches to thermoelectric materials like MgAgSb and Zintl phases Designing hydrogenated borophene for environmental applications Awarded the 2024 Koç University College of Science Outstanding Faculty Award and 2019 TÜBA Young Scientist Award , Umut leads high-impact projects in materials science. He advises graduate students in Nanocatalysis and Advanced Material Synthesis and contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives at KUBAM.

Shubhra PasayatView profile

Professor

• Semiconductor Materials
• Optoelectronics
• Power Electronics
• +3 more

Professor Shubhra Pasayat is affiliated with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She holds a PhD (2021) and MS (2017) from University of California, Santa Barbara, and a B.Tech (2013) from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. Research focus: MOCVD growth of III-nitrides/oxides for optoelectronics, power electronics, quantum materials, and bio-photonics Key applications: LEDs, LASERs, HEMTs, bio-photonics, and sanitization technologies Her research interests center on wide bandgap semiconductor materials, particularly group-III nitrides and oxides. She works on strain relaxation techniques using porous GaN substrates, quantum dot engineering for visible light emission, and high-voltage GaN HEMT development. Current projects include lattice engineering for improved crystal quality and thermal management in RF devices. Publications highlight advancements in ultraviolet lasers, high-electron-mobility transistors, and micro-LEDs. Her work spans fundamental material studies and device optimization for industrial applications like electric vehicles, 5G/6G communications, and horticultural lighting. 2024 Awards : NSF CAREER, ONR DEPSCoR, WARF Early Career Innovator 2022 Awards : UCSB ECE Outstanding Dissertation, JAP Best Paper She teaches ECE 235 Introduction to Solid State Electronics and mentors research at both graduate and undergraduate levels.

Yongmin LiuView profile

Professor

• Nano Optics
• Nanomaterials Engineering
• Plasmonics
• +5 more

Yongmin Liu is a Professor in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering at Northeastern University, and a member of the Cross-College Magnetics Center. He holds a PhD in Applied Science and Technology from UC Berkeley (2009), with earlier degrees from Nanjing University. His research focuses on nano-optics, metamaterials, plasmonics, and their applications in optical devices and systems. His interdisciplinary work bridges engineering, physics, and AI, with notable contributions to metasurface design and optical neural networks. Education: PhD, Applied Science and Technology, UC Berkeley (2009) M.S. and B.S., Physics, Nanjing University (2003, 2000) Research Interests: Nano-optics, nanoscale materials engineering, metamaterials, plasmonics, and applied physics. His group develops novel optical materials and devices for applications like super-resolution imaging, efficient light harvesting, and biomedical detection. Recent projects include AI-driven photonic materials design and meta-optical neural networks. Key Achievements: Recipient of the Søren Buus Outstanding Research Award (2024) NSF CAREER Award (2017) and ONR Young Investigator Award (2016) Elected SPIE Fellow (2023) and Optica Fellow (2023) Lab & Collaborations: Head of the Yongmin Liu Research Group, collaborating with institutions like Georgia Tech and Purdue University. Recent grants include a $1.5M NSF DMREF grant for AI-driven photonic materials and a $468K NSF grant for meta-optical neural networks.