David Powell

David Powell is an Associate Professor at the School of Engineering and Information Technology, UNSW Canberra. He specializes in electromagnetic and acoustic metamaterials, with expertise spanning microwave, terahertz, and acoustic experimentation. His research focuses on nonlinear and tunable metamaterials, particularly structures combining electromagnetic and mechanical degrees of freedom.

He obtained his PhD from RMIT University (2006) in surface acoustic wave biosensors. From 2006-2017, he was a Researcher at the Nonlinear Physics Centre, Australian National University, before joining UNSW Canberra as Senior Lecturer and advancing to Associate Professor. He maintains membership in the Advanced Electromagnetics research group.

Powell's research explores:

• Novel nonlinear metamaterials and reconfigurable structures
• Coupled electromagnetic-acoustic dynamics in metamaterials
• Theoretical frameworks for bianisotropy and chirality
• Open resonant systems modeling (developer of OpenModes software)
• Acoustic/electromagnetic wave control via metasurfaces

His publications demonstrate consistent focus on wave manipulation through engineered materials, with recent emphasis on acoustic metasurfaces for energy harvesting, noise insulation, and beam control applications.