Thomas Hutchens

Dr. Thomas (Cliff) Hutchens is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics & Optical Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He co-leads the Optical Structured Surfaces Laboratory and collaborates with the Biomedical Optics Laboratory. His research focuses on high-energy laser applications in defense, biomedical optics, and materials engineering, including anti-reflective structured surfaces (ARSS), plasma etching, and laser-induced damage mitigation. He holds over $2.5M in grants, including SBIR Phase-II projects, and has authored 50+ publications. His work spans collaborations with institutions like the Naval Surface Warfare Center and companies such as Gamdan Optics and IRflex Corp.

Education: PhD in Optical Science and Engineering (2013), Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Physics (2008), both from UNC Charlotte.

Research interests emphasize multi-disciplinary engineering for fiber optics, beam shaping, spectroscopy, and biomedical laser applications such as vessel sealing and lithotripsy. Recent work includes scaling ARSS fabrication for large optical windows and developing novel optical surfaces for UV to mid-IR ranges. His articles reflect trends in structured surface optimization, laser-material interaction, and medical device innovation.

Grants and Funding: Principal Investigator/Co-PI on $2.5M+ grants, including $1M+ in equipment grants. Collaborates with industry on commercial R&D projects.

Labs and Teams: Co-leads Hutchens Lab and the Optical Structured Surfaces Lab. Works with the Naval Research Laboratory and Naval Surface Warfare Center on defense-related optics.