Dr. David R. Smith to lead discussion and provide insights on commercializing metamaterials

Echodyne, the radar platform company, announced today that its Technical Advisory Board Chair, Dr. David R. Smith, will appear at the SPIE Optics + Photonics 2021 Conference to lead a session titled, “Commercializing metamaterials: engineering systems from metamaterial devices.” The session will be held on Monday, August 2nd at 10:40am PDT, and attendees will be able to join the event via a digital conference platform or in-person at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.

SPIE Optics + Photonics 2021 is the largest international, multidisciplinary optical sciences and technology meeting in North America. The conference brings together industry leaders to discuss the latest innovations in optical engineering, nanotechnology, quantum science, organic photonics, and astronomical instrumentation.

Dr. Smith’s presentation will tell the story of how metamaterials have evolved from lab tests to fully functional commercial products and look at the opportunities they provide for breakthroughs in a wide range of applications and markets. He will explore some of the unique challenges of designing systems with metamaterial components with examples of how products and organizations, like Echodyne, have leveraged metamaterial advantages at the system level, through integration with “right-size” control, processing, and other subsystems.

Dr. Smith is the James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Duke University, where he also serves as Director for the Center for Metamaterial and Integrated Plasmonics. Dr. Smith is also CEO of Metacept Labs, a technology incubator working on the next generation of metamaterial applications. Dr. Smith’s research interests include the theory, simulation and characterization of structured materials across the electromagnetic spectrum, including photonic crystals, metamaterials and plasmonic nanostructures, as well as applications that leverage these unique materials.

“Metamaterials are really a new frontier for electromagnetic systems,” said Dr. Smith. “It is exciting to see the progression of the field from academic interest to commercial investment and products, and we’ve learned a lot about the challenges that need to be solved along the way. I’m thrilled to be presenting at SPIE Optics + Photonics to share these insights, and connect with the larger community.”

“Metamaterial beamsteering antennas are a core technology in our radars, and we’re invested in the health of the entire metamaterials field,” said Dr. Tom Driscoll, CTO at Echodyne. “As the chair of our Technical Advisory Board, it’s great to see Dr. Smith continue to share his research, perspective, and expertise with the broader community.”

Echodyne’s Technical Advisory Board comprises leaders and experts from academia and industry who advise the company on radar technology trends and product strategies.

About Echodyne

Echodyne, the radar platform company, designs and delivers high-performance compact, solid-state, patent-protected MESA® radars. Ideally suited for defense, security, machine perception, and autonomy, Echodyne’s commercially priced electronically-scanned array radars are used by defense and government agencies, autonomous developers, and security integrators for counter-UAS, borders and perimeter security, critical infrastructure protection, unmanned aerial vehicles, and autonomous vehicles. Privately held, the company is based in Kirkland, Washington, and is backed by Bill Gates, NEA, Madrona Venture Group, Vulcan Capital, Vanedge Capital, and Lux Capital among others. For more information, please visit: Echodyne.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210802005019/en/