Our research focuses on nanostructured materials and their interactions with infrared thermal radiation. We design these materials to control and tune their thermal emission properties, enabling applications in energy harvesting, infrared detection, and thermal camouflage for defense purposes.
The main thrust of our current work involves active metasurfaces—engineered materials whose thermal radiative properties can be dynamically modulated in real time. We view thermal radiation through the lens of light-matter interactions, uncovering various pathways to bend, squeeze, tailor, mold, twist, and ultimately harness the “thermal light” to serve functional and emergent technologies.
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- Nanophotonic control of infrared thermal radiation:
We study nanostructures and microstructures for manipulating light-matter interactions. We design metamaterials that violate common generalizations associated with thermal radiation phenomena.
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Materials being studied for thermophotovoltaics. Collaborators: Pawan Vedanti, Swarnendu Das, and Eric Stach (UPenn) - Developing sustainable materials for energy harvesting and thermal management:
We study energy materials for thermophotovoltaic energy conversion (selective thermal emitters) that can potentially become a primary technology for energy harvesting and waste heat recovery. We are also interested in dynamic radiative cooling and thermal regulation using phase-change media..
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- Nanophotonic control of infrared thermal radiation:
Recent News:
Dec 12, 2024: Prof. Ghanekar receives the Maryland Industrial Partnerships Grant ($100,000) , MIPS $90,000 + RIDO LLC $10,000