Keynote Speaker Information

                       Tsampikos Kottos

Title: Utilizing attenuation mechanisms for novel technologies: Turning an “anathema” into a “blessing” 

Abstract: The manipulation and management of wave propagation using artificial structures with tailored landscapes (impedance profiles) was always an exciting subject – often challenging the creativity of the researchers and exciting the imagination of the public. Throughout the years, many successful stories, that follow this line of research, have been reported: photonic crystals, negative index materials, and stealth technologies are some testaments of our increasing capabilities to manipulate the impedance profile of the underlying material. Currently however, an alternate viewpoint is emerging: Its focus is to tailor the loss within the propagating medium, thus elevating the attenuation – a mechanism which until recently was considered an “anathema”- to a useful design element whose manipulation can lead to the realization of devices with non-conventional properties and novel functionalities. In this talk, we will highlight some of these results, paying particular attention to some specific applications like hypersensitive sensors for avionic instrumentation, nano-indenters for micro-robotics, and unidirectional invisibility where our group has substantial contributions over the years.