Simo Pajovic

Simo Pajovic is a PhD candidate in mechanical engineering whose research addresses challenges in nanophotonics and light-matter interactions, with critical applications in energy efficiency and medical imaging. As a MathWorks Fellow, he will focus on understanding electromagnetic nonreciprocity in the context of radiative heat transfer, which may unlock exciting opportunities in engineering emitters and absorbers violating Kirchhoff’s law of thermal radiation, in addition to unidirectional waveguides and optical isolators and circulators in the infrared spectrum. His recent projects have included the development of theory and MATLAB-enabled numerical methods to utilize magneto-optical nonreciprocity for control of thermal radiation in both the macro- and microscopic regimes and engineering radiative heat transfer using nanophotonics to improve thermal management in X-ray tubes. By expanding our understanding of nanophotonics and applying those discoveries to conceptualize new, light-based energy conversion devices, Simo’s work could advance technology in many spheres, from the thermal management of electronics, medical equipment, and buildings, to radiative energy harvesting and conversion.