Abstract:
The current fundamental limits such as Shockley–Queisser, ergodic light-trapping limit, diffraction-limited imaging (Abbe diffraction limit), noise in detection, reciprocal optical systems (Lorentz reciprocity), positive homogeneous refractive indices, Kirchhoff’s law of thermal radiation, mass and specific power of space systems and more are being shattered with new concepts and advanced material design. A bridge between concepts to go beyond these limits and new fabrication techniques using extreme materials to realize them will be presented; disruptively ushering concepts from being impossible or difficult towards their implementation in large-scale engineering applications. With demonstrations of experimental performance, work on graded-index immersion optics, 3D-printed aerospace optical devices, ultralightweight space reflectors and adaptive optics, metamaterials photonic arrays, novel 2D and bulk materials creating nanoscale thin-film space tested solar cells with integrated multifunctional stacks that are resilient in the harsh space environments will be presented. To conclude, Space-Based Solar Power demo’s space launch and the recent end of mission successes and lessons will be reported.
These projects, that are tied together in the overarching aim for deeper understanding of light-matter interactions and utilizing space as our new laboratory, are charting the future of energy security and sustainability and the space era.
Bio:
In Nov. 2021, Nina joined as an assistant professor in Astronautics and Spacecraft Engineering at the University of Southampton, UK, after completing her postdoctoral fellowship at the California Institute of Technology, USA. Nina undertook her undergraduate study in Electronic Engineering at the University of Cambridge, England, UK and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, CA, USA. Nina specializes in the area of optics, optoelectronics, and material design, especially for space applications.
Nina’s innovations and work on graded index concentrators and 3D printing to create nanometer-smooth optical devices are being featured in over 100s of news articles around the world and her work at Caltech on the Space Based Solar Power was featured in a BBC interview, created functional prototypes, and recently the demo sent successful results from space.
Before her Ph.D., Nina worked as a strategy consultant for international engineering companies & original equipment manufacturers in Europe and Asia. Nina was a Stanford DARE (Diversifying Academia, Recruiting Excellence) scholarship recipient and champions for educational outreach via work with organizations like the IEEE, WIE (Women In Engineering), EWB (Engineers Without Borders), and the UN.
Research group site: https://sites.google.com/view/ninavaidya
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninavaidya/
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9WwskPgAAAAJ&hl=en