Electro-Optics, Electromagnetics & Directed Energy
Shaping the Future of Sensing, Electromagnetic Dominance, and Directed Energy
Modern national security depends on the ability to sense, communicate, navigate, and operate across increasingly contested electromagnetic and optical environments. From advanced radar systems and photonic technologies to next-generation antennas and directed energy systems, the technologies that enable information superiority are becoming essential components of national defense.
The National Security Institute’s Electro-Optics, Electromagnetics, and Directed Energy pillar brings together Penn State’s world-leading expertise in electromagnetics, photonics, optics, sensing, materials, advanced computational design, and artificial intelligence to develop transformational technologies for defense and security applications.
Researchers are advancing the science and engineering of electromagnetic systems that improve situational awareness, enable resilient communications, enhance sensing capabilities, and support emerging directed energy technologies that will define future operational environments.
Why It Matters
National security increasingly depends on the ability to understand, control, and operate within the electromagnetic spectrum.
Future challenges require technologies capable of:
- Detecting and identifying threats at greater distances
- Enabling secure and resilient communications
- Supporting advanced sensing and imaging
- Improving electromagnetic spectrum awareness
- Enhancing electronic warfare capabilities
- Advancing directed energy technologies
- Protecting critical infrastructure and military assets
Penn State researchers are developing foundational technologies that support these objectives while educating the next generation of scientists and engineers who will lead future innovation.
Areas of Excellence
Directed Energy Systems
Penn State is developing the scientific foundations, materials, devices, and system-level technologies that support high-energy laser and high-power microwave applications.
Advanced Electromagnetics
Researchers are advancing antenna systems, electromagnetic modeling, wave propagation, and spectrum technologies that support communications, sensing, and defense applications.
Electro-Optical Sensing
Faculty are creating advanced optical systems capable of providing enhanced situational awareness, imaging, target detection, and environmental sensing.
Metamaterials & Metasurfaces
Penn State researchers are internationally recognized for pioneering technologies that manipulate electromagnetic waves in ways previously impossible, enabling breakthroughs in sensing, communications, and directed energy applications.
Computational Design & Digital Engineering
Advanced optimization, artificial intelligence, and computational methods are accelerating the design of next-generation electromagnetic and optical systems.
Faculty Leadership Spotlight
Douglas H. Werner
John L. and Genevieve H. McCain Chair Professor of Electrical Engineering
Douglas Werner is internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading researchers in electromagnetics, antenna design, metamaterials, computational electromagnetics, and inverse-design technologies. He serves as Director of Penn State’s Computational Electromagnetics and Antennas Research Laboratory (CEARL) and Director of the Center of Excellence in Directed Energy (CEDE).
Werner’s research has transformed the design of antennas, electromagnetic devices, optical systems, and metamaterials through the development of innovative computational and optimization approaches. His work has enabled breakthroughs in adaptive electromagnetic systems, advanced sensing technologies, radio frequency (RF) and optical metamaterials, and next-generation communication architectures.
With more than three decades of leadership in the field, Werner’s research continues to shape the future of electromagnetic technologies that are critical to national defense, aerospace systems, communications infrastructure, and emerging directed energy applications.
Featured Center
Center of Excellence in Directed Energy (CEDE)
The Penn State Center of Excellence in Directed Energy (CEDE) was established to unite researchers across the University in advancing the science, engineering, and workforce development necessary to support future directed energy capabilities. The center serves as a focal point for research involving high-energy lasers, high-power microwaves, advanced materials, electromagnetic systems, optical technologies, and system integration.
Led by Doug Werner, CEDE brings together expertise from the College of Engineering, the Applied Research Laboratory, and the Materials Research Institute to create a comprehensive ecosystem for directed energy innovation. The center supports research ranging from fundamental science to applied technologies while helping develop the highly skilled workforce required to sustain U.S. leadership in this strategically important field.
Recent investments in fabrication, testing, 4D materials characterization, and high-performance computing are creating new opportunities for collaboration across government, industry, and academia.
Featured Research Themes
Electromagnetic Spectrum Technologies
Research includes:
- Advanced antennas and arrays
- Adaptive communications
- Spectrum awareness
- Electronic warfare technologies
- RF and microwave systems
- Secure communications
Optical & Photonic Systems
Research includes:
- Electro-optical sensing
- Advanced imaging systems
- Photonic devices
- Laser technologies
- Optical materials
- Precision sensing
Metamaterials & Advanced Devices
Penn State researchers are developing engineered materials that provide unprecedented control over electromagnetic and optical wave behavior.
Applications include:
- Next-generation antennas
- Beam steering technologies
- Directed energy systems
- Advanced imaging
- Space communications
- Spectrum management
Strategic Impact
The Electro-Optics, Electromagnetics, and Directed Energy pillar provides Penn State with a distinctive capability that few universities can match. By combining expertise in electromagnetics, optics, photonics, advanced materials, computation, artificial intelligence, and system integration, Penn State is helping develop technologies that will define the future of national security.
These efforts directly support emerging priorities in sensing, communications, electromagnetic spectrum operations, and directed energy systems while strengthening the nation’s research and workforce capabilities.
Latest News and Research
Penn State established CEDE to coordinate university-wide research in high-energy lasers, high-power microwaves, advanced materials, and workforce development for national security technologies.
Partner with NSI
Penn State welcomes collaborations with government agencies, defense organizations, national laboratories, and industry partners interested in electro-optics, electromagnetics, advanced sensing, photonics, communications, and directed energy technologies.