AP-S/URSI 2025 MASTER CLASS
"Electromagnetic and Antenna Research and its Challenges"
Abstract
At the dawn of the computer age, electromagnetic computation was analytic in nature, and antenna designs were based on experimental work. The advancement in computer technology enhanced numerical analysis techniques and enabled computers to challenge these traditional methods. Gradually, computer-based analysis and designs started to become the preferred choices. Yet, human ingenuity still offered important innovations in electromagnetic analysis and antenna designs. This will be demonstrated by way of two examples: transformation electromagnetics, and the Long-Base-Line Interferometer (VLBI). Although antenna textbooks do not include VLBI as a major antenna innovation, this Canadian invention enables communication with “Voyager Probes” that have already left the solar system, and imaging of black holes at distant galaxies. Human ingenuity should not be neglected. In recent years, Metamaterials and their related applications have also become the preferred area of research. Their similarities and differences with traditional methods will be discussed, and some of innovations that they can offer will be highlighted. No doubt, the advent of AI will influence our research, and some of its traps to be avoided will be pointed out.
Date & Location are TBD
Biography
Lotfollah Shafai B.Sc. from University of Tehran in 1963 and M.Sc. and Ph.D., from University of Toronto, in 1966 and 1969. In November 1969, he joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Manitoba as a Lecturer, Assistant Professor 1970, Associate Professor 1973, Professor 1979, Distinguished professor 2001, and Distinguished professor Emeritus 2016. In 1985, he established the Institute for technological Development to assist industries to access the university experts, and was its director until 1988. He was Department head 1987-1989, industrial research chair 1989-1994, the International Chair of Commission B of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI) 2005-2008, and Tier I Canada Research chair 2001-2016 in Applied Electromagnetics.
In 1986, he established the symposium on Antenna Technology and Applied Electromagnetics, ANTEM that became the premier Canadian conference in Antenna technology, applied electromagnetics, and their related topics, which he organized until 2018.
He has been the recipient of numerous awards. In 1978, his contribution to the design of the first miniaturized satellite terminal for the Hermes satellite was selected as the Meritorious Industrial Design. In 1984, he received the Manitoba Professional Engineers Merit Award, and in 1985 "The Thinker" Award from Canadian Patents and Development Corporation. From the University of Manitoba, he has received the "Research Awards" in 1983, 1987, 1989, 1999 and 2000, the Outreach Award in 1987 and the Sigma Xi Senior Scientist Award in 1989. In 1990 he received the Maxwell Premium Award from the Institution of Electrical Engineers (London), and in 1993 and 1994 the Distinguished Achievement Awards from Corporate Higher Education Forum. In 1998 he received the Winnipeg RH Institute Foundation Medal, the highest University of Manitoba research award. He is a life Fellow of IEEE and a life Fellow of The Royal Society of Canada, and was the recipient of the IEEE Third Millennium Medal in 2000. He became distinguished professor at the University of Manitoba in 2001, and in 2002 was elected a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineers. In 2003 he received IEEE Canada “Reginald A. Fessenden Medal” for “Outstanding Contributions to Telecommunications and Satellite Communications”, and a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Synergy Award for “Development of Advanced Satellite and Wireless Antennas”. In 2009 he was elected a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada, and was the recipient of IEEE Chen-To-Tai Distinguished Educator Award “For contributions to antenna teaching and research by developing curriculum, numerical techniques, establishing link between industry and university and its impact on students internationally”. In 2011 he received the Killam Prize in Engineering from The Canada Council, for his “outstanding Canadian career achievements in engineering, and his research on antennas”. In 2013 he received the “John Kraus antenna Award” from IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society “For contributions to the design and understanding of small high efficiency feeds and terminals, wideband planar antennas, low loss conductors, and virtual array antennas”. In 2014 he was the recipient of Edward E. Altschuler Best paper Prize from IEEE APS Magazine, and in 2016 the best paper award from IEEE ANTEM. In 2017, International Union of Radio Science (URSI) awarded him the Booker Gold Medal “For outstanding contributions to antenna miniaturization by electromagnetics and numerical techniques, small satellite terminals, planar antennas, invention of virtual reflectors, low loss engineered conductors and dielectric film components and antennas”. In 2018, he was the recipient of IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society’s Distinguished Achievement Award “For contributions to singular electromagnetics, moment methods, reflector feeds and virtual arrays, wideband antennas, gain enhancement in miniaturized antennas and dielectric film circuits and antennas” In 2019, he was appointed as the Officer of Order of Canada "For his fundamental contributions to the fields of electromagnetics and antenna and satellite development, which have led to renowned advancements in the telecommunications industry”. In 2024, he was inducted to “Citizens Hall of Fame” in Winnipeg for his international research, and advancement of the technology base in Winnipeg.