# Atwater Research Group
**Source**: https://atwater.caltech.edu/
**Parent**: https://aph.caltech.edu/news/harnessing-sunlight-to-make-sustainable-fuels
ILLUMINATING THE INTERSECTION OF NANOPHOTONICS AND ENERGY
Our research is focused at the **light-energy-nanoscale** nexus. Research on **light-matter interactions at the nanoscale** encompasses quantum nanophotonics, metasurfaces, two-dimensional and layered materials, optomechanics. Research initiatives in **energy conversion** spans work on solar photovoltaics and space solar power, carbon capture, and photoelectrochemical energy conversion.
## Research Areas
[Metastructures](https://atwater.caltech.edu/research/nanophotonics/metastructures)
[Photoelectrochemical Solar Fuels](https://atwater.caltech.edu/research/energy-and-sustainability/artificial-photosynthesis-and-solar-fuels)
[Quantum Light Emission](https://atwater.caltech.edu/research/nanophotonics/quantum-light-emission)
[Photovoltaics](https://atwater.caltech.edu/research/energy-and-sustainability/photovoltaics)
[Thermal Radiation](https://atwater.caltech.edu/research/nanophotonics/thermal-radiation)
[Lightsail Spacecraft and Radiation Pressure Optomechanics](https://atwater.caltech.edu/research/nanophotonics/lightsail-spacecraft-and-radiation-pressure-optomechanics)
[Carbon Capture](https://atwater.caltech.edu/research/energy-and-sustainability/carbon-capture)
February 19, 2026
[Ellis Spickerman selected as recipient of the Fall MRS Presentation Award](https://atwater.caltech.edu/news/ellis-spickerman-selected-as-recipient-of-the-fall-mrs-presentation-award)
Ellis Spickerman selected as recipient of the Fall MRS Presentation Award, a distinction recognizing outstanding clarity, impact, and excellence in presenting materials research.
December 10, 2025
[Dr. Komron Shayegan wins the Rising Stars of Light award!](https://atwater.caltech.edu/news/dr-komron-shayegan-wins-the-rising-stars-of-light-award)
**Congratulations to Dr. Komron Shayegan on winning the** ***Rising Stars of Light*** **award!**This award, initiated by the Nature journal *Light: Science & Applications*, is a worldwide program honoring emerging young scientists who have demonstrated excellence in optics-related research.
January 31, 2025
[The Pressure to Explore: Caltech Researchers Take First Experimental Steps Toward Lightsails that Could Reach Distant Star Systems](https://atwater.caltech.edu/news/the-pressure-to-explore-caltech-researchers-take-first-experimental-steps-toward-lightsails-that-could-reach-distant-star-systems)
The Atwater group has made the first experimental measurements of laser-induced motions of miniature lightsails in the lab.
September 25, 2024
[Gizmodo Science Fair: Beaming Solar Energy From Space to Earth](https://gizmodo.com/science-fair-space-solar-power-1851355705)
A Caltech experiment demonstrated space-based solar power’s potential, marking a key step in harnessing orbital renewable energy.
July 24, 2024
[Nanoscale Device Simultaneously Steers and Shifts Frequency of Optical Light, Pointing the Way to Future Wireless Communication Channels](https://atwater.caltech.edu/news/nanoscale-device-simultaneously-steers-and-shifts-frequency-of-optical-light-pointing-the-way-to-future-wireless-communication-channels)
A tunable metasurface developed in Harry Atwater's lab can control optical light in space and time, offering a path toward new ways of wirelessly and securely transmitting large amounts of data both on Earth and in space.