Christophe Caloz is the prototypical science “prodigy,” a bit like the rare-earth elements found in the periodic table. He is one of those individuals whose potential is immediately apparent to laboratory directors… Dr. Caloz is among those few scientists who are never content merely to refine or improve upon the work of others, but who instead continually strive to formulate – and bring to fruition – completely new ideas.

For example, after developing the first leaky-wave antenna capable of efficiently scanning full spaces in 2002, Dr. Caloz did not sit back and rest on his laurels. He went on to develop a new theory demonstrating that the efficiency and polarization of these so-called smart antennas could be controlled by the symmetry or asymmetry of their unit cells. All that remained was to figure out how to design the antennas in order to best take advantage of these properties… which he also did!

Considered a leader – before turning 40 – in the field of electromagnetic engineering, Dr. Caloz, who is originally from Switzerland, obtained his doctorate at the École Polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne in 2000. He then spent four years as a postdoctoral fellow at the renowned Microwave Electronics Laboratory at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he received the university's esteemed Chancellors Prize. Following this, he came to Polytechnique Montréal, where he launched his career as a professor and researcher.

If you are wondering where the technological breakthroughs come from that enable us to meet our ever-growing need for mobility in this age of global telecommunications and social networks, look no further than “metamaterials,” a field in which Dr. Caloz has been a true pioneer for over a decade now. Artificial electromagnetic materials that have properties not found in nature, metamaterials offer THE most promise when it comes to radiofrequencies, since they allow us to push the boundaries of physics with regard to the transmission of electromagnetic signals.

Dr. Caloz is the “father” of a new generation of multi-scale metamaterials (millimetric, micrometric, nanometric and atomic). Their enormous potential is based on the combination of new components – such as ferromagnetic nanoparticles, multiferroic substances, graphene sheets, etc. – whose novel structures give rise to new multi-physical effects. They are found in leaky-wave antennas, of course, as well as in many other devices. The award-winning engineer also uses them in routers and television transmitters, as well as in wireless communication systems that offer unprecedented bandwidth and reliability. With regard to industrial partnerships, this research has provided technology for companies such as Research in Motion, now called Blackberry, which have supported Dr. Caloz's work in recent years, and has led to the creation of a spin-off company, ScisWave. 

Are all of these remarkable achievements due to his young age, his innovative teaching methods or his exciting research interests – or perhaps all three at once? Dr. Caloz has certainly been successful in the classroom: since 2010, he has earned a dozen distinctions together with his students, including the Best Paper Award at an IEEE international microwave conference, an award for best PhD thesis in Spain for a student co-supervised with a colleague at the University of Cartagena, an award for best doctoral dissertation at Polytechnique, and the Governor General of Canada's Academic Medal.

Dr. Caloz also earned a remarkable distinction on his own at the beginning of the year: the prestigious Steacie Fellowship from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Fellows each receive a research grant of $250,000 and $150,000 in scientific equipment funding; in addition, they are relieved of teaching and administrative duties for a period of two years so that they can devote all of their time to research. Hard to beat that!

The Prix Urgel-Archambault was created in 1953 in honour of Urgel-Eugène Archambault, Founding Director of Polytechnique Montréal. It is given to a person conducting research in the physical sciences, mathematics, computer sciences or engineering.

Our heartiest congratulations on winning this prestigious award!

Source: Luc Dupont, Acfas

See also:
Dr. Caloz's official web page
Acfas website