Photonics pioneer Brongersma wins IET’s 2026 Harvey award

He will receive prize money worth £350,000 to fund his research into nanoscale photonics, involving controlling the flow of light at small scales.

The world-renowned physicist and materials engineer has pioneered nanoscale optoelectronic devices and methods that have helped deliver faster internet, more immersive virtual reality, generated clean energy and helped to see through skin, noted the IET in its statement. 

IET President Dawn Ohlson said:?“The IET’s A F Harvey Engineering Research Prize helps leading scientists and engineers push the boundaries of innovation.

“Professor Brongersma is transforming nanoscale optoelectronic technology – a field that could further change how we communicate, power our homes, and experience the world. We’re proud to support the next stage of his groundbreaking research.” 

The IET added that nanoscale metallic, semiconductor, and insulating structures can strongly enhance the interaction of light and materials by resonating light waves, likening this to the manner in which vibrational resonances in a guitar string and its body can make sounds louder and richer.  

Brongersma and his research team have examined how their earlier insights into optical resonances could be applied to improve light-based technologies.

This has impacted optoelectronic components used in optical communication, augmented and virtual reality, displays, solar energy harvesting, hydrogen fuel generation, solid-state lighting, non-linear optics and neuroscience, noted the IET.  

Tuning light resonances by shaping and combining various nanostructured materials Brongersma determined  that at small scale, each part of a device played multiple purposes simultaneously, leading to advances in everyday technology. 

Speaking after his win, Brongersma said: “With this prize, I am excited to pursue the fabrication of the thinnest possible optoelectronic devices by harnessing the optical resonances that naturally occur in atomically-thin materials.

“By carefully controlling their resonant vibrations (phonons) and electronic excitations (excitons), it will be possible to create entirely new optoelectronic devices that can efficiently emit and steer light.” 

Commenting on earlier award winners and this year’s shortlisted candidates, Brongersma noted that each “has had a transformative impact on our engineering discipline”, adding a tribute to his group members and collaborators “who inspire me every day”.  

Brongersma  previously received the Walter Gores Award for excellence in teaching and the International Raymond and Beverly Sackler Prize in Physical Sciences.

Professor Brongersma will present his work at a keynote lecture broadcast live with a Q&A session and hosted by the IET, on 12 March 2026.

The A F Harvey prize is named after its benefactor Dr A F Harvey who provided a substantial sum to the IET for a trust fund to be set up in his name to further research in the specified fields of medical, microwave and radar, and laser/optoelectronic engineering, with the prize fund awarded to support the research of the recipient. 

For more information on the award, including the virtual lecture, click here and for information about the history of the AF Harvey Prize click here.