IEEE AP-S TC4
Workshop on Metamaterials and Smart Electromagnetic Environments

On July 8, 2026, the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society (AP-S) Technical Committee on Metamaterials (TC4) and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) jointly organized the Workshop on Metamaterials and Smart Electromagnetic Environments. The event was held at the Computer Design Research and Learning Center (CDRLC) on UI's campus.

The full-day workshop brought together researchers, industry professionals, faculty members, and IEEE Young Professionals to exchange insights on recent advances in metamaterials, metasurfaces, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, fluid antenna systems, and antenna and wireless technologies for 6G and beyond. The technical program also featured emerging interdisciplinary developments at the intersection of electromagnetics with artificial intelligence, digital twins, biomedical sensing, microwave tomography, and quantum computing (events.vtools.ieee.org/m/560623).

Serving as an interactive forum for discussion and knowledge exchange, the workshop connected fundamental research in electromagnetic engineering and applied physics, as well as their practical industry applications. It also provided early-career researchers and young professionals with valuable opportunities to engage with established experts, develop professional connections, and explore future collaborations.

The workshop was organized by Prof. Pai-Yen Chen of UIC, Chair of the IEEE Chicago AP-S/MTT-S Joint Chapter, and Prof. Alessio Monti of Roma Tre University, Chair of IEEE AP-S TC4: Metamaterials. The event opened with welcoming remarks from Prof. Danilo Erricolo of UIC, IEEE AP-S Vice President for Conferences, who presented a strategic overview of AP-S programs and initiatives aimed at supporting and advancing the global antennas and propagation community. The workshop was sponsored by IEEE AP-S TC4: Metamaterials and the University of Illinois Chicago.