Allen Taflove

Biography

Allen Taflove is considered the researcher most responsible for the worldwide use of finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) methods for solving scientific and engineering problems involving electromagnetic wave interactions with material objects. Since 1972, his FDTD research has pioneered fundamental theory, algorithms, and applications of the numerical technique for Maxwell’s equations published by K.S. Yee in 1966. Through Prof. Taflove’s research, FDTD has become the primary method to model complex electromagnetic interactions ranging across the spectrum from ultralow-frequency geophysical phenomena spanning the entire Earth to nanometer-scale photonics. His publication, Computational Electrodynamics: The Finite-Difference Time-Domain Method, is the seventh most-cited book in physics.

An IEEE Fellow, Dr. Taflove is a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA. Here, he is applying FDTD to develop novel hyperspectral microscopy techniques for early detection of deadly human cancers. Taflove was the recipient of the 2014 IEEE Electromagnetics Award.