Dr. D. Elliott Williams is an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Hofstra University. His research focuses on developing adaptive electromagnetic systems using novel degrees of freedom. His vision is to create devices with enhanced control of electromagnetic fields that can dynamically adapt to changing environments and/or needs. Working with colleagues in the aerospace department at Caltech, Dr. Williams invented the first shape-changing phased array and demonstrated that it can break the trade-off between maximum gain and steering range.
Prior to joining the faculty at Hofstra University, Dr. Williams earned a B.S. and an M.Eng. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT in 2015 and 2016, respectively, and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Caltech in 2022. At MIT he conducted research on generating THz noise using Schottkey diodes in avalanche breakdown and developed a robotics platform for introductory engineering education. Dr. Williams has also worked at SpaceX where he helped develop the phased arrays for the initial prototype Starlink satellites, and at Apple Inc. where he explored experimental technologies for new product features.
Dr. Williams was a recipient of the Analog Devices Outstanding Student Designer Award in 2017 and won the 2022 EuMC Young Engineer Prize for his work on flexible meta-gaps.
His outside interests include playing guitar, listening to music, petting his dog, and baking.
