Utkarsh Singh

Utkarsh Singh, a PhD student in Purdue University’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has received a 2026 SPIE Optics and Photonics Scholarship in recognition of his potential contributions to optics, photonics and related fields.

Utkarsh is one of 85 student members of SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics, to be awarded a scholarship in May 2026.

Utkarsh works with Zubin Jacob, the Elmore Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, on a new class of infrared detectors known as Poisson bolometers. These detectors are designed to sense heat with fast readout speeds without any cooling requirements, which could make thermal imaging systems faster, smaller and more practical for use outside specialized lab settings.

His research brings together the areas of spintronics, nanophotonics and infrared detection. In simpler terms, Utkarsh is studying new ways to capture information from heat and light using nanoscale devices. That work could help advance technologies such as thermal imaging, high-speed event-based vision and Heat-Assisted Detection and Ranging, or HADAR, a developing approach that uses heat signals to help machines “see” and understand their surroundings.

“Infrared detection gives us a way to see the world beyond what visible light can show,” Utkarsh said. “My goal is to help develop imaging technologies that are more sensitive, faster and better suited for autonomous and intelligent systems. I’m grateful to SPIE for supporting this work and for recognizing the importance of advancing the next generation of sensing hardware. I’m also indebted to my advisors and mentors for their support.”

SPIE has distributed nearly $8 million in individual scholarships since 1978. The organization, founded in 1955, supports engineers, scientists, students and business professionals working to advance light-based science and technology through conferences, publications, professional development and educational programs.