Wheatstone Lecture 2026 - Sir John Pendry

Regarded as the founder of the metamaterials field, Sir John Pendry, Chair in Theoretical Solid State Physics at Imperial College London, will explain how metamaterials are revolutionising our understanding of electromagnetism by enabling properties and effects never before seen in nature.

The lecture will explore the extraordinary innovations in metamaterials and their potential to reshape the future of science and technology. A drinks reception will follow. See the full agenda at the bottom of the page.

In recent years, the ability to design and fabricate materials with entirely new electromagnetic properties has given rise to the exciting field of metamaterials. Known as metamaterials because they take us beyond the properties of conventional materials, they display remarkable effects not found in nature, such as negative refraction.

Spurred on by these new opportunities, theorists have produced exotic concepts that exploit the new materials: we can now specify how to make a lens whose resolution is limited not by the laws of nature but only by our ability to build to the stated specifications. We can guide radiation along a trajectory, avoiding objects and causing them to appear invisible. We can design and manufacture materials that are active magnetically in the optical range.

There has been a truly amazing amount of innovation but more is yet to come. The field of metamaterials is developing into a highly disruptive technology for a plethora of applications where control over light (or more generally electromagnetic radiation) is crucial for example in 5G/6G technology, satellite communications, solar energy harvesting, stealth, biological imaging and sensing, and enhanced MRI scanners.

The lecture will conclude with a look at cutting-edge research into space-time crystals, materials structured in both space and time that break time-reversal symmetry. These developments not only offer possibilities for new devices but also raise fascinating theoretical possibilities, such as simulating Hawking radiation in laboratory settings.

Sir John Pendry is Chair in Theoretical Solid State Physics at Imperial College London. John is a condensed matter theorist and has worked at Imperial since 1981. He began his career in the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge. After a year at Bell Laboratories he spent six years at the Daresbury Laboratory where he headed the theoretical group.

He is generally regarded as the founder of the field of metamaterials, completely novel materials with properties not found in nature that owe their properties to internal structure rather than chemical composition. These materials can have remarkable properties such as negative refractive index and lenses that break the diffraction limit, enabling the realisation of a prototype cloaking device, so-called "invisibility cloaks". His most recent work - META4D - adds the dimension of time to their structure.

Portrait of Sir John Pendry

About the Wheatstone Lecture

Hosted since 2013, Wheatstone Lecture is the flagship lecture series for the the Department of Physics. The event brings together distinguished academics, allowing them to delve into pivotal research topics within their respective fields.

Sir Charles Wheatstone FRS (1802-75) was Professor of Experimental Philosophy at King's and was the first Professor in the Department from 1834 until he died in 1875. Polymath and self-taught son of a London-based musical instrument maker, Wheatstone conducted early experiments into acoustics and the transmission of sound. His greatest achievement was the development of the electric telegraph, which revolutionised communications in the 19th century.

Disclaimer: For in-person events we operate a policy of overbooking, given drop-out rates. Please ensure you arrive in good time to avoid disappointment on the day.

Livestream:

• This event will be livestreamed from 17:00 to 18:10 and a recording will be shared on the NMES Faculty YouTube channel.

• You will receive the livestream link closer to the event.

Photography and videography: The event you will be attending will have photography and videography. If you do not wish to appear in any recordings or photographs, please approach our registration team on the day of the event or email [email protected] before the event. Photographs and recordings taken may feature in our publications or on the King’s website and social media channels. All personal data will be processed in accordance with King’s privacy policy available on request or at .

Alumni Privacy Statement:

Alumni details will be passed onto the Alumni Office, who will hold your details to personalise your alumni supporter experience. If you would prefer not to hear from us, you can unsubscribe from all further communications at any time by emailing [email protected] for information on how we use your details please see our privacy statement: Privacy policy | King’s alumni | King’s College London (kcl.ac.uk)

Privacy notice:

We collect and process your personal information to help us manage and run the event. In accordance with the King’s College London Data Retention Schedule, we will keep your information until the completion of the event. To find out more about how the university deals with your personal information, including your rights, please see the . Your personal information will be transferred to the United States via Eventbrite. Please read the where you can find out more on how Eventbrite protects your data.

Info: Strand Main Reception

Info: Edmond J. Safra Lecture Theatre, King's Building, Strand Campus

Info: Edmond J. Safra Lecture Theatre, King's Building, Strand Campus

Info: Edmond J. Safra Lecture Theatre, King's Building, Strand Campus

Info: Somerset Room

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Edmond J. Safra Lecture Theatre, Strand, London, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Get App