Ishwar Aggarwal

Ishwar D. Aggarwal is an American materials scientist and physicist known for his work on infrared optical materials and optical fibers. He is a Professor of Research in Physics and Optical Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He previously worked at the United States Naval Research Laboratory, where he led research on optical materials. He is a Fellow of Optica and of the National Academy of Inventors.

Career Aggarwal began his career at Corning Glass Works, where he worked on glass and optical-fiber research and development. He later held research and management positions in the optical-technology industry, including serving as vice president for development and engineering at Lasertron, Inc.

At NRL, Aggarwal led research on infrared optical materials, optical fibers, high-strength transparent materials and fiber-optic chemical and biological sensors. His research group pioneered the development, application and commercialization of low-loss infrared-transmitting glass fibers and transparent spinel ceramics. The group also developed specialty purification and fiber-manufacturing processes for producing low-loss, high-strength infrared fibers. He is also affiliated with the university's Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications. At UNC Charlotte, he established the Ultra High Energy Laser Optics program, which supports research on laser components and directed-energy technologies. In recognition of his service and the gift, the university renamed the Department of Physics and Optical Science the Ishwar Aggarwal Department of Physics and Optical Science.

Awards and honors In 2011, he received the David Richardson Medal from the Optical Society. In 2012, he received the Arthur E. Bisson Prize for Naval Technology Achievement Award from the Office of Naval Research and was elected a fellow of Optica. In 2024, he was elected a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and was named to the inaugural Million Dollar Research Circle at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.