Colorado School of Mines

Antennas, RFID &
Computational EM

The ARC Research Group advances high-frequency antenna design, RFID localization, and FDTD-based electromagnetic simulation at the frontier of wireless technology.

Meet the Team Our Research
19+Members
55+Projects
50+Publications
150+Meetings
What We Do

Research Areas

📡

Antenna Design

Full-spectrum antenna development from simulation (HFSS, CEMS) through in-house fabrication to anechoic chamber measurement. Miniaturized, wideband, and conformal designs for CubeSats to 5G.

🏷️

RFID Systems

Novel miniaturized reader/tag antenna designs and new RFID applications, with a focus on cost-effective passive RFID localization for challenging environments including underground mines.

💻

Computational EM

FDTD-based solvers accelerated with multi-GPU/CPU consumer hardware (Nvidia RTX/Titan, Intel i7). Applications span antenna characterization, biomedical imaging, and drilling-environment propagation.

🎓

EM Education

Interactive visualization tools, guided simulation software, and hands-on measurement demonstrations to make electromagnetic phenomena accessible to students at all levels.

We know design.

Our labs house a custom-built anechoic chamber (700 MHz – 18 GHz) for near-field and far-field antenna measurements, alongside industry-standard VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and GPU compute clusters.

View Gallery
ARC Anechoic Chamber
The Group

Meet the Team

Faculty

Dr. Atef Elsherbeni

Dr. Atef Elsherbeni

Director

Scattering/diffraction of EM waves, computational EM using FDTD, field visualization & software development for EM education, RFID/sensor integrated RFID systems, and reflector/printed antennas & antenna arrays.

Dr. Peter Aaen

Dr. Peter Aaen

Co-Director

Multi-physics based modeling and measurement methodologies for high-power and high-frequency electronic devices, nonlinear electrothermal transistor modeling, efficient electromagnetic simulations, compact models for microwave power transistors and RFICs, calibration techniques for microwave measurements.

Dr. Sihua Shao

Dr. Sihua Shao

Co-Director

Backscatter communication, energy-neutral design, optical wireless communications, integrated sensing and communication, drone-assisted wireless networks, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, machine learning in communications and networking, and wireless communications in harsh environments.

PhD Candidates

Joseph Diener

Joseph Diener

Antenna design, SDR applications, FDTD, and channel sounding.

Projects ›
Matthew Dodd

Matthew Dodd

Wideband antenna design and antenna array optimization.

Projects ›
Robert Jones

Robert Jones

Antenna design and metrology, and channel sounding.

Projects ›
Cameron Connolly

Cameron Connolly

Microwave circuit design, advanced electromagnetic analysis software, RFID systems, and space communications.

Projects ›

MS Students

Cameron Evanovich

Cameron Evanovich

Nelson Angels

Nelson Angels

FDTD for biomedical applications, brain-computer interfaces, wireless communications, and antenna design.

Projects ›
Kobe Prior

Kobe Prior

Antenna design, computational electromagnetics, structured electromagnetic waves including orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes, phased array synthesis, and experimental characterization of scattering phenomena.

Projects ›
Elizabeth Petersen

Elizabeth Petersen

Antenna design and optimization for healthcare applications.

Projects ›

Undergraduate Students

Natalie Smith

Natalie Smith

RF and antenna design for secure spacecraft communication, navigation, and advanced space system applications.

Projects ›
Lydia Tan

Lydia Tan

Developing computational tools for visualization of electromagnetic waves and antenna patterns.

Projects ›
Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith

Computational electromagnetics and antenna design.

Projects ›
Jann Tyler Zantua

Jann Tyler Zantua

Antenna design and simulation.

Bennett Lindseth

Bennett Lindseth

RF/microwave circuits and antenna design.

Projects ›
Lauren Kidney

Lauren Kidney

Circuit design, RFID systems, and antenna design.

Cypress Reed

Cypress Reed

Computational electromagnetics and medical applications for RF.

Projects ›
Charlie Fent

Charlie Fent

Antenna design and signal processing methods for wireless communications and computational electromagnetics.

Past Members

Past Co-Director

Dr. Mohammed Hadi

Dr. Mohammed Hadi

Past Co-Director

Finite-difference time-domain theory, large-scale and multi-scale electromagnetics systems, and GPU computing.

Past PhD Students

Alec Weiss

Alec Weiss

Multi-GPU/CPU FDTD and RFID localization.

Projects ›
Joshua Kast

Joshua Kast

Beamforming, RFID localization, and SDR.

Projects ›
Abdullah Algarni

Abdullah Algarni

Cylindrical FDTD for drilling applications.

Projects ›
Yimming Chen

Yimming Chen

Antenna array optimization and machine learning.

Projects ›
Nolan Grant

Nolan Grant

Projects ›
Kyle Patel

Kyle Patel

Past MS Students

Robert Jones

Robert Jones

Antenna design and metrology, and channel sounding.

Projects ›
Alec Weiss

Alec Weiss

Multi-GPU/CPU FDTD and RFID localization.

Projects ›
Joshua Kast

Joshua Kast

Beamforming, RFID localization, and SDR.

Projects ›
Kyle Patel

Kyle Patel

Madison Le

Madison Le

Computational electromagnetics in FDTD, antenna design, and numerical method analysis.

Projects ›
Andy Velasco

Andy Velasco

Dispersive material simulations.

Projects ›
Yuhao Feng

Yuhao Feng

5G antenna design and testing.

Projects ›
Tony D'Esposito

Tony D'Esposito

Higher-order FDTD.

Projects ›
Rachel Lumnitzer

Rachel Lumnitzer

Dispersive material simulations, FDTD analysis for 5G biomedical applications, and electromagnetic education.

Projects ›
Collin Kringlen

Collin Kringlen

Computational electromagnetics and electromagnetic education via field visualizations and software programs.

Projects ›
Silje Ostrem

Silje Ostrem

Unique/wideband antenna geometry and biomedical applications of RF/Microwave design.

Projects ›
Kenny Hora

Kenny Hora

Embedded development, RFID localization, and SDR.

Projects ›

Past Undergraduate Students

Robert Jones

Robert Jones

Antenna design and metrology, and channel sounding.

Projects ›
Cameron Connolly

Cameron Connolly

Microwave circuit design, advanced electromagnetic analysis software, RFID systems, and space communications.

Projects ›
Kobe Prior

Kobe Prior

Antenna design, computational electromagnetics, structured electromagnetic waves including orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes, phased array synthesis, and experimental characterization of scattering phenomena.

Projects ›
Elizabeth Petersen

Elizabeth Petersen

Antenna design and optimization for healthcare applications.

Projects ›
Kyle Patel

Kyle Patel

Madison Le

Madison Le

Computational electromagnetics in FDTD, antenna design, and numerical method analysis.

Projects ›
Rachel Lumnitzer

Rachel Lumnitzer

Dispersive material simulations, FDTD analysis for 5G biomedical applications, and electromagnetic education.

Projects ›
Silje Ostrem

Silje Ostrem

Unique/wideband antenna geometry and biomedical applications of RF/Microwave design.

Projects ›
Jonathan Homza

Jonathan Homza

Computational electromagnetics and space communications.

Aidan Malensek

Aidan Malensek

Narrowband Electronically Steerable Arrays (ESA), RFID, spacecraft communication systems.

Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore

High speed board design, radar applications, and antenna design.

Lisa Elmiladi

Lisa Elmiladi

Embedded system design, wireless/RF communications, and non-invasive medical technology.

Projects ›
Aiden Morrison

Aiden Morrison

Antennas in aerospace applications.

Kenny Hora

Kenny Hora

Embedded development, RFID localization, and SDR.

Projects ›
Charles Vath

Charles Vath

Computational electromagnetics and electromagnetic education via field visualizations and software programs.

Projects ›
Madeleine Nightengale-Luhan

Madeleine Nightengale-Luhan

Antenna theory and design, SDR applications, microwave devices, and RF systems.

Trevor Wolf

Trevor Wolf

SDR, RFID, and satellite communication.

Projects ›
Spencer Hutchinson

Spencer Hutchinson

Chipless RFID, RFID localization and applications.

Projects ›
Allison Tanner

Allison Tanner

Finite Difference Time Domain time reversal.

Projects ›
Grace Martinez

Grace Martinez

Advancing the efficacy of implantable antennas in medical devices.

Funding Opportunities

Viceroy Fellowship

$2,500 / semester + Paid Summer Internship

The Viceroy Fellowship is a Colorado Virtual Center program led by UCCS and funded by the Griffiss Institute via the Under Secretary of Defense Research and Engineering.

Requirements

  • Current EE undergraduate at Colorado School of Mines with emphasis on antennas & wireless
  • Coursework in Electromagnetics, Antennas, Phased Arrays, Microwave Devices, RFID, or Computational EM
  • Eligible for DoD security clearance
  • Intent to pursue DoD or defense industry employment
  • Participation in research and paid summer internship

Upcoming Deadlines

Fall 2026April 3, 2026

Contact: aelsherb@mines.edu

Before applying, prepare:

  • Educational and professional goals (PDF, ≤1 page)
  • Response: significant DoD cybersecurity / EMS challenges (PDF, ≤1 page)
  • Current transcript
  • One recommendation letter

You must be signed in to your @mines.edu Google account to apply.

Apply Online →
Latest Updates

News

Graduating Senior Awards — Spring 2026

Two ARC Lab researchers were selected for Graduating Senior Awards for the EE Class of Spring 2026. Elizabeth Petersen received the EE E-Days Engineer Award, and Kobe Prior received the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award for the Electrical Engineering Department. Both have been integral members of the ARC Lab and contributed to multiple research projects including their Viceroy Symposium research on "Shielding Material for Reducing Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)" and "16-Element Phased Array for Coarse AoA Estimation," respectively.

Viceroy Symposium — Williamsburg, VA

Several ARC Lab researchers — Elizabeth Petersen, Kobe Prior, Andrew Smith, Natalie Smith, and Dr. Elsherbeni — attended the Viceroy Symposium in Williamsburg, Virginia. They presented posters on phased arrays, EMI shielding, and FDTD acceleration, and networked with officials from the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USDR&E) and other Viceroy Scholars.

Presented Papers & Links

Silje Ostrem — Thesis Defense & GRADS Best Poster

Silje Ostrem successfully defended her MS thesis "Conformal Circularly Polarized Array of Patch Antennas For Mining Applications." She was also awarded Best Overall Poster Presentation at the 2026 Graduate Research and Discovery Symposium (GRADS), along with first place in her category (Energy & Mechanical Systems – MSc Thesis).

National Radio Science Meeting — Boulder, CO

From January 6–9, three ARC researchers — Matthew Dodd (not pictured), Silje Ostrem, and Kobe Prior — along with Director Dr. Atef Elsherbeni attended and presented at the National Radio Science Meeting in Boulder, Colorado.

Presented Papers & Links

Archive

2025

Redwire Space Lab Tour

On Thursday, December 11th, ARC students toured Redwire Space. They learned about Redwire's focus on resilient, space-proof RF systems and antenna designs, and got to see the offices, production floors, and a large near/far-field chamber. Thanks to Redwire for hosting, and to Brian Sanders, Colton Dunlap, and Mike Sharkey for sharing their expertise.

Natalie Smith — Fall Undergraduate Research Symposium

Natalie presented at the Fall 2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium. Her poster focused on the design of wideband wire dipole antennas, achieving more than a 30% increase in bandwidth compared to traditional dipole antennas.

Dr. Elsherbeni — ACES 2025 Computational EM Award

Dr. Atef Elsherbeni was awarded the ACES 2025 Computational Electromagnetics Award.

Lydia Tan — 3rd Place at Spring UG Research Symposium

Congratulations to Lydia Tan on tying for 3rd place in the oral presentation category of the Spring 2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium! Lydia is a sophomore in EE, president of SOFC, vice president of SASE, and campus outreach chair of Evolve. Her research focused on Parameters Visualization for Coaxial Cables, Parallel Plates, and Two-Wires — creating MATLAB apps for dynamic visualization of frequency-dependent transmission line characteristics. Mentored by Dr. Atef Elsherbeni.

Silje Ostrem — 1st Place at GRADS 2025

Silje Ostrem, a combined BS/MS student, received first place in the 2025 GRADS Computation & Theory Poster Session (MSc Thesis). Her poster, "Design of a Circularly Polarized Patch Antenna System for Mining Applications," focuses on developing a conformal circularly polarized patch antenna for underground mining — enabling reliable communication of bit wear on continuous miner machines to improve mine safety.

2024

LEAD SUMMET High School Lab Shadowing

Two high school students, Sophia and Kainoa, began lab shadowing in the ARC Lab as part of the LEAD SUMMET program — an expansion of the Summer Multicultural Engineering Training initiative. They visited Connor Denny in the thin-film deposition lab, learned about wire bonding and plasma etching, then did hands-on antenna prototyping in the ARC Lab: Kaino designed a 1.5 GHz Yagi-Uda antenna and Sophia designed a 3 GHz microstrip patch antenna. Both tested their designs in the anechoic chamber.

Applied Computational Electromagnetics Symposium — Orlando, FL

Members of the ARC research group participated in the Applied Computational Electromagnetics Symposium in Orlando (May 2024). Six papers were presented by Matthew Dodd, Charles Vath, Nelson Angels, Silje Ostrem, Kenny Hora, and Lisa Elmiladi. Four members co-chaired sessions and all helped manage conference logistics. Additional contributors include Nolan Grant, Cameron Evanovich, Collin Kringlen, and Trevor Wolf.

Presented Papers & Links

Kenny Hora — GRADS 2024

Kenny Hora presented at the 2024 Graduate Research and Discovery Symposium (GRADS). Together with Silje Ostrem and Charles Vath, he presented on a Sensor Data Relay System for Underground Mine Equipment — a novel system to communicate data from sensor-enabled 'smart bits' on a continuous mining cutterhead, enabling operators to monitor rock cutting tool wear in real time.

Dr. Elsherbeni at ICEAA/IEEE APWC — Lisbon, Portugal

Dr. Atef Elsherbeni presented two papers and offered a short course at the combined ICEAA and IEEE APWC conferences (September 3–6, 2024) in Lisbon, Portugal. He also chaired the conference awards committee.

Presented Papers & Links
  • Pyramidally Shaped Absorbing Boundary for FDTD Simulations
  • A Review of Radar Cross-Section Evaluation of Canonical and Complex Objects
  • Short Course: Time Domain Simulation of EM Problems with Linear and Nonlinear Circuit Elements
2023

Dr. Elsherbeni — Harrington-Mittra Award in Computational EM

Dr. Atef Elsherbeni received the 2023 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society Harrington-Mittra Award in Computational Electromagnetics, cited for his contributions to computational electromagnetics with hardware acceleration techniques.

Matthew Dodd at APS-UES 2023

Congratulations to Matthew Dodd for his participation at the APS-UES 2023 meeting.

Nelson, Rachel, and Silje at ACES 2023 — Monterey, CA

Congratulations to Nelson Angels, Rachel Lumnitzer, and Silje Ostrem for their participation in the 2023 ACES Conference held in Monterey, CA.

Rachel Lumnitzer Earns her Master's Degree

Congratulations to Rachel Lumnitzer on successfully earning her Master's degree!

Nelson Angels & Silje Ostrem — ARDC Award

Congratulations to Nelson Angels and Silje Ostrem for receiving the ARDC Award.

5 ARC Members at the 2023 Undergraduate Research Symposium

Congratulations to five ARC research group members who presented at the 2023 Undergraduate Research Symposium: Kenny Hora, Charles Vath, Silje Ostrem, Trevor Wolf, and Kobe Prior.

2020

Three Successful Thesis & Dissertation Defenses

Congratulations to three ARC research group members who successfully defended their Thesis/Dissertation: Abdullah Algarni (Ph.D. Dissertation), Yuhao Feng (Master's Thesis), and Madison Le (Master's Thesis).

Dr. Elsherbeni — IEEE AP-S Distinguished Lecturer 2020–2022

Dr. Atef Elsherbeni was selected as a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society (AP-S) for the period of 2020–2022.

GRADS 2020 — ARC Members Win Category Awards

Two ARC group members won category awards at the Mines GRADS 2020 Awards Ceremony. Madison Le won the Modeling and Simulation category for her presentation on sub-gridding errors in FDTD simulations. Rachel Lumnitzer placed second in the Engineering category for her presentation on 1D FDTD in dispersive media for biomedical imaging applications.

GRADS 2020 Awards Ceremony

Madison Le GRADS Presentation

Rachel Lumnitzer GRADS Presentation

2019

Madison Le — 3rd Place at ACES 2019 Student Paper Competition

Madison Le's paper "Error Analysis of Subgridding when Modeling Multiscale Structures using the Finite-Difference Time-Domain Method" won third place in the 2019 ACES student paper competition. A poster is displayed in the hallway outside the EE department office BB310C.

Our Work

Gallery

Publications →
CubeSat antenna Antenna pattern RFID system FDTD simulation Antenna test range ACES Conference ARC Lab ACES 2019 group
Open Source Tools

Software

Software packages developed by the ARC Lab, freely available for download and use.

Get In Touch

Contact

📍 Brown Hall, 1610 Illinois St., Golden, Colorado 80401, USA

🏢 Office: Brown Building 314C

✉️ aelsherb@mines.edu