The research programs in Electrical and Computer Engineering cover a wide spectrum of activities in the primary disciplines of computing and communications; energy systems; intelligent systems; and photonics, electronics and quantum systems. Within these areas, there are many specialized research laboratories supporting activities in high performance computing, sensor networks, computer vision, machine learning, cybersecurity, bioelectronics, ion beam processing, VLSI design, MEMS, electric vehicles, renewable energy, smart grids, and more.
Computing and communications research focuses on the advanced technologies that connect people through a global communication network, and the computational methods that provide access to information and the power to analyze data. These systems incorporate wired and wireless networks, cluster computing, cybersecurity, data science, and sensor networks. Studies in this area prepare graduates for work in industries related to grid and server computing, telecommunications, security and privacy, and design and manufacturing of everything connected to the Internet.
Energy systems research focuses on the generation and management of power in both traditional electrical systems as well as modern applications of renewable energy. Examples include electric vehicles, energy storage, microgrids, power systems automation and optimization, and smart grids. Design problems span everything from individual electric machines to vast interconnected power generation and distribution systems. Students of this area are recruited in all industries related to energy including electrical, nuclear, wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.
Research in intelligent systems focuses on the technologies used to design and engineer state-of-the-art machines. These machines incorporate sensors, computers, and mechanical components. Examples include wearable devices, AI-enhanced appliances, smartphones, biomedical devices, manufacturing robots, and drones. Skills in this area are widely sought in industries related to bioinformatics, robotics, autonomous vehicles, advanced manufacturing, defense, and applied computer engineering.
Research in photonics, electronics and quantum systems focuses on the applications of material science to electronic system design. These systems consider the effects at the nanoscale of physics, electromagnetism, and light. Innovative designs improve sensing, circuit design and efficiency, signal transmission and amplification, and quantum computation. Students in this area are well prepared for jobs in semiconductors, solid state electronics, nanotechnology, medical imaging, and material engineering.