FOCUS ON RESEARCH 2016

THE BRADLEY DEPARTMENT OF

ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING

V I R G I N I A T E C H

Greetings to our colleagues and alumni! As this brochure demon-strates, the Bradley Department

of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech is conducting research in a wide variety of cutting-edge topics. We strive to answer the “big questions,” and push technology and science to improve lives and the world around us.

In the past year, we have succeeded in recruiting 9 new faculty members in the areas of machine learning, energy-ef-ficient networks-on-chip, power electron-ics, cybersecurity, nanoscale materials, cyberphysical systems, biophotonics, and real-time embedded systems. Our faculty now stands at 78 tenured/tenure-track members, 30 research faculty, 4 instruc-tors and 4 professors of practice. We are currently conducting searches in distrib-

FROM THE

Luke LesterDepartment Head

uted computing, integrated circuits and systems, and power and energy systems. The search ads can be found on the de-partment website: ece.vt.edu.

With over 600 graduate students and 1200 undergrads studying in the fields mentioned above and others such as computer vision, fiber-based sensing, wireless communications and networking, space science and engineering, nanopho-tonics, and computational biology, we have an extensive research portfolio that now realizes about $39 million annually. Please take a close look at the contents of this report. If you have any questions about our research activities, or want to get involved with the department, don’t hesitate to contact me or another mem-ber of our faculty.

www.ece.vt.edu

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More than 13,000 citations in last 5 years

An average of 1 citation every 3.5 HOURS

30% of top cited publications in last 5 years by women

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MCF-7 cancer cell im

age on cover and center spread courtesy of Molecular D

evices, LLC.

How can we use TIME-VARIANT AND NONLINEAR TECHNIQUES to radiate a wideband signal for small antennas in remote places?

How can we improve the performance of CONCURRENT APPLICATIONS using hardware transactional memory?

Michael S. Hsiao, Binoy Ravindran, Roberto Palmieri Daniel J. Stilwell, Pratap Tokekar, Ryan K. Williams

A. Lynn Abbott, Jia-Bin Huang

Robert P. Broadwater, Virgilio A. Centeno, Jaime De La Ree, Vassilis Kekatos, Lamine M. Mili, Saifur Rahman, Kwa-Sur Tam

Dushan Boroyevich, Rolando P. Burgos, Jih-Sheng (Jason) Lai, Fred C. Lee, Qiang Li, Douglas K. Lindner, Khai D.T. Ngo, Willem G. (Hardus) Odendaal

R. Michael Buehrer, T. Charles Clancy, Carl Dietrich, Robert McGwier, Jung-Min (Jerry) Park, Jeffrey H. Reed, Joseph G. Tront

A. A. (Louis) Beex, JoAnn M. Paul, Christopher L. Wyatt

Peter M. Athanas, Mark T. Jones, Thomas L. Martin, Paul E. Plassmann

William T. Baumann, Yue (Joseph) Wang, Jason J. Xuan, Guoqiang Yu

Y. Thomas Hou, Allen B. MacKenzie, Scott F. Midkiff, Walid Saad, Yaling Yang

Dong S. Ha, Kwang-Jin Koh, Luke F. Lester, Sanjay Raman

Paul K. Ampadu, Thidapat (Tam) Chantem, Ryan M. Gerdes, Leyla Nazhandali, Cameron D. Patterson, Patrick R. Schaumont, Haibo Zeng

Masoud Agah, Louis J. Guido, Mantu K. Hudait, G. Q. Lu, Theresa S. Mayer, Marius K. Orlowski, Timothy D. Sands

Steven W. Ellingson, Majid Manteghi, Ahmad Safaai-Jazi, Sedki M. Riad

Xiaoting Jia, Ting-Chun Poon, Anbo Wang, Yong Xu, Yizheng Zhu, Wei Zhou, Yunhui Zhu

Scott M. Bailey, Joseph B. Baker, C. Robert Clauer, Gregory D. Earle, J. Michael Ruohoniemi, Wayne A. Scales, Daniel Weimer

How do we structure the SYSTEMS SOFTWARE INFRASTRUCTURE for maximum security, fault-tolerance, and programmability? How can we use RESISTIVE

SWITCHING DEVICES in CMOS to replace semi-conductor substrates for a new kind of 3-D integration?

How can we use INNOVATIVE MATERIALS AND PROCESSING TECHNIQUES to make energy processing systems more efficient?

How can we empower MICROPROCESSORS to detect and react to physical security threats?

SYSTEMS SOFTWARE & DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

EMBEDDED & SECURE SYSTEMS

AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS

MACHINE PERCEPTION

ENERGY SYSTEMS

POWER ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS

WIRELESS & SECURED SYSTEMS

COGNITIVE SCIENCE & SIGNAL PROCESSING

MICROSYSTEMS, OPTOELECTRONICS & DEVICES

PERVASIVE & CONFIGURABLE COMPUTING

SYSTEMS BIOLOGY & BIOINFORMATICS

NETWORKS & CYBERSECURITY

MULTIFUNCTIONAL INTEGRATED CIRCUITS & SYSTEMS

ANTENNAS & PROPAGATION

OPTICS & PHOTONICS

SPACE & ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE

How well can we communicate ON-CHIP when our signal is no stronger than the noise?

How can we make sure that COOPERATIVE AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS, like driverless vehicles, succeed in adversarial and complicated environments?

How can we use UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES to provide seamless communications from the sky?

How can we increase CONVERTER POWER DENSITY for ultrahigh efficiency power conversion?

How secure and resilient can we make WIRELESS SYSTEMS

for critical infrastructure like military communications and

industrial processes?

How well do SPECTRUM-SHARING COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS work? How can we make them better?

How can we improve POWER PROCESSING and distribution for systems of all sizes?

How can we increase the efficiency of our RADIO SPECTRUM use by 100 times to meet the growing demand for wireless connectivity?

How much can MACHINE LEARNING transform wireless communications?

Can we predict the EFFICACY OF CANCER TREATMENTS before experimenting on the patient?

How can we overcome ESTROGEN RESISTANCE for cancer treatments?

What innovative techniques will INCREASE THE PERFORMANCE of wireless networks?

How can we use ENGINEERING, OPERATIONAL, AND ORGANIZATIONAL SOLUTIONS for securing cyberspace?

How can we retrieve better 3-D OPTICAL

information?

How can we control OPTICAL WAVES in

multimodal fiber optics?How can OPTICAL IMAGING improve our understanding and treatment of diseases?

How can we use NANO-ENABLED DEVICES for energy applications?

How can we design CANCER THERAPIES that maximize the effectiveness of drugs and prevent the development of resistance?

How can we make sure that CRITICAL CYBERPHYSICAL SYSTEMS don’t fail or waste resources?

How can we increase WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS security, speed, and availability, while making it self-powered?

How does SOLAR ACTIVITY affect the near-Earth space environment and impact

us and modern technologies?

How will the coupling of DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERIC LAYERS evolve as the atmosphere changes?

How do the ATMOSPHERE AND IONOSPHERE vary through space and time?

How can we understand and predict the DYNAMICS OF THE SUN-EARTH SYSTEM, such as the aurora?

How can we make ELECTROMAGNETIC LAUNCHER TECHNOLOGY more efficient?

Can we develop COMPUTATIONAL TOOLS to understand, model, and recreate the visual world around us?

Can we develop a THEO-RETICAL FRAMEWORK for power system resiliance that accounts for new power and social infrastructures?

Can INTELLIGENT INFRASTRUCTURES reduce the carbon footprint of our communities?

Can we use FACIAL RECOGNITION to help children with autism spectrum disorder interact more easily with others?

How can we improve THE ACCURACY OF FORECASTING to make solar energy more effective?

How can we integrate ULTRA-LOW-POWER TRANSISTORS AND PHOTONICS onto silicon for high performance cloud computing and devices?

Can we map THE WORLD’S OCEANS at a faster pace than we previously thought was possible?

How can teams of AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS work together to process huge quantities of information?

How can we use ROBOTS to collect data from places humans can’t go?

ANSWERING THE BIG QUESTIONS

How can we use UNCONVENTIONAL COMPUTER PARALLELISM TACTICS

to make computers truly intelligent?

What explains the wide gap between BIOLOGICAL AND

ARTIFICIAL COGNITION?

Can we automatically detect if a child has ATTENTION

DEFICIT DISORDER?

How can we avoid HAVING TO REPLACE BATTERIES in devices like pacemakers? How can we avoid recharging cellphone batteries?

How quickly and efficiently can we TRANSMIT INFORMATION?

What are the limits of DESIGN AUTOMATION using artificial intelligence?

How can we integrate RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES into our power distribution systems and models?

How can we improve HIGH-PERFORMANCE and embedded computing, and signal processing?

How do we design COMPUTER SYSTEMS that integrate seamlessly into a person’s daily life?

How can we bridge the gap between NANOTECHNOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE?

Can we decrease U.S. ELECTRICAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION by 30% through the use of power electronics technology?

A. Lynn Abbottcomputer vision

Masoud AgahMEMS and microfluidics

Paul K. Ampadureliable and secure ultra-low voltage embedded VLSI/SoC/NoC

Peter M. Athanasconfigurable computing

Scott M. Baileyspace and atmospheric science, and remote sensing

Joseph B. BakerSuperDARN and space weather

William T. Baumannsystems biology

A. (Louis) Beexstochastic, digital, and adaptive signal processing

Dushan Boroyevichpower electronics

Robert P. Broadwaterelectrical power systems

R. Michael Buehrercognitive radio and geolocation

Rolando P. Burgospower electronics

Virgilio Centenopower systems monitoring, protection, and control

Thidapat (Tam) Chantemreal-time embedded systems; energy-aware and thermal-aware system-level design; and cyberphysical systems, especially intelligent transportation systems

T. Charles Clancywireless systems cognitionand security

C. Robert Clauerspace physics

Jaime De La Reepower systems and powerengineering

Harpreet S. Dhilloncommunication theory, stochastic geometry, cellular networks

Gregory D. Earlespace plasma and neutraldynamics, and satellite instrumentation

Steven W. EllingsonRF systems and instrumentation

Ryan Gerdescyberphysical system security, physical layer security, and embedded systems security

Louis J. Guidosemiconductors andmicroelectronics, and powerelectronics

Dong S. Haenergy harvesting, powermanagement, ICs, and RF ICs

Y. Thomas Houwireless networking

Michael S. Hsiaocomputer engineering, VLSI, test, verification, diagnosis

Jia-Bin HuangComputer vision, machine learning, and computational photography

Mantu Hudaitsemiconductor integration

Xiaoting Jia2-D nanomaterials and nanoelectronics

Mark T. Jonespervasive computing

Vassilis Kekatospower systems and smart grids

Kwang-Jin Kohmulti-functional integratedcircuits and systems

Jih-Sheng (Jason) Laipower electronics

Fred C. Leepower electronics

Luke F. Lesteroptoelectronics

Qiang Lipower electronics

Douglas K. Lindnercontemplative education

G. Q. Luelectronic packaging forpower electronics circuits

Allen B. MacKenziewireless networks

Majid Manteghielectromagnetics and antennas

Tom Martinpervasive computing

Theresa Mayermicrosystems, optoelectronics, and devices

Scott F. Midkiffnetworking; mobile, cloud and ubiquitous computing, and cybersecurity

Lamine M. Miliresilient and sustainablesmart grids

Leyla Nazhandalicomputer systems, architecture and design, and cybersecurity

Khai D. T. Ngopower electronics

Willem G. (Hardus) Odendaalenergy conversion systems

Marius K. Orlowskiresistive switching devices

Jung-Min (Jerry) Parkdynamic spectrum sharing,cognitive radio networks, wireless security, and applied cryptography

Cameron D. Pattersonautonomous, cyberphysical, embedded, and control system security

JoAnn M. Paulbrain-inspired computerarchitecture

Paul E. Plassmannhigh-performance and parallel computing

Ting-Chung (T.-C.) Poondigital holography and 3-D pattern recognition

Saifur Rahmansmart grid and renewable energy

Sanjay Ramanmultifunctional integrated circuits and systems

Binoy Ravindransystems software and operating, distributed, and real-time systems

Jeffrey H. Reedsoftware and cognitive radio, spectrum sharing, and wireless medical applications

Sedki M. Riadmicrowave and RF engineering

J. Michael Ruohoniemispace science and ionospheric physics

Walid Saadwireless networks, cyberphysical systems, and security

Ahmad Safaai-Jaziantennas and propagation, andguided-wave optics

Timothy D. Sandsnanomaterials and seimconductor devices

Wayne A. Scalesscience and engineeringof the near-earth spaceenvironment

Patrick Schaumontcryptographic engineering

Daniel J. Stilwellcontrol theory, autonomy, and marine vehicles

Kwa-Sur Tamenergy systems

Pratap Tokekarrobotics

Joseph G. Trontcybersecurity and biosensors

Anbo Wangoptical fiber sensors

Yue (Joseph) Wangmachine learning, bioinformatics, and computational biology

Ryan K. WilliamsLarge-scale multi-agent coordination

Christopher L. Wyattimage analysis and systemidentification in neuroscience

Yong Xuphotonics

Jason Xuanbioinformatics, biomedicalimaging, and systems biology

Yaling Yangcomputer networks andsecurity

Guoqiang Yumachine learning and biomedicaldata optimization

Haibo Zengembedded systems, cyberphysical systems, and real-time systems

Wei Zhounanofabrication, nanodevices, and nanosystems

Yizheng Zhuquantitative optical imaging for biomedicine and nanometrology

Yunhui ZhuOptics, information processing, and X-ray imaging

FACULTYtenured/tenure track

Mohammad Abdel-Rahmanwireless networks

Islam A.I.Y. Ashryphotonics

Antonio Barbalaceoperating systems for computer architectures

Charles W. Bostiancognitive and software designed radio

Justin N. Carstensspace science

Kshitija Deshpandespace physics

Carl B. Dietrichcommunications

Raymond A. GreenwaldHF coherent scatter radar and SuperDARN

Michael Hartinger space physics

Ahmed Hassansystems software

Vincent Legoutsystems software

Giuliano Losasystems software

Qingqing Mapower electronics

Vuk Marojeviccognitive communication

Robert W. McGwierwireless and satellite communication systems

Jung Muk Choepower electronics

Pierre Oliviersystems software

Roberto Palmierisystems software

Arun G. Phadkepower systems engineering, protection, and control

Marina Sadinisystems software

Jason Snydercommunications

Kevin SterneSuperDARN

James S. Thorplarge-scale power systems

Brentha Thurairajahatmospheric science andspace weather

Chao Wangmachine learning

Dong Wangphotonics

Yunjing Wangfiber optic sensors

Daniel R. Weimerspace science and spaceweather

Zhonghua Xuspace physics

Amir I. Zaghloulantennas, nano technology, wireless and satellite communications

Top cited papers by ece faculty

4 National Academy Members

NSF CAREER Grant awardees19

Large area, few-layer graphene films on arbitrary substrates by chemical vapor deposition A Reina, X Jia, J Ho, D Nezich, H Son, V Bulovic, MS Dresselhaus, ... 2008, cited 3758 times*

1

Decoupled double synchronous reference frame PLL for power converters control P Rodriguez, J Pou, J Bergas, JI Candela, RP Burgos, D Boroyevich 2007, cited 704 times*

6

Logic & Computer Design Fundamentals MM Mano, CR Kime, T Martin 2015, cited 1208 times*

2

Cognitive networks RW Thomas, DH Friend, LA DaSilva, AB MacKenzie 2007, cited 617 times*

7

An overview of anomaly detection techniques: Existing solutions and latest technological trends A Patcha, JM Park 2007, cited 851 times*

3

Spectrum sensing for cognitive radio S Haykin, DJ Thomson, JH Reed 2009, cited 561 times*

8

Responsive polymers in controlled drug delivery AK Bajpai, SK Shukla, S Bhanu, S Kankane 2008, cited 791 times*

4

Multi-agent systems in a distributed smart grid: Design and implementation M Pipattanasomporn, H Feroze, S Rahman 2009, cited 518 times*

9

Modeling and analysis of K-tier downlink heterogeneous cellular networks HS Dhillon, RK Ganti, F Baccelli, JG Andrews 2012, cited 706 times*

5

Controlled formation of sharp zigzag and armchair edges in graphitic nanoribbonsX Jia, M Hofmann, V Meunier, BG Sumpter, J Campos-Delgado, ... 2009, cited 513 times*

10*Google Scholar citation count as of 9/29/2016

instructorsArthur Ball

Kristie Cooper

David McPherson

Jason Thweatt

Gino Manzo

Dan Sable

Kenneth Schulz

Kendall Giles

professors of practice

research faculty

This report was produced with funds from the Harry Lynde Bradley Foundation.Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status; or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensa-tion of other employees, or applicants; or any other basis protected by law.

Honors and awards

27 IEEE Fellows

www.ece.vt.edu

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University302 Whittemore HallBlacksburg, VA 24061

THE BRADLEY DEPARTMENT OF

ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING