University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Welcome to the February 2017 issue of the ECE Newsletter from the University of Houston. This year is off to a flying start as our faculty and students continue to make breakthroughs that are changing our world. Zhu Han has published the first comprehensive book on signal processing for big data applications. Pepe Contreras-Vidal is continuing to make trailblazing discoveries on creativity in the brain and Wei-Chuan Shih has discovered a technique for testing water pathogens on a smartphone. The Cullen College of Engineering and the UH Honors College created the Professor Stuart Long Undergraduate Research Fund in honor of the long-time ECE professor. The fund will support undergraduate research programs.

Read more below to find how ECE is in the news, how our students are succeeding, and how we are engaged with the Houston community!

Roysam
Badri Roysam, ECE Department Chair

Customizing the Cell Phone Experience

Xin Fu creates computer systems that automatically customize cell phone configuration through the user's personality, environment and circumstances, making the user's experience one of a kind.

Rotating Graphene Flakes Offer Potential

Jiming Bao uses magnetic fields to rotate graphene flakes in 3D, increasing their thermal, optical, electrical and electromagnetic shielding properties. This research is revolutionizing conductors and may ultimately replace copper wiring in most electronic devices.

Glucose-Sensing Contact Lens With Raman Scattering

Wei-Chuan Shih refines glucose measuring techniques with glucose-sensing contact lens. Using surface-enhanced Raman scattering, the lens can noninvasively detect glucose levels in tears.

Targeted Treatment With Magnetic Nanoparticles

Aaron Becker is developing a targeted medical treatment with tiny magnetic particles, controlled by magnetic fields, to deliver treatment to precise locations inside the body, potentially reducing the risk of harmful medical treatments.

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