Integrating Wind into the Grid

ECE professors, Mack Grady and Surya Santoso, are collecting the data needed to truly integrate wind power into the existing power grid—and creating the first university-lead phasor measurement network in the country.

University of Texas professors, Mack Grady and Surya Santoso, are another step closer to truly integrating wind power into the existing power grid. They are heading a consortium of private and public entities to create the first university-lead phasor measurement network in the country.

Waveform Reveals Damage

Dr. Robert Flake has discovered the first non-sinusoid signal that doesn’t undergo dispersion on transmission lines that would normally distort a signal. The waveform, “Speedy Delivery” (SD), helps to pinpoint the exact location of a crack in a foundation when sent through a metal cable encased in the foundation.

Smart Surveillance

Professor Jake Aggarwal's research is in computer vision, specifically in smart surveillance systems that identify suspicious activity and alert humans to follow-up. His approach has evolved from the basic problems of determining movement of a 3-dimensional object from 2-dimensional images to a sophisticated system that can recognize aggressive activity even with multiple players and a cluttered background.

Integrating Wind Power into the Grid

ECE professors, Mack Grady and Surya Santoso, are collecting the data needed to truly integrate wind power into the existing power grid—and creating the first university-lead phasor measurement network in the country. A collaboration between UT, the State of Texas, Austin Energy, and Schweitzer Engineering Inc. will make it possible for power operators in the future to maximize the use of this inexpensive, renewable, and non-polluting energy source.

Neikirk - Wireless Sensors to Monitor Bridge Safety

ECE professor Dean Neikirk just received funding for a 5-year program to use wireless sensors to identify failing bridges, lower the cost of monitoring those bridges, and improve the safety of new bridges. The $6.8M project addresses a chronic problem for the aging American highway infrastructure.

Touba Named IEEE Fellow

Professor Nur Touba was named an IEEE Fellow—the highest grade of IEEE membership—for contributions to test data compression and built-in self-test for integrated circuits. Dr. Touba has developed a number of innovative techniques for automated design of testable and fault-tolerant circuits.

Lizy John Elevated to IEEE Fellow

The department's first female IEEE Fellow, Professor Lizy John, was elevated for contributions to power modeling and performance evaluation of microprocessors. Dr. John has concentrated on allowing microprocessor designers to find problems early in the design process. Since pre-silicon microprocessors cannot be tested with full applications, Dr. John’s team developed a cloning technique to create miniature versions enabling an accurate estimation of performance and power. Dr.

Julien, Vikalo, Kwasinski Win CAREER Awards

The Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (UT-ECE) is delighted to announce that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has given three of our new professors a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) grant.

This highly competitive award is given to young faculty perceived as future leaders in integrating education and research.

Evans Becomes IEEE Fellow

Professor Brian L. Evans was elevated to IEEE Fellow, the highest grade of IEEE membership, for contributions to multicarrier communications and image display.

In multicarrier communications, Prof. Evans was recognized for his algorithms to maximize user bit rates in WiMax, cellular and DSL systems. In image display, he was recognized for his algorithms to improve image quality in printers. For both contributions, the algorithms were developed to be amenable for cost-effective implementation in products. Prof. Evans joined the UT Austin faculty in fall 1996.

Edison Lecture Series 2009

Last week, the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, IBM, the Central Texas chapter of IEEE, and Whole Foods, sponsored the 5th annual Edison Lecture Series.