Heat management in semiconducting nanomaterials requires the design of engineered artificial structures, known as metamaterials, where thermal properties can be tuned almost at will by microstructural modifications. Testing a broad range of nanostructures for the particular device applications, with predictive behavior, is a grand challenge especially because of the difficulties associated with the experimental synthesis of the pristine samples, their char- acterization and property calculations.
Pressure ulcers are a major health concern around the world, affecting individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI) in particular. Pressure ulcers occur when the blood supply to the skin and underlying tissue is compromised, leading to cell death and potentially fatal infections. In this project, we are developing a soft, flexible and stretchable pressure sensing sheet for pressure ulcer prevention. The device is designed for wheelchair use, where it covers the entire seating area over the cushion.
Approximately 40% of COVID-19 survivors experience the Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (LONG-COVID-19) or Long COVID. It is currently not possible to predict who will become long-haulers and continue to experience symptoms that last for weeks or even months. The goal of this project is to better understand the molecular underpinnings of diverse patient outcomes in COVID-19 and develop molecular diagnostics that can identify specific patient groups for targeted management, improving patient care and allocation of scarce resources to those who need them most.
Although shipping remains the most energy-efficient way to transport freight globally, there are still concerns around the environmental impacts of the sector. As shipping industry leaders work to meet sustainability goals, there is a growing need for decision support tools that incorporate environmental considerations into business decision-making. This project will identify and assess different technology solutions that may be used to reduce the full environmental impacts of marine shipping.
Surfactants (including emulsifiers) are a group of molecules that are critical for the function of many industrial processes and commercial products. Conventional surfactants are produced from non-renewable sources (e.g., petroleum products), can persist in the environment for long periods of time, and can be toxic to various plants and animals. “Biosurfactants” are surfactants that are naturally produced by harmless bacteria and have the potential to provide the same functionality as conventional surfactants, while also being environmentally compatible.
The data and AI revolution that is sweeping many industries is also poised to revolutionize automation, control and safety in commercial and residential buildings. In order to activate the full power and promise of AI, we need large volumes of data that are accessible at high-speed over physically separated buildings/equipment. The fifth generation (5G) wireless communication networks provide large bandwidth for high throughput data, unparalleled reliability with low latency and high level of security and guaranteed bandwidth.
Quantum computers encode information with qubits. Unfortunately, qubits are subject to error. Those are physical qubits, and one will need many physical qubits to create an error-free qubit, also called a logical qubit. In this project, the university and industry researchers will work together to understand if the error rate of a logical quantum circuit will be arbitrarily suppressed by increasing the number of physical qubits. One of the key challenges is to simulate large enough systems necessitating scalable implementations of representation of quantum error-correcting codes and decoders.
The proposed research aims to develop novel wood foams to be used for thermal insulation in buildings and houses. The wood foam will be designed to replace plastic foams, which are linked to environmental and health concerns. The wood foams will be prepared from unwanted forest residues (beetle killed wood) and green additives to impart strength and flame retardancy. Wet foams will be prepared with several water-based compositions and then oven dried to make porous hard sponge-like materials.
The project aims to identify various usability factors and how they affect user’s perception of the trustworthiness of the blockchain-based record and their intentions to adopt this technology. The study also aims in increasing our current understanding of how usability affects users’ perception of the trustworthiness of blockchain technology for personal health data sharing. The resulting datasets and other reported design implications can be used in improving features in existing wallets leading to further blockchain-based health wallets in the healthcare industry.
