Research & Teaching
The application of electrical engineering fundamentals and system design to address challenges in medical and biological sciences has placed the field in the forefront of research and innovation to tackle important societal problems. The exciting intersection of biology, medicine and electrical engineering will have a profound and far-reaching impact on modern health care and the treatment and diagnosis of disease in the coming decades.
The Advanced Integrated Circuits & Systems Lab aims to bring the computational and performance power of micro/nanotechnology to the world of life science and health.
Mobile Health Monitoring
AHOMKA: A Culturally-adapted mHealth Platform for Management of Hypertension in an Urban and Rural Region of Ghana
In this multi-disciplinary project, we will develop the AHOMKA mobile platform, an evidence-based, multi-faceted mobile health intervention with the overall goal to reduce the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension in Ghana. Learn more about the AKOMKA platform.
Funding: National Institutes of Health (R21EB033166)
Point-of-Care Near-infrared Spectroscopy Devices for Absolute Tissue Oximetry
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) techniques are creating pathways towards new applications to study biological tissue, including functional brain imaging, cerebral oximetry, stroke assessment, and optical mammography. We are developing a miniaturized device that implements advanced frequency-domain NIRS techniques in a compact form factor by employing low-cost, solid-state optical devices and a system-on-chip (SoC) platform integrating complex signal processing circuitry, laser drivers, digitization, and wireless communication capability.
Funding: National Institutes of Health (R01EB029414), National Science Foundation (IIP-1919038)
AI-driven Wearable Devices for Personal Health Monitoring
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) records more than half a million people die of cardiovascular diseases each year in the USA. Our work focuses on the development of wearable devices for long-term ambulatory cardiac monitoring. System-on-chip solutions using advanced silicon processing to measure multiple vital signs (ECG, PPG, blood pressure, SpO2) and integrating machine learning algorithms for arrhythmia classification, noninvasive arterial pressure analysis, and cardiovascular disease risk stratification.
Funding: Data Intensive Studies Center, National Science Foundation (CCF-1934553)
Ultrasensitive Frequency Domain Spectrometer for High Throughput Bacteria Detection
In the aftermath of major catastrophic hurricanes like Harvey and Irma with winds that pull trees from their roots and roofs from houses, danger quietly continues at the microscopic level in the remaining floodwaters. The objective of this proposal is to develop a highly sensitive frequency domain spectrometer instrument for high-throughput tracking of bacteria to quantify and identify bacteria in floodwater in real time, which significantly reduces labor, time, and cost. The proposed work focuses on the spectral and temporal characteristics of intrinsic fluorescence and the material, device, and circuit innovations needed to detect them.
Funding: National Science Foundation (DBI-1760500), Catalyst Foundation
Millimeter-wave Micro and Nano-Ferrite Circulators Integrated in CMOS
There has been an increasing interest in the development of high-frequency millimeter-wave circuits using advanced commercial silicon microfabrication processes for realization of high-performance components for critical applications ranging from phased-array radar to 60GHz wireless transceivers. The objective of this research program is to develop the next generation broadband millimeter-wave integrated circuits (MMIC) in CMOS using nano and micro hexaferrite materials operating in the 30GHz to 100GHz range. Our research focuses on: (1) development of novel fabrication techniques for nanoferrite thin film deposition and patterning on silicon substrates; (2) nanoferrite material characterization study of dielectric and magnetic properties using a free space quasi-optical spectrometer; and (3) design and implementation of 60GHz MMIC front-end, incorporating LNA, PA, and circulator in a commercial CMOS process integrated with nanoferrite materials.
Funding: National Science Foundation (ECCS-1309894, EECS-1808147),