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100+ Electrical Engineering Research Topics Examples

Electrical engineering comprises the comprehension of electricity and how it works. The main task of electrical engineers is to improve the distribution of energy to different electrical devices. Electrical engineers utilize their skills and knowledge to solve different technical issues. Electrical engineers’ tasks are working with the airline navigation system, GPS, systems for power generation, and transmissions like the wind farmhouses and similar projects. Working on different energies also comes in the domain of electrical engineers such as hydro-energy, turbine, fuel cell, gas, geothermal energy, solar energy, and wind energy. Electrical engineers use various passive components such as inductors, capacitors, and resistors, and so on while working on electrical devices and systems.

Students need to get different ideas for the research in electrical engineering on the latest ideas during the academic career of engineering. If you have been looking for an article that includes interesting  research paper topics for electrical engineering  students at a single site, you have come to the right place.

Top Research Topics for Electrical Engineering Students

For your convenience, we have compiled here a list of the top 100 electrical engineering project ideas in 2021.

• Distance Locator for an underground cable fault
• An analysis of battery energy storage (BES) systems financial incentive policies
• Photovoltaic conversion efficiency improvement using the sparse matrix converter
• Multiphase power and DC power transmission
• SVPWM inverter harmonic elimination
• Electric cars Regenerative braking efficiency improvement
• UPS systems issues in power quality
• Techno-environmental feasibility assessment of a standalone photovoltaic system
• Electric Scooter Simulation model
• Load-leveling economical analysis using EV
• Energy minimization algorithm for an electric car with many motors
• Minimization of Switching loss in the grid-connected system
• Economic analysis and a battery’s life analysis with the supercapacitor
• Protection System for an induction motor
• A high-efficiency PLC boiler control system
• SMART cities and IoT
• Electric scooter Performance analysis using different motors
• Semantics, knowledge management, and data acquisition using IoT
• Technologies of Network virtualization
• IoT home networks
• Electrical Appliance Control with Android
• The cost-benefit analysis of energy projects on grid-scale: A case study
• Detection of the arcing fault in the electrical systems
• Induction motor map development for efficiency
• A sensitivity analysis for the parameters vehicle design
• Research on electrical loads in the public and residential buildings
• Comparative Analysis and Calculation Methods of the Losses in the electrical energy in low-voltage devices
• Hybrid charging stations powered with solar energy
• IoT smart energy meter
• Wind-power generation using a synchronous generator with permanent magnet
• Off-grid rural areas applications using a switched reluctance machine
• Analysis and design of a magnetless multiphase dc-field machine to generate wind power
• Smart home electric energy management
• A techno-economic viability assessment of a decoupled energy storage
• A techno-economic optimization and modeling of storage-based PV power generation systems
• A technical model for the lithium-ion storage for biogas and PV energy system
• An analysis of transparent power grids
• Battery life and efficiency of regenerative braking
• Economic and life analysis of a battery with the supercapacitor
• EV home charging using the load-leveling algorithm
• In-Vivo Imaging of the cancer cells using the Fluorescent Microscopy
• Use of Dynamic Instrumentation for analyzing WhatsApp security
• Smart grid architecture design
• Use of PID controller for IM torque control
• Design of a hybrid power system
• Use of FIXCOM for designing a 3-level inverter
• Harvesting solar energy from a solar-powered satellite
• Use of microcontroller for battery discharging and charging of hybrid energy system
• Analysis and modeling of electrical gripper’s DC motor actuator
• Use of a brushless DC motor for Zeta converter’s power quality improvement
• Use of a three-phase Inverter based on Thyristor for simulation and control of a DC motor
• Use of PI Controller for designing a PLC speed control DC motor
• Use of PID controller for speed control of a DC motor: a comparative study
• Front-End ASICs power management circuits
• Off-Grid renewable energy’s remote monitoring system
• Non- Renewable and Renewable Energy Resources comparative analysis
• Development of Green Building for harvesting renewable energy
• Low carbon achievement: a case study
• Use of PSO for load dispatch in case of renewable uncertainties
• The hot climate and Vertical axis wind turbine relationship and consequence
• Use of fuzzy control for efficient electrical energy management
• Degradation in the performance of PV panel performance and shading effect: a case study
• Solar angles simulation to maximize solar thermal collectors efficiency
• Use of Node MCU for active solar tracking
• Different techniques for DC networks with low voltage
• Waste Management Approach based on information
• Grid-Connected Solar PV System with decoupled control
• Electric vehicle life analysis
• Use of ADVISOR for minimizing EV energy consumption
• Field data examination of energy consumption for an electric scooter
• Use of an electric car for peak load shaving
• Effect of the temperature on PV energy conversion
• Digital Signal process control system for motors
• Use of EMTDC/ PSCAD for evaluation of harmonic analysis and filter design
• Load flow analysis of integrated DC/ AC power system using newton-raphson method
• Auto-Irrigation System development using solar power
• DC motor speed control unit design
• Protection System design for under-voltage
• Protection System design for over-voltage
• Silicon robot based on solar power
• 3-phase grid-connected PV systems simulation and design
• Analysis of brushless servo motors
• Grid-connected PV systems multilevel inverter simulation
• MIMO transformer models
• Fault detection in 3 phase transmission lines
• An optimization technique for flexible load scheduling
• Design of remote terminal unit for secure control of power
• Use of the artificial neural network for 3-phase fault detection
• Design of electrical substation earthing system
• Microgrid integration in the power transmission lines
• Induction motor temperature and material selection
• Open-loop simulation for an optimal vehicle simulation and design
• Use of STATCOM for improving the transient stability of a power grid
• Peak load management using Vehicle to Grid system
• Image sensing for a closed-loop traffic control system
• Arduino based smart home automation system
• 3 phase induction motor controlled by SVPWM in an electric vehicle
• Increasing the efficiency of a superconducting transformer
• An analysis of (SCADA) System in Power Stations

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

Research topics for electrical engineering can be exciting yet challenging to find at the same time as they require a lot of time for thorough research and writing. Moreover, the topic and the desired approach can a lot of time to be finalized. Keeping this hassle in view, we have compiled a list of the top 100  electrical engineering research paper topics  in a single article to save your time. We will also keep updating the list to include some more latest and fresh research topics related to electrical engineering.

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PH.D RESEARCH PROPOSAL TITLE ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS: ANALYSIS, DESIGN AND CONTROL WITH EMPHASIS ON LOAD FLOW STABILITY, FAULT- LEVEL AND RELIABILITY STUDIES. JULY, 2018. ABSTRACT

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Electrical and electronic engineering articles from across Nature Portfolio

Electrical and electronic engineering is the branch of engineering that makes use of electricity. Electrical engineering concentrates on systems for generating and transmitting large electrical currents and converting them into other forms of energy, such as mechanical motion. Electronic engineering focusses on lower energy currents for processing and communicating information.

Hardware accelerators based on nanotube transistors

High-purity carbon nanotubes can be used to create a tensor processing unit that has 3,000 transistors and a systolic array architecture.

• Kaixiang Kang
• Jianwen Zhao

Free-standing printed electronics with direct ink writing

A direct ink-writing technique that relies on tension in the nozzle can be used to print free-standing metal structures with aspect ratios of up to 750:1.

Sensitive spin-rectifier-based rectenna and on-chip array for wireless energy harvesting

Designing a rectifier for harvesting low ambient radiofrequency energy and converting it into useful d.c. power is challenging. Now, a spin-rectifier-based rectenna and a spin-rectifier array with on-chip coplanar waveguides are designed for harvesting ambient radiofrequency signals with good sensitivity and efficiency.

Latest Research and Reviews

Metaheuristics based dimensionality reduction with deep learning driven false data injection attack detection for enhanced network security

• Thavavel Vaiyapuri
• Huda Aldosari

Filter cable design with defected conductor transmission structures

Yunan Han et al. present a filter cable design which can apply filtering throughout the cable’s length. The defected conductor transmission structures serve as a boundary condition for transmitted waves to achieve similar performance to a lumped filter circuit.

• Cuilian Jiang
• Zhaohan Liu

Chaotic self-adaptive sine cosine multi-objective optimization algorithm to solve microgrid optimal energy scheduling problems

• Arul Rajagopalan
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Hardware-accelerated integrated optoelectronic platform towards real-time high-resolution hyperspectral video understanding

The field AI for processing language and images is quite developed, but analysing video content remains a significant challenge. This work introduces a hardware-accelerated integrated optoelectronic platform for real-time multidimensional video analysis, achieving data processing speeds of 1.2 Tb/s.

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Automatic heliostat learning for in situ concentrating solar power plant metrology with differentiable ray tracing

Solar tower power plants’ efficiency is hindered due to component defects such as heliostat misalignment and surface deformations. Authors propose machine learning with differentiable ray tracing to identify these errors from calibration images and predict irradiance profiles, enhancing operational efficiency.

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A hot-emitter transistor based on stimulated emission of heated carriers

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The complexity of the infrastructure underpinning the modern Internet has led to a lack of clarity on how to measure the energy consumption of web services and achieve sustainable web design. It is now crucial to redirect sustainability efforts in the sector towards more effective interventions.

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An article in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications presents a vehicle-based vision–radar system designed for precise, real-time positioning of UAV clusters.

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PhD Thesis Proposal

Each student who successfully completes the PhD qualifying examination is required to write a PhD thesis proposal, and present and defend the proposal orally before a committee.

As indicated on the Schedule for Timely PhD Completion , ECE doctoral students are expected to achieve candidacy before the end of their fifteenth month of studies.

• May starters must complete the PhD thesis proposal by July of the following year.
• September starters must complete the PhD thesis proposal by November of the following year.
• January starts must complete the PhD thesis proposal by March of the following year.

Format and Content of the Proposal

Please review the following guidelines and suggestions for the format and content of the PhD thesis proposal. The PhD thesis proposal should contain two fundamental components:

• review of the “state of the art” in a reasonably focused contemporary area of electrical and computer engineering research;
• outline of known problems to be solved or original developments that might be anticipated, accompanied by a line of approach to these problems or developments.

The “state of the art” review must refer explicitly to the relevant literature, with all references listed at the end of the proposal. The list of references need not be long, but it should be carefully considered. The list and review should show clear evidence that the student has sufficient knowledge to continue immediately into doctoral level research that will potentially lead to new results, without needing to do further background preparation in the area.

The outline of problems or developments must show that the student can formulate a line of research, including initial methodologies to be used, which should lead to significant contributions and new knowledge.

It is neither necessary nor expected that the PhD thesis proposal contain new research results, though such would be welcome. It is only necessary to be convincing that the chosen proposed area and topic of research has a very good chance of leading to new results.

PhD Thesis Proposal Committee

The supervisor will select professors to serve on the PhD thesis proposal committee according to the following regulations:

• The committee must consist of at least three professors, including the supervisor.
• Ideally, all committee members will hold a graduate faculty membership in ECE.
• One of the committee members may hold a graduate faculty membership in a unit other than ECE, where appropriate for the thesis topic.

PhD Thesis Proposal Presentation

• The supervisor will schedule the presentation. All members of the PhD thesis proposal committee must attend the presentation.
• The written proposal must be submitted to the committee at least two weeks prior to the presentation.
• The student will make a presentation at the meeting and orally defend the PhD thesis proposal.
• If the committee does not consider the proposal to be satisfactory, the student must present and defend a new PhD thesis proposal within four months. If the new proposal is also unsatisfactory, the student’s registration in the PhD program will be terminated.
• The supervisor must submit the PhD Thesis Proposal Report to the ECE Graduate Office within one week of the presentation.
• Upon the successful completion of the PhD thesis proposal, the student will have achieved “PhD candidacy.” The date of PhD candidacy will be recorded on the student’s U of T transcript.

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Proposal #1
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Before an article, report, or brief is accepted into the the author must first submit a proposal that specifies the importance of the research, the scope and limitations of the research, and the methods for the research. Submitters should read the journal's before submitting.

Roger Bloom
October 1997

Schedule for completion of the literature review. The formal presentation will be on October 27, and the formal report will be completed by December 5. Clark, Raymond L., "Background on 40 CFR Part 197 Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Yucca Mountain," (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1997). vol.274, (November1996), pp. 913-914. (Battelle Press, 1989). vol. 270, (December 1995), pp. 1761-1762. vol.268, (June 1995), pp. 1836-1839.

[Bolt, 1988], [Bolt, 1993], and [Hodgson, 1964]. [Mileti and Fitzpatrick, 1993] and [Bolt, 1993]. [Deshpande, 1987] and [Meyer, 1977], will put into perspective how accurate, or inaccurate, the named methods are and what hurdles face engineers who try to predict earthquakes. Schedule for completion of literature review. The two triangles represent milestones for the project, the first being the formal presentation on November 11, 1996, and the second being the formal report on December 6, 1996. . (New York: W. H. Freeman and Company, 1988). (New York: Scientific American Library, 1993). (Pune, India: The Maharashtra Association for the Cultivation of Science, 1987). (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1964). (Nashville: Sherbourne Press, 1977). (Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 1993).

Electrical Projects Guide

• Basic Electrical
• Synchronous Machines
• Power Electronics
• Power Systems
• Electric Vehicle
• Control Systems

Top 30 Electrical Research Paper Topics for MTech, Ph.D., and Final Year Engineering Students

Electrical research paper topics in the field of electric vehicles, renewable energy sources, machines, and power electronics are listed here. It’s a list of topics and each topic may be extended to many projects.

And each project can break down into many small mini-projects and major projects for electrical engineering. Research paper topics in electrical engineering would be helpful for MTech, Ph.D., and Engineering students.

ELECTRICAL RESEARCH PAPER TOPICS FOR ENGINEERING STUDENTS

Here is the list of topics that you can use for electrical engineering research

• Solar–thermal integrated system for power generation
• Effect of temperature on photovoltaic energy conversion
• Solar charging stations and impact on power system
• Maximum power point tracking for electric car solar charging stations
• Sparse matrix rectifier for efficiency improvement of photovoltaic conversion
• Development of a novel Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithm for solar systems
• Rooftop solar power generation for educational institutions
• DC-DC converter for DC power grid
• DC power transmission and multiphase power transmission
• Power quality analysis of micro grid-connected power grid
• Micro grid integration and stain in power transmission lines
• Harmonic elimination in SVPWM inverter
• Power quality issues in UPS systems
• Wind power station and grid harmonics elimination
• Reluctance motor speed control
• Temperature estimation of induction motor and material selection for the motor
• Comparison of inverter circuit switching losses for PMSM and Induction motor drives
• Regenerative braking efficiency in electric cars
• Impact of regenerative braking on electric vehicle battery
• Life analysis of electric vehicle battery
• Regenerative braking using supercapacitor battery combination
• Transformer load management in vehicle-to-grid connection
• Peak load shaving using Vehicle to Grid connection
• Switching loss minimization in the converter of Grid-connected electric cars
• Fault detection and clearing (Power System Stabilization) using Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU)
• Substation Automation using WiFI
• Power quality improvements when EV charging in a microgrid
• Smart charging for electric vehicles
• Microgrid to grid integration techniques for power system stability
• Renewable source integration with power factor correction

A list of electrical research paper topics is presented in this post. The list opens doors to a number of other research topics in electrical engineering. Thinking about each topic in detail would help you out to find more topics in electrical engineering.

The post focus on power system, electrical vehicle, renewable energy, and motor related topics. Follow us to get more electrical engineering related project ideas.

• [READ]: Electrical Projects for Engineering Students: Novel EEE projects for final-year students
• [READ]: 40+ Electrical Mini Projects: A list of innovative electrical mini projects that you can do easily
• [READ]: List of 50 electric vehicle projects for Engineering Students

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55 Engineering Research Paper Topics Worth Your Attention

Stuck with engineering research topics for your proposal? Have a look at ours and get inspired effectively!

Let’s Pick up the Most Exciting Engineering Research Topics

The main feature of engineering topics for research paper and related projects is that they mostly offer practical solutions to a specific problem. Purely theoretical engineering research is less common and is usually done only to challenge existing knowledge, theories & concepts. Which topic to choose is up to you. However, our seasoned experts would like to share some insights on how to write an engineering proposal to help you create papers that will not only earn excellent reviews from your academic advisors but also inspire you to make breakthroughs in your field.

Some Expert Insights on How to Write an Engineering Proposal

The proposal is a paper representing your project from a research angle. It should include as much information about your investigations as possible, including study plans, methods, expected outcomes, etc. Regarding revealing engineering topics, experts from our proposal writing services often recommend focusing on their impact on the current field knowledgebase and practicality if it comes to engineering application solutions development.

Important note! Adding graphics, schemes, images, and any other visuals will be especially beneficial in your engineering research project papers. It helps you reveal more topic details and add value to your PhD research proposal engineering.

How to Reveal Engineering Research Paper Topics With a Paper Structure

Remember also to stick a paper to a given structure:

• Introduction. Review the engineering topic you choose and reveal its importance. Here, you can also give a short overview of what is included in the proposal.
• Qualifications. This section is set to show you have the required skills and capabilities to conduct your research successfully. For example, if it’s a research proposal in mechanical engineering, you may mention some physical aspects of objects you will investigate.
• The background is where you discuss the topic and the problem motivating you to take it. Show how you understand the issue, its impact & causes. If it’s a research proposal for mathematics or another theoretical one, your investigation will probably be based on a theory or concept.
• The schedule section informs paper readers about the time frame you set to complete the work so they understand when to expect the result and what milestones you should go through in revealing your engineering research paper topics.
• The proposal statement is the section where you tell what exactly you are proposing regarding the topic and what you aren’t, giving readers additional information about your work. This is especially valuable if you plan to join engineering research in Princeton University or other prestigious institutions.
• Costs. This paper section shows how many resources your project requires (especially vital if it needs additional funding). The best way to do it is to divide expenses into categories and calculate the totals for each category. E.g., hardware & software, auxiliary tools, etc., if it comes to working on PhD topics in computer science or other application solutions.
• Research methodology. In PhD research proposal mechanical engineering, you present how exactly you will complete the work, discussing steps you take during the working process.
• The results section is aimed at showcasing the proposal’s outcomes. For example, if you work with research proposal topics in mechanical engineering, you can present a concept of an electronic device or offer a problem solution.

Research Proposal Topics in Electronics Engineering

It’s time to get more specific and actual topic samples. First, we will go with research proposal topics in electronics engineering.

• Understanding Effective Power Electronics Using Circuit Simulation
• Redesign of AC Electrical Motors
• Electric Vehicle Motors and Gearbox
• Benefits of Optimization in Electrical Engineering
• Electric Vehicles – A Solution to Global Pollution
• Effects of Standard Deviation on Time and Frequency Response of Gaussian Filter
• Impact of Surface on Nano-Beam Mechanical Behaviors
• Maximum Power Point Tracking Based on Differential Conductance
• Analyzing Mechanical Property of Electrically Assisted Friction Stir Welding
• High Throughput Droplet Actuation Platform
• Numerical Analysis of Mechanical Characteristics of Joint Structure of Steel Pipe Sheet Pile Foundation
• Implementation of an Improved Automatic DC Motor Speed Control Systems Using Microcontrollers
• Automated Hybrid Smart Door Control System
• Comprehensive Review of Smart Grid Ecosystem
• Solar Simulators’ Trends Overview
• Intelligent Voice Controlled Wheel Chair: Design and Implementation
• Comparative of Field Effect Transistor (FET) and Bipolar Power Transistor Performance in Amplifiers
• Development of a Low-Cost Automatic Internet of Things Extension System
• Mechanical Analysis of Thin-Walled Cylindrical Shells With Cracks

17 Great Research Proposal Topics for Civil Engineering

The civil engineering field focuses on improving infrastructure and environmental sustainability. By discovering new research ideas and presenting unique research proposal topics for civil engineering, civil engineers are able to resolve problems people couldn’t deal with before.

• Studying the Effects of Urbanization on Biodiversity
• Analyzing the Effects of Water Scarcity on Infrastructure and the Environment
• Evaluating the Feasibility of Using Drones in Construction
• Assessing the Feasibility of Using Prefabrication in Construction
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Public Transportation Systems in Reducing Carbon Emissions
• The Impacts of Infrastructure on Local Economies
• Investigating the Use of Big Data in Civil Engineering
• Impact of Ripe and Unripe Plantain Peel Ash on Strength Properties of Concrete
• The Effects of Water Scarcity on Infrastructure and the Environment
• The Effects of Natural Disasters on Transportation Infrastructure
• Evaluating the Feasibility of Using Robots in Construction
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure
• Investigating the Use of Blockchain Technology in Civil Engineering
• Structural Characteristics of Soilcrete Blocks
• The Use of Augmented Reality (AR) In Civil Engineering
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDs)
• Analyzing the Effects of Climate Change on Infrastructure Materials

Some Good Research Proposal Topics in Mechanical Engineering

With a solid number of topics for engineering research papers in mechanics, choosing the central theme for your research will be easier. Even if you already know what area to investigate, having several research paper topics for engineering allows you to decide from which angle you will approach the issue.

• Energy and Exergy Analysis of Boiler Systems
• Effect of Delay Period on Performance of Compression Engine Running on Jatropha Fuel
• Optimum Buckling Response Model of Grp Composites
• Experimental Performance Evaluation of Charcoal-Stove
• The Detail Fabrication of a Candle Moulding Machine
• Fabrication of Metal Panel Door
• Electricity Generation Using Propeller Shaft
• The Cavitation Effect in Centrifugal Pumps
• Development of a Gas Propelled Rocket Engine
• Research on Methods for Recycling Spent Fuel for Internal Combustion Engines
• Study of Changes in the Characteristics of the Al-6’1/OCU Alloy after Annealing Process
• The Development of a Pumping Machine for Water Distribution in a High-Rise Building
• 3D Printing in the Construction of Water Supply Systems
• Repair and Rehabilitation of Faulty Air Condition
• Design and Analysis of a Microsatellite Structure in Lowearth Orbit
• A Study of Cavitation in Pumps and Flow Systems
• Design and Construction of a Digital Clock
• Effect of Injector Nozzle Holes on Diesel Engine
• Effect of Vortex in Kaplan Turbine-Using Cfd a Case Study: Rosseries Power Plant

Download Here More Engineering Research Proposal Ideas!

Get help working on engineering topics for research paper.

Working on some engineering research topics may be challenging for students needing a lot of time and effort to present qualitative proposals when they often have many other responsibilities. And this is where hiring qualified proposal writers may save them much effort. Delegating the work on your research topics to an expert makes your student’s life much easier, allowing quality outcomes with minimal time.

Specialists also know what topic information should be added to your paper and how it should be formatted. Just specify your needs and requirements and mention the main purpose for writing engineering proposal. Everything will be done well at the appointed time, so there will be no need to worry about anything. Check the list of our proposal topics and ensure you choose the most interesting one.

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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Engineering > Electrical Engineering > Theses and Dissertations

Electrical Engineering Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Effects of Unobservable Bus States on Detection and Localization of False Data Injection Attacks in Smart Grids , Moheb Abdelmalak

Modeling the Human Learning Process Using an Industrial Steam Boiler Analogy to Design a Psychophysiological-Based Hypermedia Adaptive Automation System , Liliana María Villavicencio López

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

On the Performance Enhancement of Beamspace MIMO and Non-orthogonal Multiple Access for Future Cellular Networks , Sinasi Cetinkaya

Enhancing Smart Grid Security and Reliability through Graph Signal Processing and Energy Data Analytics , Md Abul Hasnat

Fabric-Based Organic Electrochemical Transistor Towards Wearable pH Sensing Electronics , Nestor Osvaldo Marquez Rios

Novel Systems Engineering Framework Analysis of Photovoltaic Models and Equations , Peter R. Michael

Deep Learning Enhancement and Privacy-Preserving Deep Learning: A Data-Centric Approach , Hung S. Nguyen

Cyber-Physical Multi-Robot Systems in a Smart Factory: A Networked AI Agents Approach , Zixiang Nie

Multiple Access Techniques Enabling Diverse Wireless Services , Mehmet Mert Şahin

Deep Reinforcement Learning Based Optimization Techniques for Energy and Socioeconomic Systems , Salman Sadiq Shuvo

Process Automation and Robotics Engineering for Industrial Processing Systems , Drake Stimpson

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Stability and Interaction Analysis of Inverter-Based Resources in Power Grids , Li Bao

Healthcare IoT System and Network Design , Halil Ibrahim Deniz

Video Anomaly Detection: Practical Challenges for Learning Algorithms , Keval Doshi

Data-Driven State Estimation for Improved Wide Area Situational Awareness in Smart Grids , Md Jakir Hossain

Deep Learning and Feature Engineering for Human Activity Recognition: Exploiting Novel Rich Learning Representations and Sub-transfer Learning to Boost Practical Performance , Ria Kanjilal

Assistive Technologies for Independent Navigation for People with Blindness , Howard Kaplan

Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Diseases Using Higher Order Statistical Analysis of Electroencephalography Signals , Seyed Alireza Khoshnevis

Accelerating Multiparametric MRI for Adaptive Radiotherapy , Shraddha Pandey

A Model-Based Fault Diagnosis in Dynamic Systems via Asynchronous Motors System Identification or Testing, and Control Engineering Observers , Kenelt Pierre

Improving Wireless Networking from the Learning and Security Perspectives , Zhe Qu

Improving Robustness of Deep Learning Models and Privacy-Preserving Image Denoising , Hadi Zanddizari

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

A Method for Compact Representation of Heterogenous and Multivariate Time Series for Robust Classification and Visualization , Alla Abdella

Dynamical System and Parameter Identification for Power Systems , Abdullah Abdulrahman Alassaf

Phasor Domain Modeling of Type-III Wind Turbines , Mohammed Alqahtani

An Automated Framework for Connected Speech Evaluation of Neurodegenerative Disease: A Case Study in Parkinson's Disease , Sai Bharadwaj Appakaya

Investigation of CoO ATO for Solar Cells and Infrared Sheaths , Manopriya Devisetty Subramanyam

Thermal Management of Lithium-ion Batteries Using Supercapacitors , Sanskruta Dhotre

Effect of Se Composition in CdSe 1-X T eX /CdTe Solar Cells , Sheikh Tawsif Elahi

Microencapsulation of Thermochromic Materials for Thermal Storage and Energy Efficiency of Buildings , Abdullatif Hakami

Piezoelectrically-Transduced ZnO-on-Diamond Resonators with Enhanced Signal-to-Noise Ratio and Power-handling Capability for Sensing and Wireless Communication Applications , Xu Han

Preparation and Characterization of Single Layer Conducting Polymer Electrochromic and Touchchromic Devices , Sharan Kumar Indrakar

Security Attacks and Defenses in Cyber Systems: From an AI Perspective , Zhengping Luo

Power System Optimization Methods: Convex Relaxation and Benders Decomposition , Minyue Ma

Metal Oxide Sensor Array Test Bed Prototype for Diagnostic Breath Analysis , Tiffany C. Miller

Packaging of Active RF Beamforming IC Utilizing Additive Manufacturing , Ryan Murphy

Adaptive Network Slicing in Fog RAN for IoT with Heterogeneous Latency and Computing Requirements: A Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach , Almuthanna Nassar

Development of a Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation Device for Renal Denervation , Noel Perez

Copper Electrodeposition Assisted by Hydrogen Evolution for Wearable Electronics: Interconnections and Fiber Metallization , Sabrina M. Rosa Ortiz

Theory and Application of Dielectric Rod Antennas and Arrays , Gabriel Saffold

Advanced Organic Polymers for the Nanoscale Fabrication of Fiber-based Electronics Using the Electrospinning Technique , William Serrano Garcia

Transparent Planar Micro-Electrode Array for In-Vitro Electric Field Mediated Gene Delivery , Raj Himatlal Shah

High Speed Switching for Plasma Based Electroporation , Shivangi Sharma

Development of Small-Scale Power Supplies for Wearable Medical Diagnostic Devices , Donny Stiner

Novel Approach to Integrate CAN Based Vehicle Sensors with GPS Using Adaptive Filters to Improve Localization Precision in Connected Vehicles from a Systems Engineering Perspective , Abhijit Vasili

Modeling, Control and Analysis of Inverter-Based Generators in the Power Grids , Yangkun Xu

Fiber-Based Supercapacitor for Wearable Electronics , Rohit Lallansingh Yadav

Modeling, Identification, and Stability Analysis of Inverter-Based Resources Integrated Systems , Miao Zhang

Data-Oriented Approaches towards Mobile, Network and Secure Systems , Shangqing Zhao

Strategies in Botnet Detection and Privacy Preserving Machine Learning , Di Zhuang

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Architecture design and optimization of Edge-enabled Smart Grids , Adetola B. Adeniran

Multimodal Data Fusion and Attack Detection in Recommender Systems , Mehmet Aktukmak

Artificial Intelligence Towards the Wireless Channel Modeling Communications in 5G , Saud Mobark Aldossari

Enhancement of 5G Network Performance Using Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) , Faeik Tayseer Al Rabee

Investigation of Machine Learning Algorithms for Intrusion Detection System in Cybersecurity , Mohmmed Alrowaily

Comprehensive Optimization Models for Voltage Regulation in PV-rich Multi-phase Distribution Systems , Ibrahim Alsaleh

Design and Implementation of Solid/Solid Phononic Crystal Structures in Lateral Extensional Thin-film Piezoelectric on Silicon Micromechanical Resonators , Abdulrahman Alsolami

Analysis of Computational Modeling Methods as Applied to Single-Crystal Organohalide Perovskites , Jon M. Bebeau

Development of a Monolithic Implantable Neural Interface from Cubic Silicon Carbide and Evaluation of Its MRI Compatibility , Mohammad Beygi

Performance Enhancement Techniques for Next-Generation Multi-Service Communication and Medical Cyber-Physical Systems , Ali Fatih Demir

Microfluidically Reconfigurable Millimeter-Wave Switches, Antenna Arrays and Filters with Fast-Actuation Using Movable Metallized Plates and Integrated Actuation , Enrique J. Gonzalez Carvajal

Multilayered Transmission Lines, Antennas and Phased Arrays with Structurally Integrated Control Electronics Using Additive Manufacturing , Merve Kacar

Cost Efficient Algorithms and Methods for Spectral Efficiency in Future Radio Access , Murat Karabacak

Design of DeLRo Autonomous Delivery Robot and AI Based Localization , Tolga Karakurt

Theory, Fabrication, and Characterization of Perovskite Phototransistor , Fatemeh Khorramshahi

Modeling and Control of Renewable Energy in Grids and Microgrids , Yin Li

Next-Generation Self-Organizing Communications Networks: Synergistic Application of Machine Learning and User-Centric Technologies , Chetana V. Murudkar

Reliability Analysis of Power Grids and its Interdependent Infrastructures: An Interaction Graph-based Approach , Upama Nakarmi

Algorithms Enabling Communications in the Presence of Adjacent Channel Interference , Berker Peköz

Electrospun Nanofibrous Membrane Based Glucose Sensor with Integration of Potentiostat Circuit , Kavyashree Puttananjegowda

Service Provisioning and Security Design in Software Defined Networks , Mohamed Rahouti

Reading and Programming Spintronic Devices for Biomimetic Applications and Fault-tolerant Memory Design , Kawsher Ahmed Roxy

Implementation of SR Flip-Flop Based PUF on FPGA for Hardware Security , Sai Praneeth Sagi

Trauma Detection Personal Locator Beacon System , Sakshi Sharma

Network Function Virtualization In Fog Networks , Nazli Siasi

Socially Aware Network User Mobility Analysis and Novel Approaches on Aerial Mobile Wireless Network Deployment , Ismail Uluturk

Spatial Stereo Sound Source Localization Optimization and CNN Based Source Feature Recognition , Cong Xu

Hybrid RF Acoustic Resonators and Arrays with Integrated Capacitive and Piezoelectric Transducers , Adnan Zaman

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Fabrication and Characterization of Electrical Energy Storage and Harvesting Energy Devices Using Gel Electrolytes , Belqasem Aljafari

Phasor Measurement Unit Data-Based Steady State and Dynamic Model Estimation , Anas Almunif

Cross Layer-based Intrusion Detection System Using Machine Learning for MANETs , Amar Amouri

Power Conditioning System on a Micro-Grid System , Tamoghna Banerjee

Thermal Response in a Field Oriented Controlled Three-phase Induction Motor , Niyem Mawenbe Bawana

Design and Development of a Wireless EEG System Integrated into a Football Helmet , Akshay V. Dunakhe

Machine Learning, Game Theory Algorithms, and Medium Access Protocols for 5G and Internet-of-Thing (IoT) Networks , Mohamed Elkourdi

Improving Stability by Enhancing Critical Fault Clearing Time , Ammara M. Ghani

RF Power Circuit Designs for Wi-Fi Applications , Krishna Manasa Gollapudi

Enhancing Secrecy and Capacity of Wireless Systems Using Directive Communications , Mohammed A. Hafez

Statistical Anomaly Detection and Mitigation of Cyber Attacks for Intelligent Transportation Systems , Ammar Haydari

Absorber and Window Study – CdSexTe1-x/CdTe Thin Film Solar Cells , Chih-An Hsu

Methods and Algorithms to Enhance the Security, Increase the Throughput, and Decrease the Synchronization Delay in 5G Networks , Asim Mazin

Piezoelectric ZnO Nanowires as a Tunable Interface Material for Opto-Electronic Applications , Anand Kumar Santhanakrishna

Security Framework for the Internet of Things Leveraging Network Telescopes and Machine Learning , Farooq Israr Ahmed Shaikh

Diversity and Network Coded 5G Wireless Network Infrastructure for Ultra-Reliable Communications , Nabeel Ibrahim Sulieman

The Design of Passive Networks with Full-Wave Component Models , Eric Valentino

CubeSat Constellation Design for Intersatellite Linking , Michael T. White

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Design of Micro-Scale Energy Harvesting Systems for Low Power Applications Using Enhanced Power Management System , Majdi M. Ababneh

A Study on the Adaptability of Immune System Principles to Wireless Sensor Network and IoT Security , Vishwa Alaparthy

Validation of Results of Smart Grid Protection through Self-Healing , Felipe Framil Assumpção

A Novel Framework to Determine Physiological Signals From Blood Flow Dynamics , Prashanth Chetlur Adithya

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Recent phd research topic ideas for electrical engineering 2020.

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• Improvement of THD ratio in three phase cascaded multilevel power converters from one PV source.
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New hardware device to make artificial intelligence applications more energy efficient

ECE researchers have demonstrated a new device where data never leaves memory, called computational random-access memory (CRAM). This research comes from Wang and his collaborators’ patented work on Magnetic Tunnel Junctions, key to spintronic devices and used to improve hard drives, sensors, and other systems including Magnetic Random Access Memory (MRAM). The CRAM architecture enables true computation in and by memory, and it breaks down the wall between computation and memory which has been a bottleneck in traditional von Neumann architecture. CRAM performs computations directly within memory cells, utilizing the array structure efficiently, which eliminates the need for slow and energy-intensive data transfers. The state-of-the-art hardware device could reduce energy consumption for artificial intelligence (AI) computing applications by a factor of at least 1,000. The team plans to work with semiconductor industry leaders for large scale demonstrations and production of hardware to advance AI functionality. The team were supported by researchers from the University of Arizona. 

The University of Minnesota Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering team included Yang Lv, Distinguished McKnight Professor and Robert F. Hartmann Chair Jian-Ping Wang, Professor Ulya Karpuzcu, researchers Robert Bloom and H üsrev Cılasun , Distinguished McKnight Professor and Robert and Marjorie Henle Chair Sachin Sapatnekar, and former postdoctoral researchers Brandon Zink, Zamshed Chowdhury, and Salonik Resch. The researchers from University of Arizona included Pravin Khanal, Ali Habiboglu, and Professor Weigang Wang.

The research is published in  npj Unconventional Computing , a Nature journal under the title, "Experimental demonstration of magnetic tunnel junction-based computational random-access memory." To read the details of the research, visit the   npj Unconventional Computing website.  

The research was supported by grants from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and Cisco Inc. Research including nanodevice patterning was conducted in collaboration with the Minnesota Nano Center and simulation/calculation work was done with the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute at the University of Minnesota. 

The College of Science and Engineering first posted this news.

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Researchers use engineering to study the effects of cannabis on the brain

Electrical engineering and neuroscience researchers collaborate to create a device that can help understand the effects of cannabis on memory and learning.

• Jimmy Robertson

16 Aug 2024

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In the world of higher education, there has been a rapid convergence between the fields of electrical engineering and neuroscience.

For two Virginia Tech professors focusing on developing new treatments and unlocking new technologies, the pairing should be utilized more often to meet pressing medical challenges.

For the last three years, Xiaoting Jia , associate professor in the College of Engineering , and Dan English , assistant professor in the College of Science , have collaborated on a research project that explores how cannabis changes the activity of the brain. Specifically, their focus centers on the effect of cannabinoids, compounds naturally occurring in plants of the genus Cannabis, on the hippocampus, an area of the brain that plays a major role in learning and memory. While cannabis use is known to affect memory in humans, the mechanisms are not well understood.

This partnership started shortly after the pandemic and builds on English’s longtime research on the neural circuit function within the brain that supports spatial navigation — the brain’s GPS — and memory. 

His research in this area is growing in importance. Jonathan Caulkins, a cannabis policy researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, said in a recent Associated Press report that “a good 40 percent of current cannabis users are using it daily or near daily, a pattern that is more associated with tobacco use than typical alcohol use.”

In addition, a recent Gallup poll showed that 17 percent of Americans reported smoking marijuana in 2023, up from 7 percent in 2013.

“It’s having much more of an impact on public health today,” English said. “We really need to ramp up our research on all fronts of understanding cannabinoids.”

To do his part, English sought a way to study how cannabinoids change activity in specific neural circuit cells. Through extensive collaboration, Jia produced a novel device to answer these questions.

Probing the brain

Jia, professor in the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering , has been developing advanced multifunctional probes since she was a postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. While there, she and groups of other postdoctoral fellows and graduate students started working on probes to insert into the brain to help understand its function.  

These probes – no wider than a strand of hair – contain electrodes that record electrical signals from the neurons within the brain.

The probe is so thin, flexible, and minimally invasive that the brain hardly knows it’s there. Jia developed one of the first fiber-based neural probes and was one of the leading authors of a paper published in Nature Biotechnology in 2015.

“We were asking then, ‘What happens if we put this flexible, functional fiber into the brain?’” Jia said. “This seems to be a very natural platform for communicating with the brain. When I joined Virginia Tech, I basically built the same platform that allowed me to continue in this very exciting direction. Since then, we have made significant advancements in developing more complex fibers with advanced functionalities and three-dimensional interfacing capability.”

English worked with engineers at New York University and the University of Michigan during his time as a postdoctoral fellow and quickly learned how to leverage collaborations with engineers to make neuroscience discoveries. When he interviewed for the position at  Virginia Tech's School of Neuroscience , he met Jia and the two quickly bonded over a common professional interest.

To support English’s research, the two of them and four doctoral students – two from electrical engineering and two from neuroscience – made a probe out of a polymer matrix composite material that allowed for flexibility and biocompatibility. The probe was tapered on one end with a small tip that provides the ability to go deep into hippocampus region of the brain. 

“We can do this without causing significant damage, without disturbing the natural neural activities or the circuit behavior in the hippocampus,” Jia said. “In the meantime, we can connect multiple electrodes, optical waveguides, and drug delivery channels on the back end and record the neural signals and moderate neural activities.”

The probe allowed English and his team to pick up electrical signals from the neurons in that vicinity, and they were able to shine a small light into the brain. The probe also included a microfluidic channel that allowed for the application of drugs – in this case, cannabinoids – to the cells. 

“In most studies, drugs have been applied systemically, affecting all cells,” English said. “But that’s obviously affecting the other parts of the brain too. We isolated the function of this circuit because the probe is so small and multifunctional and can do all these things in such a small volume of the brain.”

So what did they learn? Jia and English revealed their findings in a paper recently published in Nature Communications .

“This study showed how cannabinoid receptors control neural oscillations, whose functions are to organize activity for effective neuronal communication,” English said. “In the hippocampus specifically, the decrease in oscillations produced by cannabinoid exposure is hypothesized to produce memory deficits. Importantly, because cannabinoid receptors are found at different levels in different brain areas, future experiments with our device will be able to determine if these effects are unique to the hippocampus.

“This is why, in this paper, we had to develop and use this device where we just didn’t have to inject the animal systemically or have the animal ingest a cannabinoid. Critically, we just were able to inject a tiny bit of the cannabinoid right in the circuit that we were studying, and so it wasn’t affecting any other part of the brain. It was just affecting this tiny circuit.”

Student collaboration

An indirect benefit of this project centered on student involvement. Each of the four students involved worked on every part of the project. For example, the neuroscience doctoral students went to Jia’s lab and helped with the design and the building of the probe while the electrical engineering students conducted neuroscience experiments. 

This transdisciplinary experience helps students understand future research and makes them more competitive when seeking positions at other universities or in the private sector.

“We all wrote the paper,” English said. “And the part of Xiaoting’s team that works with us, they learned the neuroscience, and my students learned the engineering side. They all could explain every figure in the paper because of this level of collaborative training. Bigger or smaller, they were all involved in both the neuroscience and the engineering, so for the students, it was an amazing experience.”

Jia agreed and said the technology can be mass produced for the marketplace.

“The advantage of our probe is that it’s low cost and scalable,” Jia said. “There is great potential for commercialization.”

Future steps

For English, publishing the paper capped his first foray into cannabinoid research, and he wants to continue the partnership with Jia in hopes of creating a probe that allows them to record and analyze the behavior of more than 10 times the number of neurons the brain at the same time. This would allow for better understanding of the interaction of neurons within the circuit.

“We want to study more and have more of a complete understanding of the circuit and also how it relates to behavior,” he said. “We understand how the circuit has changed, and the next step is to understand it well enough to then make predictions about changes in behavior, and then actually do experiments manipulating the system and evaluating the outcomes.”

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Chelsea Seeber

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Multifaceted Summer: Ishita Pai Raikar’s Blend of Research, Entrepreneurship, and Advocacy

Ishita Pai Raikar ’26, a Computer Engineering student at NC State, spent her summer immersed in a blend of research, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and academic learning. Her journey was marked by significant contributions and personal growth across various fields.

Research with the NeuroComputational Ethics Research Group

Ishita continued her research with the NeuroComputational Ethics Research Group, focusing on the moral decision-making aspects of social care robotics. She analyzed the Pepper robot’s functions, limitations, and pre-programmed movements while exploring the underlying Python code. This research was funded by the Women in Minority and Engineering Summer Program Experience.

“I recently had the opportunity to present my work at the Summer Research Symposium,” Ishita shared. “It was rewarding to see my efforts recognized and to contribute to the field of social care robotics.”

NC State Entrepreneurship Changemaker Fellowship

Ishita was selected for the NC State Entrepreneurship Changemaker Fellowship, a rigorous 12-week program. As part of her deliverables, she developed a Comprehensive Guide for NC State Students to Transform Ideas into Startups, which offers a step-by-step roadmap for students to turn their ideas into viable startups.

“The fellowship provided a unique blend of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and personal development,” Ishita said. “It was an invaluable experience, especially developing my startup that was a finalist at the VenturePack Challenge.”

Leading Collaborative Initiatives

Ishita spearheaded the planning of a high-profile initiative in collaboration with the NC State Data Science Academy and Future World Alliance, focusing on the AI Ethics panel series. She coordinated every aspect of the event, from securing expert panelists with diverse perspectives on AI ethics to managing logistics, including venue selection and virtual accessibility options. Ishita also developed targeted outreach strategies, engaging key stakeholders such as academic professionals, industry leaders, and policymakers, ensuring a robust and impactful discussion on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Her work not only addressed the pressing issues in AI but also fostered a collaborative environment for ongoing dialogue.

“Managing these collaborative initiatives was a challenging yet fulfilling experience,” she remarked. “It reinforced my dedication to ethical technology and sustainability.” Additionally, Ishita continued her work with the Blue Economy Innovation Program at NC State, collaborating with UNC Wilmington on the NC Blue Economy report and planning the Blue Economy international webinar series.

Advocacy in Washington, D.C.

A highlight of Ishita’s summer was her involvement in the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. She represented the Indian diaspora, addressing tech export controls, defense partnerships, and diaspora concerns with congressmen and women.

“It was an honor to be part of the advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C.,” Ishita said. “Engaging with policymakers and advocating for the Indian diaspora was a defining moment for me.”

Preparing for Miss India Worldwide 2024

Balancing her academic and professional commitments, Ishita also dedicated time to honing her public speaking skills and stage presence as she prepares to represent the USA in the Miss India Worldwide 2024 competition.

“This summer has been a rich tapestry of experiences,” Ishita reflected. “From driving innovation and social impact through the Changemaker Fellowship to advocating for important causes, each experience has significantly shaped my professional and personal growth.”

A Summer of Growth and Innovation

Ishita’s multifaceted summer has profoundly shaped her career trajectory. Leading the Changemaker Fellowship project honed her skills in driving innovation for social impact while spearheading the AI Ethics panel series reinforced her dedication to ethical technology. Her work with the Blue Economy Innovation Program deepened her commitment to sustainability. Collectively, these experiences have crystallized her goal to blend technology, ethics, and sustainability in creating transformative solutions.

Sara Concini, Director of Corporate Relations and Career Services, praised Ishita’s achievements, saying, “Ishita embodies the spirit of NC State ECE with her dedication to research, innovation, and advocacy. Her proactive approach and commitment to making a positive impact are truly commendable. She is a shining example of the kind of leader we aim to cultivate at NC State.”