Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Northeastern University College of Engineering
Student looking through microscope

Research

Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Research

The Electrical and Computer Engineering department nourishes a vibrant research environment motivated by our dedicated faculty and graduate students. Our research programs are funded by many government agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Department of Homeland Security, and numerous local and national industries.

Research activities at the ECE Department can be classified by research areas and by research centers and institutes. The department offers eight research areas of focus and is either the lead or partner of nine research centers and institutes.

Faculty also conduct research in their labs. View faculty profiles to learn about their research, including work being conducted in their laboratories. Also, view our Annual Reports and college-wide research efforts.

Quick Facts

$52M

external research awards (FY2024)

91

tenured/tenure-track faculty

12+

research centers and institutes (leading or affiliated with)

Research Strengths

Our research strengths encompass the full gamut of cutting-edge ECE technologies: embedded systems and internet-of-things, robotics and cyber-human systems, networking (mobile/wireless as well as the Internet of the future), big data analytics and machine learning. Northeastern’s historic strengths in ECE include communications and digital signal processing, power and control systems, power electronics, RF/microwave magnetic materials, device technologies, and computer engineering.

Biomedical Research and Collaborations

Northeastern ECE faculty are engaged in a range of biomedical projects in collaboration with fellow world-class researchers in the Boston-area medical community. These projects span all disciplinary areas and include MEMS/NEMS sensors for biological detection; applications of wireless technology in biomedical implants; biomedical imaging hardware and signal processing; brain-computer interface technologies; disease detection and tracking; and many more.

Recent News

More News
Image for INSI Researchers Lead Three Newly Funded NSF Projects in Next-Generation Wireless Networking
Faculty

INSI Researchers Lead Three Newly Funded NSF Projects in Next-Generation Wireless Networking

INSI-affiliated researchers are part of three of 19 projects funded nationwide under the NSF’s VINES program, bringing $5.6 million to Northeastern for work on AI data centers, smart cities, and aviation safety.

Image for Northeastern Researchers Identify Security Flaws in At-Home Fertility Monitor
Faculty

Northeastern Researchers Identify Security Flaws in At-Home Fertility Monitor

Led by ECE Professor Kevin Fu, graduate researchers working within the Archimedes Center for Healthcare & Medical Device Cybersecurity uncovered security vulnerabilities in the Mira Ultra 4 fertility tracker.

Image for Patent for Smart Implantable Biosensor That Monitors Biomarkers and Transmits Health Data
Faculty

Patent for Smart Implantable Biosensor That Monitors Biomarkers and Transmits Health Data

ECE Professor & Associate Dean for Research Josep Jornet was awarded a patent for “Implantable biosensor and communication node with plasmonic nano-antenna.”

Image for Patent for Next-Generation Light and Color Sensing Technology
Faculty

Patent for Next-Generation Light and Color Sensing Technology

ChE Affiliated Faculty Swastik Kar and ECE Associate Professor Sarah Ostadabbas were awarded a patent for “Device and method for color identification using multiple 2D material filters.”