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
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
Patent Awarded for Ultrabroadband Wireless Communications
ECE Professor & Associate Dean for Research Josep Jornet was awarded a patent for “System and method for real-time ultrabroadband wireless communications.”
Sustainable Solutions for Semiconductor Wastewater
ECE Professor Ravinder Dahiya’s research on “Semiconductor Manufacturing Wastewater Challenges and the Potential Solutions via Printed Electronics” was published in iScience.
New Satellite Connectivity Technology Rapidly Improves Communication
ECE Professor and Associate Dean for Research Josep Jornet talks about new satellite connectivity technology found in the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Google Pixel Watch 4, and how the technology will positively impact and rapidly improve satellite communication.
Restuccia Receives DARPA Young Faculty Award to Study Resilient AI in Autonomous Systems
ECE Assistant Professor Francesco Restuccia received a Young Faculty Award from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) that will provide research funding for “RADAR: Resource-Aware Dynamic Adaptation for Resilient DNNs in Low-SWaP Tactical Systems.”