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 Initiatives.
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
American Academy of Arts and Sciences Electees Explain the Impacts of Their Research
University Distinguished Professor Eduardo Sontag, electrical and computer engineering, jointly appointed in bioengineering, and Elizabeth Mynatt, dean of the Khoury College of Computer Sciences, have both been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Their interdisciplinary work encompasses how humans and computers interact and the mathematical concepts behind human systems.
Celebrating Affinity Student Groups at the 18th Annual Joint Recognition Banquet
Students, faculty, and staff were recognized for their commitments to several affinity student groups April 20 at the College of Engineering’s 18th Annual Joint Recognition Banquet. The groups represented included SHPE, SWE, BESS, SASE, and DICE.
Patent for Innovative Thin Film Heterostructures
ECE Professor Nian X. Sun was awarded a patent for “Sputter deposited crystalline ordered topological insulator/ferromagnet (TI/FM) thin film heterostructures for spintronics applications.”
Abur and Hajjar Appointed University Distinguished Professors
ECE Professor Ali Abur and CDM Smith Professor and CEE Department Chair Jerome Hajjar were appointed the rank of University Distinguished Professor, the highest honor the university can bestow upon a faculty member.