News

ECE Researcher Unraveling the Secrets of Explosives
(July 24, 2009) Qingkai Yu, a research assistant professor of electrical engineering, is developing minuscule thermo-sensors that would allow, for the first time, the ability to closely monitor temperature when a bomb explodes. Recordings from these sensors, detailing exactly how the temperature evolves with time during an explosion, are expected to be key in building a device capable of more efficiently countering the effects of chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction.

Researcher Set to Improve on TxDOT Road Maintenance Device
(July 17, 2009) For the last 10 years, Professor Richard Liu has been working with the Texas Department of Transportation to improve driver safety by revolutionizing the way road wear is tested on some 80,000 centerline miles of highway across Texas. TxDOT recently renewed their interagency contract with Liu, providing up to $300,000 to support the maintenance and further development of his vehicle-mounted laser devices, which provide data on road conditions to TxDOT crews.

Researchers to Redesign Key Material Used in Solar Device
(June 16, 2009) Two researchers in the college's department of electrical and computer engineering have received a $348,645 National Science Foundation grant to restructure silicon at the nanoscale. Throughout the three years, the two will redesign this material into a hexagonal structure, believed to be key to allowing solar devices to capture more rays, especially infrared, from the sun and converting them into electricity.

Saying Goodbye to the Y: Alumnus, Son of Professor Shares his Memories
(June 15, 2009) Scott Prengle (1981 BSEE, 1984 MSEE)—son of William Prengle, one of three chemical engineering department founders—recalls the significance of the Y-Building during the early years of the college's existence. He spent many days in the facility as a child and then later as a UH engineering student. The metal structure, pegged to be demolished soon, housed the first dean's office, faculty offices and laboratories and, to this day, still provides space for research and student organizations.

UH's Leadership in Creation of Ship Channel Security District Commended
(June 10, 2009) The University of Houston is being credited with playing a pivotal role in the creation of the Houston Ship Channel Security District, which was approved unanimously by Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday morning and was publicly announced at a news conference today. The development of the security district, a public-private partnership that will fund enhancements to security technology, infrastructure and processes along the ship channel.

ECE Professor Featured in Popular Magazine
(May 18, 2009) Neuroscience research being conducted by Bhavin Sheth, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, was recently featured in an issue of The Economist. The article spotlights Sheth's work with London researcher Joydeep Bhattacharya and Austria researcher Simone Sandkuhler on insight. Characterized as the clear and often sudden understanding of a complex situation or problem, the study by the three suggests insight occurs much earlier than most thought—as much as eight seconds before we are consciously aware we have solved the problem.

UH Robotics Teams Make History at Regional Competition
(April 23, 2009) UH Cullen College of Engineering robotics teams took first and third place at the 2009 IEEE Region 5 Technical, Professional and Student Conference robotics competition, marking the first time UH has grabbed two spots in the top three. Members from each team have toiled the last six months conceptualizing, designing, building and programing their robots for the annual competition.

ECE Professor Presented Inaugural University Honor
(April 23, 2009) Stuart Long, professor of electrical and computer engineering and university-wide associate dean for undergraduate research and The Honors College, has received the inaugural University of Houston Teaching Excellence: Career Award. Long has served the Cullen College of Engineering for more than 35 years as an educator, administrator and researcher. Over the last decade, he has been an investigator on more than 11 external grants totaling more than $6 million to promote the STEM fields to high school students as well as advance undergraduate research.

UH Team Excels in Regional Circuit Design Competition
(April 22, 2009) A duo from the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering relied on problem solving skills and classroom instruction to secure the first place title at a regional circuit design competition last weekend. John Hemmick and Osaid Shamsi, both seniors in the college’s department of electrical and computer engineering, were pitted against 10 teams in the nonstop, seven-hour competition challenging them to design and build a solar-powered battery charger at the 2009 IEEE Region 5 Technical, Professional and Student Conference.

NSF Grant to Fund Center Focused on Electromagnetic Compatibility Research
(March 17, 2009) UH and the Missouri University of Science and Technology are launching the Center for Electromagnetic Compatibility. Funded with a five-year, $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation and $300,000 in added yearly support from industry, the center will work to reduce electromagnetic interference in electronic devices.

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