The modeling, simulation and analysis of integrated building energy and control systems that significantly reduce energy consumption poses challenges that are not well addressed by standard building simulation pro- grams. This seminar discusses how modular system modeling based on the object-oriented equation-based Modelica language and on co-simulation can address these challenges. We demonstrate applications that are enabled by this new approach and that are outside the scope of standard building simulation programs.

Recent advances in photonics and directed energy systems now allow us to realize what was only a decade ago, simply science fiction. It is no longer. Spacecraft from fully-functional gram-level wafer-scale systems (“wafer sats”) capable of speeds greater than ¼ c  that could reach the nearest star in  20 years to spacecraft for large missions capable of supporting human life with masses more than 105 kg (100 tons) that could reach speeds of greater than 1000 km/s can be realized.

The United Nations has declared 2015 as the International Year of Light in order to recognize the importance of raising global awareness about how light-based technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health.

Low threshold visible lasers are useful for a number of applications including full color mobile projectors, optical data storage, heads-up displays in automobiles, in medicine and plastic fiber communication. Lasers emitting in the blue and green are generally realized with GaN-based InGaN/GaN quantum wells (QWs) as the gain media. Self-organized quantum dots (QDs), which form by strain relaxation, offer distinct advantages over quantum wells and their emission can be extended to longer wavelengths (~ 630 nm).

Discussion of Moore’s Law and analysis of its impact on computer architecture. With computer clock rates leveling, other methods to achieve high performance computing must be found.  This talk will discuss the role of software, its current state and trends, and application specific heterogeneous computing in achieving next generation high performance computing.

Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria (DMRB) are a class of microorganisms that inhabit many subsurface environments including marine sediments. They occupy a distinct metabolic niche wherein they can acquire energy by coupling oxidation of organic matter with reduction of insoluble oxidants such as mineral deposits. This capability requires that DMRB transfer electrons to their outer surface where electron-transfer can occur to an insoluble oxidant which is distinct from the dominant paradigm in which soluble oxidants are transported into cells for reduction during metabolism.

Integrated photonics has the potential to greatly reduce the size, weight, and power (SWaP) while improving the performance and reliability of photonic systems. This technology has already impacted telecommunications and is expected to transform data center communications, high performance computing, microwave photonics, and sensing. This talk will describe examples of integrated photonic technologies being developed in our research group and also discuss a novel application for integrated photonics, namely, space optical communications.

Graphene, a monolayer of carbon atoms forming a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice structure, is considered a wonder material for both scientific research and technological applications since its successful isolation in 2004. As a flexible, transparent conductor with intrinsically very high electrical mobility and thermal conductivity, graphene is promising for large-area electronic devices such as touch screen displays, electrodes for photovoltaic cells, interconnects for electrical circuits, and panels for light emitting diodes.

Capacity growth in communication and sensor networks suggests order of magnitude increases over the next decade. To satisfy this growth, wireless and optical network technologies will increase spectral efficiency through a combination of signal processing and device improvements. At millimeter-wave bands, high-order modulation such as quadrature-amplitude modulation (QAM) is critical for backhaul links at the expense of higher peak-to-average power ratios. Similarly, coherent optical detection techniques for QPSK in 40/100 GbE optical networks have gained industry acceptance.

What can we expect from rooftop photovoltaic arrays on our homes, businesses, and public buildings?  What are the opportunities and challenges we face as we look to America’s brownfields – waste sites and other industrial properties – to extend solar power’s reach? And how shall we reckon with the prospects and pitfalls of building utility-scale solar plants on our farmlands and natural open spaces?