EM Research Areas

Research Overview  (Quoted from the EE Connection)

Whether working to prevent disruption of the power grid from electro-magnetic solar activity, or developing nano-technology for optical microchips, research activity in the department is dedicated to extending the capability of electrical and computer engineering.

Research efforts range from the highly theoretical to the very applied, and is ongoing in all of the major areas of the field today. Our programs are focused on extending the base of knowledge, developing and transferring technology in support of the state's and the country's industrial activity, and providing students at all levels with exposure and experience in cutting edge pursuits in their field.

Research Areas

The research base of electromagnetics is extremely broad with emphasis in the following areas:

• Fiber Optics - Sensors, Systems, and Optical Waveguides
• Acousto-optics, Image Processing, Holography
• Antennas - Design, Analysis, and Measurement
• Numerical Methods
• Microwave Material Processing
• Microwave Measurements/Material Characterization
• Time-Domain Measurements, Modeling, and Simulation
• Random Propagation and Focused Waves
• Remote Sensing
• Rough Surface Scattering
• Electron-Optics

These research areas emphasize applications areas such as wireless and satellites to optical processing and sensors. They are heavily supported by a variety of industrial and government sponsors where many electromagnetic jobs are to be found.
 

Research Centers, Groups, and Laboratories

• Antenna Group
• Dusty Plasma Lab
• Electromagnetics Group
• ElectroMagnetic Interactions Laboratory
• Fiber & Electro-Optics Research Center
              Designated a Technology Development Center by Virginia Center for Innovative Technology (CIT).
• Optical Image Processing Laboratory
• Photonics Laboratory
• Satellite Communications Group
• Time Domain and RF Measurement Laboratory
• Wireless Microsystems Laboratory
• Other Related Centers and Laboratories
• Closely allied with the electromagnetics area are the Center for Wireless Telecommunications and the Mobile and Portable Radio Group which are primarily focused on communications problems.
   

Facilities in Electromagnetics

• Antenna Laboratory
• Fiber Fabrication Facility
• Mobile and Portable Radio Laboratory
• Optical Image Processing Laboratory
• Satellite Tracking Station
• Time Domain and RF Measurement Laboratory,  Whitt 412
• Radio Laboratory
• Electromagnetic Interactions Laboratory
• Microwave and Nanowave Laboratory, Whitt. 675

Recent advances include a new analysis of drop-size distributions from several advection-fog sites relating electromagnetic radar and laser parameters to meteorological parameters, development of smart antenna systems for tracking vehicle movement, safe antennas for handheld products, wideband antenna arrays and elements, miniature helix, applications of the Method of Ordered Multiple Interactions and low grazing angle scatter modeling, rough surface scattering in the presence of atmospheric refraction, fiber sensors for smart-structures, optical detection of biological functions, non-destructive evaluation for smart roads and several more projects in optics, transients, antennas, scattering, and the full range of electromagnetic interaction.