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Industry Innovators Convene to Hear
About Research in Advanced Communications
Irene Burgo
 The
College of Engineering's Center for Advanced Communications (CAC) held
its annual meeting on Oct. 30 in the Connelly Center Cinema. The daylong
event began at 8:45 a.m. with opening remarks delivered by Dr. John R.
Johannes, vice president of Academic Affairs. Dr. Barry Johnson, dean
of Engineering, welcomed the guests and discussed his plans for the College.
Dr. Moeness Amin, director of CAC and professor of electrical and computer
engineering, presented an overview of the Center and discussed its mission
and goals. Finally, Dr. James Woods, of Ben Franklin Technology Partners
of Southeastern Pennsylvania, gave the keynote address, describing how
the company works in partnership with the Center.
The purpose of the annual meeting is to
present the Centerýs research activities related to both federal
and industrial-funded projects. The primary goal of CAC is to facilitate
the transformation of knowledge into innovations that will create new
wealth and strengthen a community utilizing research, technology, education
and commerce to leverage the resources of the individual partners.
The events included talks throughout the
day by Villanova faculty members from the departments of mechanical engineering,
and electrical and computer engineering. The talks focused on the Center's
current research projects in the areas of communications, antennas, microwave
and control. Some of the topics covered during the morning session included
"Through-Wall Imaging, a Hybrid Antenna and Signal Processing Perspective,"
by Dr. Fauzia Ahmad; and "Data Hiding in Compressed Multimedia Signals,"
presented by Dr. Bijan Mobaseri, both of the electrical and computer engineering
department. The afternoon talks featured presentations on "Dynamics
and Control of Mobile Robots," by Dr. C. Nataraj; and "Control
of Shape Memory Alloy Actuated Manipulators," by Dr. Hashem Ashrafiuon,
both of the mechanical engineering department.
From 4 to 5 p.m., guests were given an
opportunity to visit the Antenna Research laboratory and tour the Center
for Engineering Education and Research. Attendees included representatives
from Drexel University, Montgomery County Community College, the University
of Pennsylvania, the University of Scranton, Air Force Research Lab, Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency, NAVSEA, Philadelphia, Naval Surface
Warfare Center Carderock Division, Office of Naval Research, Surveillance
Systems Division, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of South East Pennsylvania,
Boeing Company, Honeywell Inc., Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Lockheed
Martin, Lucent Technologies, among many other corporations.
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