Research

Mason's researchers are experts in a diverse array of fields that have an impact on national security, satellite communications, high-speed wireless networks, health care, and the environment. 

“My main area of research is a synthesis of signal processing and ocean acoustics, which is funded by the Office of Naval Research. I’m currently applying new results from mathematics to analyze and improve algorithms for processing data from larger and larger arrays of sensors.”

— Kathleen Wage, Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Making Discoveries that Make a Difference

Our electrical and computer engineering research areas run the gamut from microscopic (nanotech) to massive (the world's oceans). They study topics such as:

  • Bioengineering.

  • Communications and networking.

  • Computer engineering.

  • Control and robotics.

  • Cybersecurity.

  • Electronics.

  • Power and energy systems.

  • Signal Processing.

Examples of our research include:

  • Leveraging mathematical studies to analyze and improve sonar signal-processing algorithms for detection and range finding. Researchers use data from several projects to focus on modeling ambient noise and signal scattering in the deep ocean. As a part of these experiments, our faculty have conducted studies on research ships in the North Pacific and Philippine Sea.

  • Creating sophisticated methods to protect software and hardware implementations of cryptographic algorithms from side-channel attacks. Researchers use these techniques to develop new cryptographic standards for lightweight cryptography and post-quantum cryptography.

  • Developing precise gas sensors to detect and identify various chemicals. Pinpointing such substances can be critical in time-sensitive search-and-rescue missions.

Faculty researchers frequently have graduate and undergraduate students on their teams, and that experience enables our graduates to build careers in academia, industry, and government-sponsored research labs.

Providing the Resources for Great Results

Our research centers and labs have powerful computing platforms and the sophisticated equipment required to conduct experiments and create prototypes.

The department's researchers collaborate with visiting scholars from around the world, and our work is sponsored, funded, and supported by local industry and such national organizations as:

Many faculty researchers are fellows of the IEEE and other professional societies and have been recognized with prestigious career awards from NSF and ONR.