|
A new generation of wireless-sensing technology being
developed at UCLA promises to connect the physical world in the
same way the internet has linked the virtual world
Center for Embedded Networked Sensing
National Science Foundation: $40M
Just as UCLA was the first node on the computer network
that was the precursor to the Internet, the next incarnation of
the Internet
is being developed at UCLA’s Center for Embedded Networked
Sensing. Embedded networked sensing systems use tiny devices that
can be densely distributed within a natural or man-made environment
to monitor and collect information on such diverse subjects as
plankton colonies, endangered species, contaminants in soil and
air, airplane wings, artificial structures such as buildings and
bridges, and even physiological information about medical patients.
Faculty from computer science, engineering, biology,
geophysics, education and information studies and the California
NanoSystems
Institute are involved with
the center, as well as faculty from several other Southern California
schools and the Jet Propulsion Lab.
Initially the center will concentrate on developing the fundamental
technology to create the sensor networks. To make sure that the
networks will be able to operate without constant human supervision,
researchers will focus on developing devices that can organize
themselves into a network, repair themselves and manage their
own power consumption. Then, working together with scientists
in other fields, computer scientists and engineers will apply
the networks in four physical areas: the environment and its
biological diversity, earthquake-prone structures, pollutant
flows through water and land, and detection and identification
of tiny organisms that contaminate the oceans and coastal waters.
 UCLA
spotlight on Deborah Estrin and Embedded Network Sensing
Video
(Real Media, 2 minutes 58 seconds)
Sensing
the Future (UCLA Magazine story)
Center
for Embedded Network Sensing (CENS) web site |
