Overview of Sensor Systems
Research Group
The Sensor Systems Research Group advised by Professor
Joshua Smith focuses on inventing new sensor systems and developing innovative
ways to power them. We are working in 3
major areas: novel sensing techniques for robotic manipulation, resonant (near-field)
wireless power transfer, and (far-field) wirelessly powered systems.
More information can be found at: http://sensor.cs.washington.edu/
Some benefits of working with the Sensor Systems Research
Group as an undergraduate include applying between 2-5 credits of undergraduate
research (EE499 or CSE 498/9) towards your degree, receiving strong letters of
recommendation for graduate school/employment applications, publishing your
work in conferences, seminars, research competitions, or journals, and working
on exciting and innovative research projects in nearly any EE/CSE subject such
as analog and digital circuits, embedded systems, communications and
networking, electromagnetism, antenna design, robotics, programming, etc.
Wireless Power Delivery to
an Artificial Heart (FREE-D)
This undergraduate research opportunity deals with the
FREE-D project that delivers wireless power to a ventricular assist device
(VAD). A VAD is an artificial heart for patients who have total heart failure,
but are unable to qualify for a heart transplant. The Sensor Systems Research
Group has developed a technique to wirelessly power these devices.
This specific research opportunity is seeking one or two undergraduate
students with a strong analog circuits and/or embedded systems background to
design supplementary circuitry for the wirelessly powered system, such as DC-AC
inverters, DC-AC rectifiers, and DC-DC regulators. You will also be part of an
exciting project that is looking to have a strong impact in both the fields of
wireless power and artificial heart implantations. For more information on the FREE-D project please visit: http://students.washington.edu/bhw2114/research/research.html
Please contact Ben Waters (bhw2114@uw.edu)
if you are interested in this opportunity.
RFID-based Wireless
Identification and Sensing Platform (WISP)
This undergraduate research opportunity focuses on the
Wireless Identification and Sensing Platform (WISP) a wirelessly-powered
computational RFID tag with embedded MSP430 microcontroller and sensing
capabilities. Students will develop embedded and/or PC-side demonstration
applications for a new version of the WISP. Proficiency with embedded C
programming is required. Additional duties may include analog and digital
design and test, and PCB assembly (soldering).
Please contact Aaron Parks (anparks@uw.edu)
if you are interested.
Wireless Ambient Radio-Powered (WARP) GSM node
This project involves energy-harvesting wireless sensing nodes which communicate via cellular (GSM) networks. Students with experience in both embedded systems programming and communications systems will be ideally suited for this project, although strong skills in either area will be adequate. Additional duties may include analog and digital design and test, and PCB assembly (soldering). This project will require a significant time commitment for students unfamiliar with GSM networking protocols.
Please contact Aaron Parks (anparks@uw.edu)
if you are interested.
