News

Narayanswamy shapes the future of imaging, one lens at a time

Charles Ferrer — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 19:00:02 +0000

Narayanswamy shapes the future of imaging, one lens at a time Charles Ferrer Wed, 07/09/2025 - 13:00

Charles Ferrer

Ram Narayanswamy (PhDElEngr’96) has spent more than 30 years pushing the limits of what cameras and sensors can see and how they see it. With a career spanning optics and 3D sensing at organizations like NASA and Intel Corporation, the CU Boulder alumnus and PhD graduate in electrical engineering has spent his career building innovative imaging systems.

Now a fellow and head of technical marketing at NIL Technology, Narayanswamy is helping to usher in the next generation of ultra-compact imaging systems through flat optics, also known as meta-optics, advancing lenses in the same way compact discs once revolutionized analog music.

“A vinyl record is analog. A CD is digital,” Narayanswamy said. “Meta-optics does the same for lenses, bringing them into the digital age using materials and manufacturing processes from the semiconductor industry.”

His interest in optics began during his time at NASA’s Langley Research Center, where he worked in a group that conducted research in imaging. After four years at NASA, he decided to pursue a PhD in electrical engineering.

His doctoral research, which was advised by former CU Boulder Professor Kristina M. Johnson, focused on detecting cancer cells in cervical smear slides. This work combined optical signal processing and what would now be called machine vision and artificial intelligence.

“Most medical screening slides are normal and hence a medical professional’s attention examining the slide can fade and miss abnormal cells,” he said. “We developed a system that could flag abnormal cells. With the doctor focusing on just the abnormal cells, the screening test leads to improved decision making and diagnosis.”

That fusion of optical systems and artificial intelligence design laid the foundation for a career that would help define how modern imaging technologies are built and applied.

Upon completing his PhD, Narayanswamy joined CDM Optics, a CU Boulder spin-out company, often credited with pioneering the field of computational imaging.

A legacy of innovation and impact

NIL Technology wins the prestigious Prism Award for the NILT metaEye™. (Credit: SPIE Photonics West)

Narayanswamy’s technical accomplishments are as numerous as they are influential. He holds 13 patents; has authored over 40 technical papers and presentations; and helped pioneer technologies like wavefront coding, array cameras and depth sensors.

In 1991, while at NASA, he co-authored a seminal paper on camera characterization, better known today as the ‘slanted-edge MTF test,’ a worldwide standard to measure camera modulation transfer function. While at Intel Labs, he incubated Intel’s RealSense multi-camera system, which won the Best of Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2015 award.

Most recently, his team at NIL Technology won the 2025 SPIE Prism Award for the metaEye™, an ultra-compact eye-tracking camera designed for AR/VR glasses.

Narayanswamy said that the technology could transform user experiences across a wide range of use-cases, including manufacturing, retail, entertainment and health tech.

“Imagine wearing AR glasses that know what you’re looking at,” he said. “In a grocery store, it could show you product info. As a tourist, it could identify cultural and historic landmarks. At a party, it could remind you of someone’s name.”

In a semiconductor fab setting or a hospital operating theater, he said, it can deliver the relevant information needed to complete the complex tasks. The technology also has other powerful applications in medicine and diagnostics.

“There’s huge potential in health technology. I can’t share specifics because of proprietary reasons,” he added, “but if you look up eye tracking in medical technology, you’ll find many exciting developments.”

Narayanswamy was key in bringing the camera project to life, not just as a technical expert, but also strategically for broad use in industry.

“My idea was: let’s not just offer nano-optics as a capability; let’s show it in action. We needed a 'show and tell’ moment that would make this science accessible to a broader audience,” he said. “That’s what the metaEyeTM camera does. Metaoptics was no longer just academic, but ready for use commercially.”

What’s next in imaging

Looking ahead, Narayanswamy is excited about the evolution of computational imaging, where lenses, sensors and algorithms are co-designed for future applications.

“Most cameras are still designed like they were in the film era, but today, cameras are digital sensors feeding algorithms. In the future, most camera data won’t be seen by a person since it’ll be analyzed by AI,” he said. “The image becomes data and that data powers decisions.”

From cancer detection and eye tracking to driver safety monitoring and augmented reality, Narayanswamy’s work shows how optics and imaging are reshaping the way we interact with the world.

Narayanswamy's family bleeds black and gold as they all have graduated from CU. (Credit: Ram Narayanswamy)

CU Boulder roots and a legacy of giving back

Narayanswamy credits his time at CU Engineering with shaping his engineering and career journey.

“All my work, whether it’s lenses, sensors, algorithms or full camera systems, traces back to my time at the college,” he said.

He remains deeply connected to the college, serving on the Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering External Advisory Board and previously on the ATLAS Institute’s advisory board. Giving back, he says, is a way to support future engineers and honor the education that empowered his own success.

“I’ve had a great professional and academic career,” Narayanswamy said, “and I want today’s students, who are tomorrow’s leaders, to have the same kind of opportunities I had.”

His commitment to CU extends to his family. All three of his children earned degrees from the University of Colorado — ranging from electrical engineering to creative technology & design and music — and his wife earned her master’s in computer science before becoming a high school math teacher.

Advice for the next generation

His advice for aspiring engineers is both broad and practical.

“Don’t restrict yourself. Electrical engineering is foundational since you can go into a wide range of new areas in robotics, aerospace, automotive, medical tech and pretty much anything. The core skills from signal processing, power systems to electromagnetics enable everything digital.”

He referenced how everything digital contains aspects of electrical and computer engineering inside, just like the famous ‘Intel inside’ commercial.

He also encourages students to be lifelong learners.

“This field is always evolving,” he said, “your learning doesn’t end at graduation; it just begins.”

CU Boulder alumnus Ram Narayanswamy is revolutionizing imaging technology through innovations in meta-optics and ultra-compact camera systems. His 30-year career spans NASA, Intel and now NIL Technology, where he's helping shape the future of how imaging and people see the world.

Off

Traditional

White

Draper Scholar to explore 3D-printed lens design

Charles Ferrer — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 19:47:59 +0000

Draper Scholar to explore 3D-printed lens design Charles Ferrer Tue, 07/01/2025 - 13:47

Charles Ferrer

Samuel Silberman, an incoming PhD student in electrical engineering, has been named a 2025 Draper Scholar by Draper. The prestigious graduate fellowship will support his research into radio frequency (RF) lens design using advanced 3D printing and additive manufacturing.

“My Draper fellowship will focus on developing synthesis and optimization methods for the design of RF lenses,” Silberman said. “These lenses will leverage multi-material additive manufacturing and corresponding material parameters achievable through advanced 3D printing techniques.”

RF lenses are critical components in communication and radar systems, often used to create highly directional lens antennas. Through his fellowship, Silberman hopes to take advantage of innovative 3D printing capabilities to improve the performance of these devices.

The Draper Scholar Program provides five years of funding and offers scholars access to scientists and engineers at Draper in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In addition to virtual mentorship, he will travel to Draper annually to present his research and connect with other fellows across the country.

Last summer, Silberman participated in undergraduate research through Canada’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council program. He worked on a resonant capacitive power transfer system for electrified roadways, conducting electromagnetic analysis and designing power electronics for the system. That hands-on experience cemented his interest in RF systems and power transfer and ultimately influenced his decision to pursue his PhD at CU Boulder.

“I was drawn to the work being done in electromagnetic metamaterials by my advisor, Cody Scarborough,” Silberman said, “and Colorado’s great skiing and hiking scene was an added bonus.”

He will be co-advised by Rob MacCurdy, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, on the mechanical aspects of the project.

Silberman earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, Canada.

“I’m really excited to contribute to the field and grow as a researcher through this opportunity,” he said.

Samuel Silberman, an incoming PhD student in electrical engineering, has been named a 2025 Draper Scholar by Draper. The prestigious graduate fellowship will support his research into radio frequency lens design using advanced 3D printing and additive manufacturing.

Off

Traditional

White

Andras Gyenis receives CAREER award to develop next-generation quantum processors

Charles Ferrer — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 16:03:47 +0000

Andras Gyenis receives CAREER award to develop next-generation quantum processors Charles Ferrer Wed, 06/25/2025 - 10:03

Charles Ferrer

Andras Gyenis (Photo Credit: Jesse Petersen)

Quantum computing holds the promise to revolutionize how we solve complex problems, but today’s devices still face steep challenges. At the heart of the issue lies reliability: current quantum bits—or qubits—are extremely sensitive to environmental noise and prone to errors.

Andras Gyenis is taking a bold step to change that. Gyenis, an assistant professor in CU Boulder’s Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, has received a prestigious five-year, $550,000 National Science Foundation CAREER award to design and build more robust superconducting qubits that could push the boundaries of quantum hardware.

Gyenis’ research focuses on superconducting Fourier qubits, a new type of quantum bit engineered to resist information loss by redundantly encoding quantum information.

Unlike conventional superconducting qubits—used by major companies like Google, IBM and Amazon—which are often vulnerable to noise, Fourier qubits are designed to suppress quantum errors at the hardware level.

“We’re using a strategy inspired by classical computing, where bits are protected from errors through smart design,” Gyenis said. “By protecting the qubit itself, we can reduce the amount of correction needed later and create more scalable systems.”

These Fourier quantum states allow qubits to store their 0 and 1 states in physically separate locations, making it less likely for environmental disturbances to accidentally flip their values. It’s an approach that combines fundamental physics with practical engineering and it may pave the way for longer-lasting, more reliable quantum processors.

Building better qubits from the ground up

The project will proceed through a combination of design, simulation, fabrication and testing. Gyenis and his team will explore novel circuit designs using numerical tools, fabricate quantum chips at CU Boulder’s NSF-supported National Quantum Nanofab facility and perform measurements at ultra-low temperatures—just a fraction above absolute zero.

“We’ll likely go through many iterations,” Gyenis said. “We’re taking a co-design approach: each round of measurements feeds back into the design to improve performance step by step.”

The team will also investigate active Fourier qubits—circuits whose error protection comes from oscillating external parameters. The long-term goal is to demonstrate scalable quantum hardware with built-in robustness, forming a foundation for future superconducting quantum processors.

Training the next generation of quantum engineers

In addition to cutting-edge research, Gyenis’ award supports a comprehensive education and outreach program aimed at expanding quantum engineering at CU Boulder. That includes developing new classes and connecting students to hands-on projects in quantum circuit design and fabrication.

“Quantum education has historically focused on physics students, but today’s challenges require an engineering mindset too,” Gyenis said. “We need to train students not just in quantum theory, but in the real-world design of quantum systems.”

His curriculum will emphasize engineering principles like device layout, signal control, nanofabrication and systems integration. Students will also explore classical analogs of Fourier qubits—mechanical systems that mimic quantum behavior—to build intuition and bridge gaps between disciplines.

A future powered by quantum solutions

While still an emerging field, quantum computing has potential applications that span far beyond science labs. With more robust hardware, these systems could one day help researchers simulate complex molecules for drug development, improve climate models, enable artificial photosynthesis and solve key challenges in cybersecurity and logistics.

“The work we’re doing could benefit fields as varied as healthcare, energy and national security,” Gyenis said. “But just as important, it will help grow a quantum-ready workforce.”

“I’m excited to pursue research that pushes the frontier of quantum hardware, while helping to build a strong quantum engineering program,” he said. “This award allows us to do both—and to do it in a way that’s accessible for the next generation of engineers.”

Andras Gyenis, assistant professor of electrical engineering, has earned a CAREER award through the National Science Foundation to design and build more robust superconducting qubits that could push the boundaries of quantum hardware.

Off

Traditional

White

Quantum Scholar’s journey into the future of computing

Charles Ferrer — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:04:31 +0000

Quantum Scholar’s journey into the future of computing Charles Ferrer Mon, 06/09/2025 - 08:04

Charles Ferrer

Dr. Andras Gyenis, assistant professor; Arjun Dalwadi, undergraduate researcher; and Pablo Aramburu Sanchez, graduate mentor, in the Gyenis Quantum Lab, which focuses on protected semi and superconducting qubits. (Credit: Jesse Petersen)

For most high school students, late-night scrolling on Instagram leads to memes or music clips.

But for Arjun Dalwadi, a rising third-year electrical and computer engineering student, it led down a different rabbit hole: quantum computing.

Quantum computers could solve complex problems in minutes that would take classical computers decades.

Dalwadi’s curiosity from that Instagram scroll has followed him in his quest to immerse himself in all things quantum.

“CU Boulder has been an incredible place to explore quantum and all it has to offer,” he said. “You’re surrounded by faculty members and students who want you to grow and give you the opportunity to contribute in real ways to the field.”

Like many incoming engineering students, he considered mechanical or aerospace engineering—fields with already visible, well-known career paths. However, Dalwadi soon realized that electrical and computer engineering could offer a broader foundation, touching everything from space exploration to digital security and quantum.

“Electrical and computer engineering have applications in every industry, including the very technologies that quantum systems depend on and the design and operation of quantum systems themselves.”

Building a quantum-ready workforce

Today, more than 3,000 Colorado workers are employed in the quantum workforce, supporting over 30 companies that span quantum sensing, networking and computing.

That movement is only gaining momentum, with job growth in quantum expected to reach 30,000 in the next decade in the Mountain West.

As the industry grows, so does the need for engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs trained in the challenges and opportunities that quantum presents.

“Quantum engineering is a rapidly growing field, so we need engineers and scientists with solid quantum knowledge to work in this area,” said András Gyenis, an assistant professor in electrical engineering and one of Dalwadi’s research mentors.

“Quantum is very different from classical physics,” Gyenis explained. “Getting used to the concepts and building intuition as early as possible is critical for students so that they can become part of a strong quantum-ready workforce.”

He believes that undergraduate research experience is one of the best ways to achieve that.

Pushing the boundaries in quantum research

Dalwadi loads a chip onto the "puck," which has the cavity necessary to support the quantum electrodynamic properties of the on-chip devices. (Credit: Jesse Petersen)

In fall 2024, Dalwadi joined Gyenis’s research group, which focuses on quantum hardware and the development of more stable, coherent quantum devices. The lab explores superconducting qubits—tiny circuits etched into a superconducting material that behave like an artificial atom. When multiple qubits are combined onto a chip, they can interact with each other and we can operate multi-qubit gates, creating a quantum processor.

“Our projects are at the intersection of quantum materials and quantum information science,” Gyenis said. “By improving how qubits behave and interact, we’re working toward systems that are not only powerful, but reliable enough for real-world use.”

Dalwadi is designing a new sample holder for testing superconducting qubits inside a dilution refrigerator—an advanced system that cools experiments down to just a few millikelvin, a thousand times colder than outer space, to allow the chip to become superconductive and protect the delicate quantum system from thermal noise.

“It’s such a wild environment,” Dalwadi said. “You’re working with temperatures near absolute zero to isolate these artificial atoms and preserve the quantum state.”

He compared a qubit’s sensitivity to a wiffle ball precariously balanced on top of a thin, tall pole, teetering and vulnerable to the slightest disturbance.

“The slightest gust of wind could knock the wiffle ball off, and it would be impossible to replace it on the pole in the exact position it was in before it was knocked off. That’s what happens if a qubit is uncontrollably perturbed by the environment—the quantum information is lost,” he explained.

Dalwadi dispatches the old sample holder from the dilution fridge to replace it with the new assembly. (Credit: Jesse Petersen)

This is why shielding qubits from environmental noise is so critical, especially from electromagnetic interference. Dalwadi noted that the operating frequencies of superconducting qubits are close to those of everyday wireless technologies, such as Bluetooth and cellular networks, making them especially prone to unintended coupling with stray radio waves.

The new sample holder Dalwadi is developing addresses some of the limitations of the lab’s previous design. Notably, it allows researchers to test more devices in a single cooldown cycle—a process that can take days. With the ability to connect up to 12 signal lines, compared to just four in the old design, the updated holder can support multi-qubit chips.

“For example, one qubit might need a drive line, a readout line and a flux bias line—that’s already three lines,” Dalwadi said. “The new design allows us to pack more versatility into each experiment and examine more qubits per cooldown cycle.”

Dalwadi’s work spans RF engineering, printed circuit board (PCB) design, CAD modeling, precision manufacturing and collaboration with graduate students and postdocs to meet experimental needs with optimal performance in a robust, compact assembly.

“Arjun has done a fantastic job as an undergraduate researcher in my lab. He demonstrates exceptional independent problem-solving skills, learning new software skills and studying scientific papers,” Gyenis said. “Even when he saw certain engineering problems for the first time, he did his own research and kept going until he found the solution.”

Early research, big opportunities

Dalwadi’s research experience is made possible through CU Engineering’s �鶹��Ƶy Learning Apprenticeship (DLA) program, which allows undergraduates to gain meaningful research experience alongside faculty mentors.

“I never imagined I’d be contributing to actual quantum experiments this early,” Dalwadi said. “It’s made me more confident in the idea that I can have a career in quantum.”

And he’s not just focused on the hardware. In high school, he wrote an essay on the looming impact of quantum computing on encryption and cybersecurity, topics that are becoming more urgent as quantum processors grow in power.

“Our current internet security is predicated on problems that are near-impossible for classical computers to solve. RSA2048, for example, would take a classical computer trillions of years to break with a brute force attack,” he said. “But a 20-million-qubit quantum computer could theoretically crack RSA2048 in just eight hours. That’s unimaginable computational power.”

Quantum community and vision for the future

Dalwadi’s ongoing fascination with the quantum world led him to apply and join the Quantum Scholars, a program at CU Boulder that supports undergraduate students interested in quantum research and education.

Quantum is going to be everywhere—finance, pharma, energy and even weather forecasting. We need scientists and researchers who can bridge the gap between the theory and the real-world implementation.”

Arjun Dalwadi, electrical & computer engineering student

As a scholar, Dalwadi receives mentorship, professional development and monthly community events where students explore the real-world impact of quantum science. The program introduces scholars to mentors, alumni and industry professionals who are shaping the future of quantum. Hearing directly from researchers at Colorado-based startups who are front and center of quantum technologies is something that Dalwadi notes as invaluable.

“It’s been amazing to connect with other students and scientists who are just as excited about quantum,” he said. “You don’t feel like you’re exploring something niche or isolated. You’re part of an exciting scientific community.”

Looking ahead, Dalwadi hopes to pursue a PhD in quantum information science, focusing on hybrid classical-quantum systems.

One area he’s especially passionate about is quantum computing’s potential in drug discovery and molecular modeling, fields where classical computers often struggle to simulate the complex interactions between atoms and molecules. Quantum computing, he explained, could dramatically accelerate research timelines, therefore reducing the years needed for drug development and clinical trials.

“To me, it’s not just a computational leap, but it’s the potential to save lives and make healthcare more accessible,” Dalwadi said.

“Engineers work to solve problems and make life better for everyone. Quantum is just the next step in that mission. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for a world propelled by quantum technologies.”

Arjun Dalwadi, a third-year electrical and computer engineering student, is immersing himself in all things quantum through the Quantum Scholars program and as an undergraduate researcher in the Gyenis Lab. Dalwadi is on the journey to make an impact for quantum computing.

Off

Traditional

White

ECEE hosting interdisciplinary control & autonomy workshop

Charles Ferrer — Fri, 30 May 2025 18:10:54 +0000

ECEE hosting interdisciplinary control & autonomy workshop Charles Ferrer Fri, 05/30/2025 - 12:10

The Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering will be hosting a Rocky Mountain Workshop on Control and Autonomy in partnership with CU Colorado Springs on July 11. Join us for a one-day workshop designed to spark connections and collaboration among control scientists and engineers across Colorado and beyond.

Off

Traditional

White

Bri-Mathias Hodge to explore geothermal energy development in Colorado

Charles Ferrer — Fri, 30 May 2025 17:57:03 +0000

Bri-Mathias Hodge to explore geothermal energy development in Colorado Charles Ferrer Fri, 05/30/2025 - 11:57

Professor Bri-Mathias Hodge’s team received a New Frontiers grant by CU Boulder to explore the technological and social dimensions of geothermal energy development in Colorado. Hodge is collaborating with Shae Frydenlund from the Center for Asian Studies on this project.

Off

Traditional

White

Professor Emeritus Russell Hayes remembered for contributions to research and mentorship

Charles Ferrer — Tue, 13 May 2025 21:43:28 +0000

Professor Emeritus Russell Hayes remembered for contributions to research and mentorship Charles Ferrer Tue, 05/13/2025 - 15:43

Charles Ferrer

Russell Everett Hayes

Russell Everett Hayes, a beloved faculty member and professor emeritus in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering (ECEE), died on February 9, 2025. He was 89. A private memorial will be held in early-June.

Hayes joined the CU Boulder faculty in 1963 after completing his PhD in electrical engineering at Stanford University. Over the course of more than 35 years, he helped shape the department’s graduate program and mentored students and colleagues through his research and teaching. He retired in 1999 and remained connected to the department as an active emeritus professor.

Hayes’ research focused on the physics of semiconductor devices, particularly for microwave, optical and solar energy applications, areas that laid important foundations for both the digital age and the advancement of energy technologies.

“Russ was often ahead of his time,” said Professor Emeritus Frank Barnes, who hired Hayes in the early-1960s. “I remember talking with him about building 3D semiconductor devices long before industry caught on. He was looking into these problems in the 1990s or earlier, and now, decades later, technologies like these are critical to making artificial intelligence possible.”

Barnes, a former department chair, also described Hayes as instrumental in building the culture and reputation of the department.

“He helped me build the kind of faculty I wanted the department to grow around,” Barnes said. “Russell’s presence helped establish an environment at ECEE that allowed us to recruit top senior faculty and build something special.”

Throughout his career, Hayes published more than 40 research papers and completed prestigious fellowships at institutions such as Cornell University and the Royal Radar Establishment in England. He once described his work as being “on the physics end of electrical engineering.”

“He was right at the frontier of the field,” Barnes recalled. “We went from point-contact transistors to devices on chip and then to integrated circuits. It was a very dynamic time in electrical engineering and Russ was right in the middle of it.”

Barnes also shared a unique story that captured Hayes’ dedication to his students.

“When I was department chair, I received a letter from a student Russ had failed in a course. Instead of complaining, the student thanked him,” Barnes said. “Russ had spent time helping him, working with him and trying to help him understand the material. He didn’t lower his standards, but he genuinely cared. That kind of commitment is rare.”

Hayes was equally admired as a teacher and mentor. He advised numerous graduate students, including now-professor Bart Van Zeghbroeck and former IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society president James Crescenzi. His mentorship had a lasting impact on their careers and on the department as a whole.

“Russ was my mentor, benefactor and friend,” Van Zeghbroeck said. “He was one of the big influences in my life and a major factor in my leaving IBM and joining CU in 1990. I will never forget him.”

Distinguished Professor Zoya Popovic remembers Hayes as the first person to welcome her to the department when she joined.

“Russell was a wonderful colleague, who was honest and wise with advice,” Popovic said.

“We had many fun technical conversations related to electromagnetics and semiconductors and Russell was always curious. He loved doing anything outdoors and enjoyed a good glass of wine with friends.”

Distinguished Professor Dragan Maksimovic echoed these sentiments, describing Hayes as “a model scientist, engineer, teacher and colleague and was an exceptional leader who was always willing to listen, offering thoughtful insights and providing constructive guidance.”

Even in retirement, Hayes maintained close ties with former colleagues. His farewell message to the department in 1999 concluded with the simple but powerful line: “Please take care of our department: it is a special place.”

Outside of his academic career, Hayes lived life fully and adventurously. A passionate mountaineer and environmentalist, he was active in the Colorado Mountain Club, serving as president and teaching in the club’s mountaineering school. He also contributed to local conservation efforts as a member of the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee.

Above all, Hayes is remembered not only for his technical contributions, but also for his generosity, integrity and warmth.

As Professor Emeritus Garret Moddel reflected, “Russell was a special person. Those of us who had the privilege to spend time with him will miss him.”

Russell Hayes, professor emeritus, remembered for microwave and optical research and mentorship with the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering at CU Boulder.

Off

Traditional

White

First MS-EE on Coursera Graduate: Matt Daiter's Story

Rossette Reid — Tue, 06 May 2025 18:44:48 +0000

First MS-EE on Coursera Graduate: Matt Daiter's Story Rossette Reid Tue, 05/06/2025 - 12:44

No Undergrad, No Problem — How Matt Daiter Earned His CU Boulder MSEE Online

Matt Daiter became the first graduate of CU Boulder's online MS-EE on Coursera program without needing a traditional application process. He valued the program's flexibility, stating

"You can choose your own path, you can set your own rules, and you can just go into these niche areas that you really want to explore."

His success demonstrates how performance-based admissions opens doors for motivated students regardless of their academic background.

For more information, read the blog.

No Undergrad, No Problem — How Matt Daiter Earned His CU Boulder MSEE Online

Off

Traditional

White

As AI explosion threatens progress on climate change, these researchers are seeking solutions

Charles Ferrer — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 18:40:11 +0000

As AI explosion threatens progress on climate change, these researchers are seeking solutions Charles Ferrer Mon, 04/21/2025 - 12:40

Bri-Mathias Hodge, professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering and Kyri Baker, associate professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, suggest that if future data centers are placed in the right location and equipped with energy storage technologies, they can run on 100 percent clean energy.

Off

Traditional

White

Quantum technique could transform remote sensing, infrastructure monitoring

Charles Ferrer — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 19:14:11 +0000

Quantum technique could transform remote sensing, infrastructure monitoring Charles Ferrer Wed, 04/16/2025 - 13:14

Charles Ferrer

A team of CU Boulder researchers has introduced a quantum sensing technique that could lead to improvements in how we monitor infrastructure, detect changes in the environment and conduct geophysical studies.

Led by Juliet Gopinath, Alfred T. and Betty E. Look Endowed Professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, and physics doctoral student Gregory Krueper, the team used a quantum mechanics technique known as cascaded phase sensing, which enables a single sensor to measure multiple variables with extraordinary precision.

Current sensors typically measure temperature, strain or vibrations at a single point, limiting their effectiveness for large-scale monitoring. The new technique published in Physical Review A employs pulses of “squeezed” light—a quantum state that reduces measurement uncertainty beyond classical limits—to collect data from multiple locations along a single optical path.

A new era of sensing technology

Graduate students Sara Moore and Greg Krueper with Professor Juliet Gopinath.

The team’s breakthrough stems from an unexpected challenge.

Optical fiber sensors, which are widely used for monitoring infrastructure and environmental changes, often lose more than 99% of their original probe light, making it seem impossible to integrate quantum techniques. However, Gopinath and the research group found inspiration in two key sources.

“Gravitational wave detectors have successfully used quantum-enhanced light to improve their sensitivity,” Krueper said. “At the same time, recent advancement in classical fiber sensing introduced a method to divide the fiber into separate regions with embedded reflectors. By combining these ideas, and by collecting both reflected and transmitted light, we were able to make a distributed fiber quantum sensor.”

Their approach sends a series of quantum-enhanced light pulses through an optical fiber, using strategically placed reflectors to divide the fiber into distinct measurement zones.

Unlike traditional sensors that measure only one variable at a time, this method allows a single fiber to simultaneously capture precise data from multiple locations.

“By leveraging quantum mechanics, our method enables simultaneous, high-precision measurements at different points along a single sensor,” Gopinath said. “This could greatly improve applications like infrastructure integrity monitoring and environmental sensing.”

While the results are promising, a major hurdle remains: the quantum light source.

Current setups are large and costly. The next step for their research is to develop a portable, chip-based version of the light source, similar to the photonic technology found in modern smartphones. This advancement would pave the way for practical quantum sensors that can be used in the field.

Applications in environmental, geophysical sensing and infrastructure monitoring

Monitoring infrastructure—such as bridges, tunnels and pipelines—currently relies on traditional sensors placed at specific points to track structural health. These methods can be limited in scope and fail to provide a real-time, comprehensive view of an entire structure.

Cascaded phase sensing, as this project explored, addressed this gap by allowing a single optical fiber-based sensor to monitor multiple locations along its length with extreme precision. This continuous, high-resolution data collection could detect tiny vibrations or structural instabilities in real time.

Such advancements would allow engineers to proactively address maintenance needs, prevent failures and extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure, ultimately improving public safety and reducing costs.

The technique also has implications for environmental monitoring and geophysical studies. By placing sensors in natural settings, researchers could track subtle changes in temperature, pressure or seismic activity with unprecedented accuracy. This could improve early detection of earthquakes, monitor groundwater movement or study underground structures without invasive drilling.

According to Gopinath, this work represents a new paradigm for quantum sensing that could start an entire field of study.

“Many practical opportunities present themselves, ranging from neuroscience to seismic studies to energy infrastructure,” Gopinath said. “The work can provide a powerful method for sensitive remote sensing using quantum light and optical fibers.”

Off

Traditional

White