Preston M. Green Department of
Electrical & Systems Engineering
What’s inside Research Areas..........................................................................................2 ESE Students..............................................................................................3 Research News..........................................................................................4 Faculty News..............................................................................................6 Student News.............................................................................................7
Research Areas Applied Physics
Combining a deep knowledge of physics with creative engineering to extend the frontiers of sensing, imaging and computation. Meet the faculty: Shantanu Chakrabartty, Mark Lawrence, Matthew Lew, Aravind Nagulu, Jung-Tsung Shen, Lan Yang
Devices & Circuits
Innovations in devices and circuits: Pioneering breakthroughs in IC design, bioinstrumentation, nanoelectronics, soft electronics, and more. Meet the faculty: Shantanu Chakrabartty, Aravind Nagulu, Chuan Wang
Signals & Imaging
Exploring Signals & Imaging: Bridging theory and practice in cuttingedge research. Meet the faculty: Ulugbek Kamilov, Joseph O’Sullivan, Neal Patwari, Bruno Sinopoli
Systems Science
Systems engineering is the field of specialization within engineering that uses advanced mathematical methods to model physical systems and to develop techniques for system optimization and control. Systems engineers are experts at analyzing complex systems and effectively coordinating their many different components. Meet the faculty: Xudong Chen, ShiNung Ching, Andrew Clark, Ioannis (Yiannis) Kantaros, Jr-Shin Li, Bruno Sinopoli, Shen Zeng
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Dear colleagues, The mission of the Preston M. Green Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis is to foster a dynamic and innovative learning environment that prepares students to excel in the ever-evolving fields of electrical engineering and systems science. By cultivating a deep understanding of fundamental principles, we encourage creative problem-solving and interdisciplinary collaboration through excellence in education and outstanding service. Students within ESE are equipped to address the complex challenges of the modern technological landscape through cutting-edge research initiatives and comprehensive curriculum. With an emphasis on balancing between theoretical foundations and practical applications, the Electrical & Systems Engineering department strives to produce graduates who are proficient engineers, critical thinkers and leaders who make meaningful contributions to society. Bruno Sinopoli Das Family Distinguished Professor and Department Chair
ESE Students 136 161 73
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
MASTER’S STUDENTS
PHD STUDENTS
FALL 2023 (OPEN PROGRAMS)
27%
100%
4:1
OF ESE STUDENTS ARE WOMEN
OF PHD STUDENTS ARE FULLY-FUNDED
PHD STUDENTS TO TENURED/ TENURE-TRACK FACULTY
Where do our recent undergraduates go?
Top Companies: • Aarete • Analytic Partners • AT&T • The Boeing Co. • Burns & McDonnell Engineering • Deloitte Consulting LLP • Forefront Power • Houlihan Lokey • KPMG LLP • LEK Consulting
• Liquid Robotics • Mastercard • MKEC Engineering Inc • NOBULL • Northrop Grumman Corp. • Seagate Technology
Internships: (Pre- and Post-Grad)
85% Entered the Workforce
6% Continuing Education
9% Volunteer, Other
• AArete • Alabama Power • Ameren • Anheuser-Busch Cos. • AT&T • The Boeing Co. • Burns & McDonnell • Hightower Advisors • Houlihan Lokey • Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• KPMG LLP • LOCKHEED MARTIN • MARSFarm • Maryville Consulting Group • NOBULL • Tallyfy • The Spaceship Co. • Valley Solar LLC • Whistle Recruiting LLC
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RESEARCH NEWS Quantum tunneling to boost memory consolidation in AI
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed an energy-efficient method for consolidating long-term memories on a tiny chip, addressing a key challenge in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Led by Shantanu Chakrabartty, the team created a device that mimics the dynamics of the brain’s synapses, allowing AI systems to continuously learn new tasks without forgetting old ones. The artificial synapses use Fowler-Nordheim (FN) quantum tunneling, a more energy-efficient method than existing approaches, providing a simple and precise connection controlled up to a single electron. The prototype array of 128 devices on a millimeter-sized chip demonstrates near-optimal synaptic lifetime and consolidation properties, enabling both long- and short-term memory on the same device. Chakrabartty emphasizes that the device’s low energy consumption is crucial for sustainability in AI, contrasting with current models that shuttle large quantities of electrons, leading to high energy usage. The new model fixes the total amount of electrons beforehand, allowing the device to work for extended periods without additional energy injection. This research aligns with broader efforts to make AI more sustainable, as the energy demand for current AI computations grows exponentially. The researchers propose that using energy-efficient, dynamic-memory devices like their artificial synapse may be essential to tackle the challenges of training large AI models in the future, as current approaches are not deemed energy-sustainable for the increasing demands of these systems. Shantanu Chakrabartty, the Clifford W. Murphy Professor and vice dean for research and graduate education, and graduate students Mustafizur Rahman and Subhankar Bose published in Frontiers in Neuroscience. Jan. 13, 2023. Read the full article here.
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Preterm births could be predicted at around 31 weeks’ gestation, new model shows Researchers at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis are making strides in predicting preterm births using deep learning to analyze electrical activity during pregnancy. Preterm birth affects nearly 10% of pregnancies globally, and rates are increasing. Arye Nehorai, the Eugene & Martha Lohman Professor of Electrical Engineering in the Preston M. Green Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering, and Uri Goldsztejn, who earned a master’s and a doctorate in biomedical engineering from Washington University in 2020 and 2022, respectively, developed a model that predicts preterm births as early as 31 weeks of pregnancy. The method utilizes electrohysterogram measurements and clinical information, achieving performance comparable to clinical standards for detecting imminent labor in women with symptoms of preterm labor. The researchers employed electrohysterograms (EHG), a noninvasive technique detecting uterine electrical activity through electrodes on the abdomen. Their deep learning model was trained on data from 159 pregnant women at least 26 weeks’ gestation, combining EHG data with clinical information. The deep neural network achieved superior performance, outperforming other methods and providing an effective way to predict preterm births. The study marks the first method to predict preterm births as early as 31 weeks using EHG measurements with clinically useful accuracy. Notably, the research found that higher frequency components of EHG measurements were more predictive of preterm births, and the model was effective with shorter EHG recordings. The potential ease of use and costeffectiveness in clinical and possibly home settings make this approach promising. Preterm birth is considered an abnormal physiological condition, and physiological measurements like EHG recordings may offer a stronger indication of pregnancy outcomes. The researchers plan to develop a device for recording EHG measurements and collect data from a larger cohort of pregnant women to refine and validate their predictive method. This advancement holds significant promise in improving early detection and intervention for preterm births, potentially improving outcomes for mothers and infants. Arye Nehorai, the Eugene & Martha Lohman Emeritus Professor of Electrical Engineering and Uri Goldsztejn published in PLoS One, May 11, 2023. Read the full article here.
Bias from pulse oximeters remains even if corrected by race, study finds A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis has highlighted significant biases in pulse oximeters, devices crucial for measuring oxygen levels in the blood and critical for measuring blood oxygen levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite existing knowledge that pulse oximeters can provide biased readings for individuals with dark skin, the study argues that race-based adjustments to hypoxemia thresholds are inadequate. The research, led by Neal Patwari, a professor of electrical and systems engineering, indicates that addressing bias requires fixing the oximeter itself, rather than applying race-corrected adjustments. The study, analyzing records of 139,000 ICU patients, reveals higher variance in pulse oximeter measurements for Black and Asian patients compared to white patients, emphasizing the need for unbiased devices.
Simple ballpoint pen can write custom LEDs Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, led by Associate Professor Chuan Wang, have developed ink pens that enable the creation of flexible, stretchable optoelectronic devices on everyday materials, such as paper, textiles, rubber, plastics, and 3D objects. The breakthrough allows individuals to handwrite custom light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodetectors without requiring specialized training or bulky equipment. Building on previous work demonstrating stretchable LEDs using an inkjet printer, the team adapted the technology for ballpoint pens filled with specially designed inks made of conductive polymers, metal nanowires, and crystalline materials called perovskites.
Pulse oximeters function by transmitting light through the body to measure oxygen levels in the blood. However, increased skin pigmentation can lead to inaccurate readings. The study also highlights the potential risk of health disparities, with Black patients at triple the risk of white patients for having their hypoxemia undetected by a pulse oximeter. While some have suggested subtracting bias as a function of race, the research indicates that no such adjustment would ensure equal detection of hypoxemia for Black patients compared to white patients. The study emphasizes the importance of further research, including obtaining data on patients’ skin color, to make progress toward unbiased pulse oximeters, crucial for accurate medical assessments and equitable healthcare outcomes. Neal Patwari, professor of electrical & systems engineering along with graduate student Di Huang in computer science and biomedical engineering student Francesca Bonetta-Misteli published in IEEE/ACM International Conference on Connected Health: Applications, Systems and Engineering Technologies (CHASE). June 21-23, 2023.
This innovative handwriting approach uses environmentally friendly inks to generate a wide spectrum of emission colors, enabling the creation of multicolor LEDs and photodetectors quickly and inexpensively. The pens work on various substrates, including porous and fibrous materials like paper and textiles, without smudging or mixing. The layers remain discrete, ensuring functional, high-performance optoelectronic devices. The technology overcomes limitations of traditional LED fabrication, opening avenues for nextgeneration wearable electronics to seamlessly integrate into daily life. Potential applications include educational purposes, light-up clothing, electronic packaging, and medical sensors, offering personalized flexibility in creating wearable biomedical sensors and bandages with drawn-on photodetectors and infrared LEDs for applications like pulse oximetry and wound healing. The researchers envision this method democratizing electronic manufacturing, making customized, stretchable electronic devices a ubiquitous part of everyday life. Chuan Wang, associate professor of electrical & systems engineering and graduate students Junyi Zhao, LiWei Lo and Zhibin Yu published Nature Photonics, Aug. 7, 2023.
Read the full article here.
Read the full article here.
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FACULTY NEWS Yang elected senior member of National Academy of Inventors
Lan Yang, the Edwin H. & Florence G. Skinner Professor in the Preston M. Green Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering, has been elected as a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). Recognized for her leadership in nanophotonics, Yang’s research focuses on siliconchip-based, ultra-high-
quality micro-resonators with applications in sensing, lasing, nonlinear optics, environmental monitoring, biomedical research, and communication. As the head of the Laboratory of Micro/Nano Photonics Research Group at McKelvey Engineering, Yang’s work is impactful in areas like biomedical devices, electronics, and biohazard detection devices. Last November, she was named one of the most highly cited researchers in the sciences in 2022 by the Institute for Scientific Information. Yang will be honored at the NAI’s annual meeting in June.
$7M
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R ES EA R C H EXP ENDI TU R ES FR OM FY 2023
FU LL-TI ME FACU LTY
49%
GR OW TH I N R ES EA R C H EXP ENDI TU R ES I N FY 2023
New systems & control faculty joins the department
Read the full article here.
New teaching faculty joins the department
Ben Wormleighton will join the McKelvey Engineering faculty in August 2023 as a lecturer. Currently a William Chauvenet Read the full article here.
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A FFI LI ATED FACU LTY
Postdoctoral Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the College of Arts & Sciences, Wormleighton’s research focuses on formative practices in STEM education and geometric problems related to theoretical physics. He aims to create environments where students can develop as rigorous and collaborative thinkers, using mathematics as a creative tool for inquiry. Wormleighton has published multiple papers and delivered more than 70 presentations on his work.
Xudong Chen joined the faculty at Washington University in St. Louis from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he was an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering. An affiliate faculty member in the Department of Applied Mathematics, Read the full article here.
Chen’s research focuses on control theory, stochastic processes, optimization, and graph theory. He applies these interests in modeling, analyzing, controlling, and estimating complex systems, particularly in the mathematical frameworks of ensemble control. Chen has received multiple accolades, including the 2021 Donald P. Eckman Award, an NSF CAREER Award in 2021, and the AFOSR Young Investigator Award in 2020. He has published more than 35 papers in peerreviewed journals and more than 30 conference papers.
Student NEWS Li named Newton R. and Sarah Louisa Glasgow Wilson Professor of Engineering
Jr-Shin Li, a professor of systems science & mathematics in the Preston M. Green Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering, has been honored with the Newton R. and Sarah Louisa Glasgow Wilson Professorship in Engineering. While receiving the title in 2021, the official installation ceremony was held May 4, 2023. Li’s research spans control, dynamical systems, optimization, learning, and data science, focusing on large-scale complex systems in physics, biology, neuroscience, medicine, public health, and complex networks. His transdisciplinary research program explores the fundamentals of systems science and mathematics, impacting diverse fields. Li is affiliated with programs in Computational & Systems Biology and Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology. Read the full article here.
Li’s contributions extend to the forefront of control systems, with applications in biomedical, biological, computational, health, and data sciences. Notable areas include seizure detection, brain stimulation, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging. Li, who earned a doctorate from Harvard University, has served as an associate editor for leading journals and received prestigious awards, including the NSF Career Award in 2008 and the AFOSR Young Investigator Award in 2010. His extensive research has garnered support from organizations like the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health. Li has also held visiting professorships globally and played key roles in conferences and distinguished lectureships. His impact is not only reflected in his research accomplishments but also in his recognition with an Outstanding Teaching Award in the Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering in 2015. The delayed ceremony highlights Li’s significant contributions and elevates his role in advancing interdisciplinary research and education in engineering.
Hodges receives geospatial diversity fellowship, Dean’s Select Fellowship after obtaining a bachelor’s degree. The fellowship provided opportunities to work directly with Bruno Sinopoli, chair of electrical & systems engineering, influencing her decision to pursue a PhD in systems science & mathematics.
Nia Hodges, a second-year master’s student in data analytics and statistics, received a Diversity Fellowship Award from the Taylor Geospatial Institute (TGI). This award, totaling $35,000 annually for up to four years, supports Hodges’ study and research. Hodges, who earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Jackson State University in 2022, initially joined the McKelvey School of Engineering on a Department Chair’s Master’s Research Fellowship. This program, designed to encourage students to pursue doctoral programs, led her to transition to a doctoral program in systems science & mathematics under the Dean’s Select Fellowship Program, with early admission and a bonus. The Chair’s Fellowship facilitated Hodges’ recruitment to WashU, and exposure to a research lab inspired her to consider a PhD, despite her initial plans for employment
While Hodges’ shift from computer science to systems engineering and geospatial studies is significant, her openness to learning new material and exploring beyond her comfort zone has impressed faculty. Jim Fehrer, teaching professor of electrical & systems engineering, commended her eagerness to understand foundational concepts and her willingness to adapt to new challenges. The Taylor Geospatial Institute, a collaborative research initiative across eight Midwest institutions, including WashU, aims to advance geospatial technology. Hodges, a graduate researcher in the lab of Nathan Jacobs, professor of computer science & engineering, focuses on computer vision techniques. Her research interests include urban resilience and smart cities, particularly within the realm of cyberphysical systems. Hodges emphasizes the importance of connecting lab work to her broader interests, expressing a desire to make practical improvements aligned with her dreams for impactful changes.
Read the full article here.
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