Seminar Series

  • Time: Thursday, 12:50PM - 1:50 PM
  • Location: NWSE 102 (unless otherwise noted)
  • Food: Lunch is served at 12:20 pm
  • The 2011-2012 seminar series is supervised by Prof. John Spinelli

 

Winter 2012 Schedule

Prof. Takashi Buma, Union College

Abstract: Biomedical imaging systems using light and ultrasound are attractive for their fine spatial resolution, real-time image display, and portability. This seminar describes some of the on-going efforts in the Biomedical Ultrasonics & Biophotonics Laboratory (BUBL) at Union College. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging technology for applications in ophthalmology, dermatology, and cardiology. Cross-sectional images are obtained by laterally scanning a focused optical beam across the region of interest while using an interferometer to detect the backscattered light. Depth information is obtained by processing the interference fringes in the detected signals. Our previous work applied OCT to visualize fingertip features below the skin surface for biometric applications. A current project is a collaboration with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, where we will perform 3-D OCT imaging to help study the biomechanics of heart tube looping in a developing chick embryo. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) is a high frequency ultrasound imaging technique with applications in ophthalmology and developmental biology. Transducer arrays are required to produce fully focused images over a wide field of view. However, UBM arrays have been extremely difficult to fabricate with conventional piezoelectric technology. We are exploring highly populated sensor arrays based on optoacoustics, where ultrasound is detected with optical techniques. This project involves all aspects of the imaging system, ranging from transmitter and sensor fabrication to video-rate image reconstruction with a graphics processing unit (GPU).

Bio: Dr. Takashi Buma received his B.S.E. in Electrical Engineering with a certificate in Engineering Physics from Princeton University in 1995. He received his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from the University of Michigan in 2002, where his research in the Biomedical Ultrasonics Laboratory explored techniques to generate and receive high frequency ultrasound. He then joined the Center for Ultrafast Optical Science at the University of Michigan to perform research in time-domain terahertz imaging systems. He was an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Delaware before joining Union College in the fall of 2011. His research interests include photoacoustic microscopy, device and systems development for high frequency ultrasound imaging, optical coherence tomography, and time-domain terahertz imaging.

 

Dr. Andrew Leach, GE Global Research

Abstract: Hyperpolarization technology enables magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to expand beyond anatomical imaging to measure the metabolism within tissue. This new capability may revolutionize the detection and treatment of disease through the measurement of changes in local cellular chemistry in its early stages. Real‐time imaging of cellular metabolism will enhance diagnostic capabilities in the fields of oncology, cardiology and neurology as well as enable personalized treatment through the measurement of patient response to therapies. This technique relies on a suite of new molecular agents based on endogenous molecules that can probe the natural metabolic pathways of human physiology.

This presentation will discuss the state‐of‐the‐art in hyperpolarization technology as well as recent developments towards the production of a polarizer system that is compatible with clinical use. Primary concerns are patient and operator safety, performance of the method, as well as operator convenience. A polarizer of novel design has been successfully built and tested. The polarizer differs from those previously used in that it is designed with capabilities required for future clinical use.

Bio: Dr. Andrew Leach is originally from Rochester, New York. He holds a B.S. degree in chemistry from Union College, Ph.D. in chemistry from Indiana University, and he completed an NIH post‐doctoral fellowship at Stanford University where he focused on miniaturized chemical and biological detection systems that included microfluidics. Andrew is currently Manager of the Chemical Sensing Laboratory at GE Global Research Center, an organization that focuses on development of chemical measurement devices and methods to extend process knowledge, increase product performance and robustness, enhance customer experience, and improve patient diagnoses and treatments. Andrew has published over 30 manuscripts in peer reviewed journals and books, authored 25 internal GE reports, and been granted 10 US patents.

  • Jan 26: Digital Image Forensics: There is More to a Picture Than Meets the Eye

Dr. Siwei Lyu, University at Albany

Abstract: The past decade has witnessed remarkable advances in digital image processing and computational photography, resulting in sophisticated image-editing software systems. The ease of digital image manipulation has also posed many new challenges. In particular, digital images have become more vulnerable to malicious tampering compared to their non-digital counterparts. This circumstance galvanized rapid developments of research in digital image forensics.

In this talk, I will focus on my recent works in detecting several types of digital image tampering operations, including: a) region duplication, where regions in the same image are copied, transformed, and pasted to new locations to conceal the original image; b) image splicing, where regions from an image are pasted into a different image; and c) photographic vs. photorealistic detection, where the task is to differentiate a real photograph from an image made from computer graphics software.

The unifying theme of these techniques is to use statistical analysis of normal natural photographic image signals to show abnormalities of tampered images. I will describe the mathematical and algorithmic aspects of these methods, and demonstrate their effectiveness on realistic image forgeries.

Bio: Siwei Lyu is Assistant Professor at the Computer Science Department of the University at Albany. His scientific expertise include natural image statistics, computational visual neural science, digital image forensics, machine learning, and computer vision.

 

Dr. Robert C. Smith, Ph.D. and P.E.

Abstract: Many manufacturing industries that provide us with the essentials of our civilized society use chemically-intensive processes that must be carefully and precisely controlled. To that end, a host of measurements are required to continuously gauge such process variables as pressure, flow, temperature, and density. This lecture will provide an introduction to some of the measurement principles and equipment involved in these control strategies, and will briefly address the processing of this data to accomplish the control.

Bio: Dr. Robert C. Smith has worked as an electrical and instrumentation engineer in the pulp and paper, electric power, engineering forensics industries, as well as an associate professor of electronic engineering technology. He holds engineering degrees from the Universities of Maine and New Hampshire, as well as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His research has included the use of neural networks for structural vibration control and the introduction of nanometer-scale inorganic fillers in polyethylene for use as dielectric materials. He is active in the IEEE, especially the Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Society, and is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of New Hampshire.

Your resume is among your most important tools for obtaining the job or internship you want. Come hear tips to help make your resume shine. Bring an electronic copy with you so that you can improve it during the workshop. We will begin with some general tips and suggestions and then walk around the room and help students with their resumes.

Dr. Bob Soules (Director of the Union College Becker Career Center)

Dr. Cherrice Traver (Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering)

 

Fall 2011 Schedule

Dr. Josh Haines (MIT Lincoln Labs)

Abstract: I will begin by describing a survivable system's approach to countering cyber attacks. Then I will describe two active research topics: 1) "Mission mapping" in which we attempt to find automated ways to identify the critical cyber resources utilized in performing specific mission or business tasks, and 2) "Trustworthy Dynamic Systems" where we couple trustworthy systems approaches with dynamic 'moving target' techniques at the application and operating systems level.

Bio: Mr. Joshua W. Haines is an Assistant Group Leader in the Cyber Systems and Technology Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. He is responsible for managing research and development of technology and systems in support of national cyber missions including computer network defense, attack, and exploitation. Focus areas include system analysis, architecture engineering for robustness and security, development of network-centric cyber systems, automated analysis of network vulnerabilities, red-teaming of DoD programs, and development & deployment of traffic generation and test development for test range environments. Prior to that Josh was the Chief Engineer for the Transformational Satellite Communications Program at the Air Force Space and Missile System Center. Josh received his M.S. from University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1999 and his B.S. from Union College in 1995.

 

Dr. Mark Skolnik (Exxon Mobil)

Bio: Mark Skolnik, BSEE Union Class of '76 recently retired after a 35 year career with ExxonMobil. In his most recent capacity, Mark was a Senior Executive in Refining and Supply, responsible for global merger and acquisitions (M&A) activities for the Downstream, primarily sales of refining, distribution and marketing businesses around the world. Mark practiced electrical engineering for 3 years post Union College until deciding to earn an MBA from U. of Penn. Wharton School in 1981, after which he joined Mobil Oil Corporation. Post MBA, he pursued more business related opportunities within ExxonMobil, which is now the most profitable corporation in the U.S. Mark strongly believes that the knowledge and discipline developed in pursuing an engineering degree produced the requisite skills necessary to succeed in business. He is happy to share his views on where an engineering degree can and should take you.

  • Oct 27: Senior Projects (Student presentations)
  • Oct 20: Senior Projects (Student presentations)

Thomas Tongue (Zomega Terahertz Corporation)

Abstract: The "Terahertz Gap" occupies a unique place in the EM spectrum as the transition from classical electrodynamics (RF, mm-wave) to quantum mechanics for both generation and detection. Recently, techniques from both the mm-wave and far-infrared have pushed to close this gap, and commercial applications for THz waves are now being actively explored. THz Time Domain Spectroscopy (TDS) is one common technique that has been applied for both non-destructive testing and material characterization at short stand-off distances. With the advent of real-time THz TDS capabilities, imaging has become an important frontier for THz applications, especially in inspection and process control. However, software algorithms and data processing for these images is still in its infancy, and represents an opportunity for further improvement in system performance. This talk will provide an overview of THz techniques, focusing on THz TDS and its application to imaging and highlighting important areas where software needs to catch up to the challenges of such information-rich data.

Bio: Thomas Tongue is a serial entrepreneur and CEO of Zomega Terahertz Corporation. His background in Physics combined with his MBA provide him with a unique perspective that bridges the technical and management aspects of running an emerging technology company.

Becker Career Center Room 201

Abstract: Global Foundries, the world’s third largest independent semiconductor foundry, is building a major IC chip manufacturing plant less than 20 miles from Union College. Using 300 mm wafers and a feature size of less than 28 nm, it will be among the most advanced fabrication facilities in the world. Opening in 2012, the plant will eventually employ over 1500 people.

Bio: Pedro Gonzales, University Relations Manager, will present information about Global Foundries, their technological challenges, and the resulting opportunities for talented students.

Three invited guests will lead a panel discussion on options and strategies for ECE students to work toward a graduate degree. Some graduate schools have early winter deadlines, so now is the time to start planning.

Prof. Takashi Buma from ECE will discuss options for master’s and doctoral programs around the country and the world.

Dean Robert Kozik from the Union Graduate College will discuss master’s programs available here at Union.

Prof. Maggie Tongue from Union will discuss options for fellowships and scholarships to help pay for graduate school.

Abstract: Facial expression recognition remains a challenging problem especially when the face is partially corrupted or occluded. I will describe a new classification method, termed Sparse Representation based Classification (SRC), that is applied to accurately recognize expressions. A test vector is representable as a linear combination of vectors from its own class and so its representation as a linear combination of all available training vectors is sparse. Efficient methods have been developed in the area of compressed sensing to recover this sparse representation. SRC gives state of the art performance on clean and noise corrupted images matching the recognition rate obtained using Gabor based features. When test images are occluded, SRC improves significantly on the performance obtained using Gabor features.

Come to this first ECE seminar of the year to meet faculty and students, to learn about ECE student organizations, and to hear about our plans for events and seminars this year.