Research

RADLab (Robotics and Data) Laboratory Funded Research Overview

My lab's research interests lie in the area of optimal, multi-dimensional, data-driven decision-making, and gravitate towards finding solutions to problems that reside at the intersection of several seemingly unrelated fields. Sponsors of RADLab's research include the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Health (NIH), US Army, US Air Force, Office of Naval Research (ONR), Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Mathworks, and Drexel University's College of Engineering.

5 Grants from the US Army, US Air Force, and Lockheed Martin

These grants feature algorithmic and hardware research and development for safe operations of multiple small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (sUAVs), power systems, and Printed/Flexible Electronics.

Role: Principal Investigator

Internet of Things Pedagogical Ecosystem for Integrated Computer Science and Software Engineering Education for Grades 9-12

This project aims to develop, implement, and evaluate an Internet of Things (IoT) based educational curriculum and technology that provides grades 9-12 students with Computer Science (CS) and Software Engineering (SE) education.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Role: Principal Investigator

Sensing, Processing, and Actuation of Biomedical Smart Textiles for Deep Venous Thrombosis Prevention

This project will integrate smart fabric sensors and actuators into comfortable garment devices providing unobtrusive prevention options for deep venous thrombosis (DVT), that are not currently possible, particularly in high risk patients. In addition, robust and secure algorithms will process the data from these knit strain sensors, fuse it with other data from the patient's medical history and medical practitioner inputs, and enable actuated treatment remotely.
Sponsor: National Institute of Health Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)
Role: Co-Principal Investigator

A Cloud Enabled Virtual Reality Based Pedagogical Ecosystem

This grant will help develop, implement, and evaluate a novel, scalable and transferable virtual reality (VR) based pedagogical ecosystem that provides learners with the relevant skill training to address existing skilled worker shortage in the area of green energy and environmental engineering.
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Role: Principal Investigator

Sensor Fusion for Auxiliary Shipboard System

This SBIR grant will investigate several sensor fusion approaches for multiple shipboard auxiliary systems. It is spearheaded by TDI corporation in collaboration with Drexel and Temple Universities.
Sponsor: Office of Naval Research (ONR) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Role: Co-Investigator

Hypoxia Monitoring Alert and Mitigation System

This grant will develop and implement statistical data fusion and machine learning techniques for Hypoxia detection and mitigation.
Sponsor: Office of Naval Research (ONR )
Role: Co-Investigator

A data-driven approach to Glaucoma Management

This grant will develop an iOS app that helps patients manage their Glaucoma conditions by providing information and eye-drop reminders.
Sponsor: Wills Eye Research
Role: Principal-Investigator

Cognitive Human Robot Interaction (HRI)

Human-Robot Chess

This research explores the effects of cognitive biases on gameplay when average players play chess against a robotic system. The results of this research will inform the Human-Robot Interaction community of the potential cognitive effects of co-robots operating in workspaces shared with human operators.
Role: Principal Investigator
Sponsor: Drexel University College of Engineering

Multi-Vehicle Motion Planning and Mathematical Optimization

Robot Trifecta

This research explores the use of Nonlinear Programming (NLP) and Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) to plan the motion of underwater, aerial, and ground vehicles operating in the same workspace.
Role: Principal Investigator
Downloads:

AMPL Models: AMPL models for the ICRA paper are available here. These may be used for educational/illustration purposes.
MILANO Solver: MILANO is a Mixed Integer Linear and Nonlinear Optimizer. MATLAB version is available here.

Major Results: Extensive NLP and MINLP models for path coordination of multiple ground vehicles under communication connectivity constraints. First reported experimental validation of the MINLP framework.
Article about student engagement in this project: here

Sonic City - A city scale sonic landscape of Philadelphia

A truly multidisciplinary effort, Sonic City is a city-scale art and engineering project designed to engage the bus system as a creative interface for people to interactively engage the sounds of the city. Diverse neighborhoods of Philadelphia are connected through a sonic interface made up of real-time and recorded sound that will be experienced in bus shelter “installations” modified by the movement of the bus system. Real-time recordings of the city gathered through geo-spatial sensor-networks, along with seeded music and spoken words will be mixed with sounds contributed by the public via smartphones and the internet. The project will create geographically distinct aural immersion into a “musical” sound collage that reveals an innovative sonic and spatial patterning of the city.
Sponsor: Drexel ExCITe Center
Role: Co-Investigator

Cognitive Biases in Handwriting Forensics

The goal of this multidisciplinary effort is to devise tests to detect and characterize (if detected) any effects of cognitive biases on the proficiency of Forensic Document Examiners. The project will result in a clearer understanding of cognitive biases and possible sources of errors that may arise in the field of forensic document examination due to extraneous information and external interactions.
Role: Co-Investigator