A PhD Studentship under Durham Doctoral Teaching Fellowship scheme
24 July 2024
We’re seeking a passionate PhD student to join our young and dynamic research group in the Department of Engineering at Durham University to work on a sustainable Internet of Things (IoT) project. This opportunity is part of the unique Durham Doctoral Teaching Fellowship (DDTF) scheme, which provides full funding for your PhD (home fee status students only) while offering valuable teaching experience.
For more information about the DDTF scheme and how to apply, visit this.
A Short-Term Research Opportunity in Wireless Sensing
23 July 2024
We have an opening for a Research Assistant/Postdoctoral Researcher in Electronic Engineering to spearhead the development of battery-less wireless sensing transponders for logistics monitoring applications. This is your chance to work on an innovative industry 4.0 project in collaboration with industry giant Procter & Gamble (P&G), funded by the EPSRC Impact Accelerator Account (IAA). The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in embedded system design and the drive to turn research into real-world impact. Interested? Apply now here.
MEng Graduates Achieve First Class Success
17 June 2024
We are happy to announce that Eryk and Will have successfully completed their MEng in Electronics at Durham University, both achieving First Class degrees. Their academic excellence and research contributions have been truly exceptional. Eryk’s outstanding performance was recognized with four prestigious awards: Outstanding Achievement in Level 4 (achieving 87% in final year), IMechE Best Project in the Electronics stream, IMechE Best Student in the Electronics stream, and Rohde & Schwarz prize for the best project in Communication and Signal Processing Systems.
Both Eryk and Will have achieved a significant milestone in their academic careers. Their MEng capstone projects have been accepted for presentation at the prestigious IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and USNC-URSI Radio Science Meeting (AP-S/URSI) 2024. This July, they will have the opportunity to present their groundbreaking work in Florence, Italy. Well done Eryk and Will!
A New Doctor in the House!
17 June 2024
We are thrilled to announce that Nadeem has successfully defended his PhD thesis titled “AI-Enabled Chipless RFID Sensing System for Reliable IoT Applications”. During his candidature, Dr. Nadeem’s research prowess shone through with 2 journal publications and 6 conference papers as the first author. His work garnered significant recognition, including the Best Student Paper award at iWAT2022 and the Tyndall Postgraduate Publication of the Year 2021 (Rising Star Category Year II). Reflecting on his PhD journey, he shared, “It has been an incredible journey. My research work integrated AI with EM, developing radar-based ‘battery-free and electronics-free’ identification-sensor tags for future IoT applications. This journey has highlighted the transformative potential of utilizing AI in enhancing the robustness and efficiency of radio-based wireless systems, paving the way for future advancements.”
Congratulations Nadeem! Look forward to seeing the impact of your work in the field of wireless technology and IoT applications.
Conformal MIMO UWB Antenna for High-Speed Wireless Capsule Endoscopy Published in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation
14 June 2024
Our PhD student Chang has developed a groundbreaking conformal dual-element MIMO antenna system for wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) applications. This novel design, with a compact volume of 30.5 mm × 15 mm × 0.04 mm, is placed on the 11 mm × 26 mm inner wall of the capsule. The MIMO antenna elements exhibit an ultra-wide bandwidth of 84.91%, offering high data transmission capabilities and effectively mitigating frequency detuning. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this MIMO antenna model achieves the widest bandwidth and smallest reported size among existing MIMO antennas to date. The full paper has been accepted for publication in the prestigious IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation and can be accessed here.
EPSRC IAA Funding for Revolutionizing Product Monitoring Project in Collaboration with P&G
15 May 2024
We are happy to share that Roy has been awarded funding from EPSRC Impact Accelerator Account (IAA) for his proposed project, “Revolutionizing Product Monitoring with Low-Power Battery-less Wireless Sensing Transponder.” This research, conducted in collaboration with global consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble (P&G), aims to transform product monitoring in an industrial setup, utilizing innovative low-power, battery-less wireless sensing technology. The partnership with P&G brings invaluable industry expertise and resources to the project, ensuring its real-world applicability and potential for widespread adoption. The implications of this research are far-reaching, with the potential to revolutionize industries ranging from manufacturing to logistics. As part of this exciting project, we will soon be seeking a talented postdoctoral researcher and master’s student (as part of the capstone project) to join our team. For those who are keen on embedded system design please stay tuned for more updates!
Review Paper on Sub-GHz Wrist-Worn Antennas Accepted in IEEE OJAP
29 April 2024
Dive into the cutting-edge world of Sub-GHz wrist-worn antennas with our latest review paper, “Sub-GHz Wrist-Worn Antennas for Wireless Sensing Applications: A Review,” published in the prestigious IEEE Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation. In collaboration with researchers from Tyndall National Institute, we explore the challenges and opportunities of designing compact and efficient antennas for smartwatches and wristbands operating at Sub-GHz frequencies. As the demand for these wearable devices in health monitoring, security, and fitness tracking soars, our review comprehensively analyzes antenna parameters, design challenges, and future perspectives in this rapidly evolving field. Be at the forefront of wearable technology innovation and access the full paper here.
Hosting MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2024
8 April 2024
We are excited to grow this research group and host MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship(s) 2024. We are passionate about supporting ambitious and groundbreaking interdisciplinary research. The details of our area of expertise can be found in the research and publication sections. If you have a compelling research vision and believe that we would work well together, we would be delighted to assist you with the application process. Please get in touch with Roy via email, including your CV and a brief description of your proposed research project. We are eager to learn more about your research aspirations and discuss how we can work together to realize your goals and make a lasting impact in our field.
Five Papers to be Presented at 2024 IEEE APS in Florence, Italy
28 March 2024
We’re thrilled to announce the outstanding achievements of our dedicated MEng and PhD students whose research has been recognized at the prestigious IEEE APS 2024 conference. These achievements underscore their dedication to fostering groundbreaking research in the field of antenna technology. The paper titles are provided below. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to extend these groundbreaking findings for publication in prestigious journals.
1. Optimising Optical Transparency and RF Performance in Meshed 5G Vehicular Antennas
2. 300 GHz Stacked AFSIW LTCC Horn Array Antenna with Integrated Lenses for V2V
3. A Compact Conformal Capsule Antenna For MIMO Operation
4. Ultra-Miniaturized In-Band Full-Duplex Implantable Antenna for Wireless Capsule Endoscopy
5. Compact Implantable Antenna with Ultra-wide bandwidth for Leadless Pacemaker
Ultra-Miniaturized Dual-Band Implantable WCE Antenna Work Accepted in IEEE Sensors Journal
6 March 2024
One of the outcomes of our PhD student Abdullah‘s work has been accepted in the IEEE Sensors Journal. He unveils a revolutionary dual-band antenna design showing potential for deep implant applications e.g., Wireless Capsule Endoscopy (WCE). With compact dimensions of 8.2 x 8.2 x 0.635 mm³, this antenna operates in both the WMTS 1.4 GHz and ISM 2.45 GHz bands. At 75 mm implantation depth, it showcases impressive performance metrics including gain values of -29.4 dBi and -30.4 dBi, measured impedance bandwidths of 7.2% and 4.2%, respectively, and reliable communication distance exceeding 10 meters (>15 dB link margin). The full paper can be accessed here.
Inernational Collaboration on Accurate Wrist Pulse Monitoring with Metasurface & 60 GHz FMCW Radar Accepted in IEEE Sensors Letters
10 February 2024
Exciting news! Our collaborative work with the University of Southern Denmark, “60 GHz FMCW Millimeter Wave Radar Assisted with Dual-Layer Wideband Flexible Metasurface for Accurate Wrist Pulse Monitoring,” is set to be published in IEEE Sensors Letters. Dive into the world of passive focusing metasurfaces and FMCW radar, designed to revolutionize wrist pulse detection in the 60 GHz millimeter wave frequency range. Our innovative approach promises exceptional polarization characteristics and operational efficiency, showing comparable performance with traditional PPG. The work opens doors for applications in human-device interfaces, health monitoring, and safety screening protocols. The full paper can be accessed here.
Inspiring Young Minds at Framwellgate Moor Primary School
17 January 2024
Roy together with the Engineering Department Outreach Team, including Dr Stefan Szyniszewski, Dr Ciara Keating, and Gary Parker visited Framwellgate Moore Primary School to inspire young minds with the wonders of science and engineering. The team engaged with three classes at the year 5 and 6 levels. The interactive sessions covered various facets of engineering, from energy efficiency experiments with mini wind turbines to hands-on activities building spatial trusses and exploring the invisible world of heat with thermal cameras. The day concluded with each student proudly carrying home their handcrafted space truss, tangible evidence of a day filled with excitement and learning. Together, we ignited imaginations and sparked a newfound interest in science and engineering among the next generation of innovators at Framwellgate Moor Primary School! The activity is also reported here.
Work on Sensing-ready CRFID Tag with Effective Spectrum Use and High Coding Capacity Accepted in IEEE JRFID
27 December 2023
Our PhD student Nadeem‘s innovative work entitled “A Design Methodology for Sensing-Ready Concentric Rings-based Chipless RFID Tags with Effective Spectrum Use and High Coding Capacity” has been accepted for publication in the IEEE Journal of RFID. Nadeem introduces a novel strategy for developing orientation-insensitive concentric ring-based chipless RFID tags. The approach optimally distributes encoded bits within the target spectrum, facilitating the decoding process and enabling the design of a simpler reader. Such a feature also allows for a higher capacity tag – an 88.2% improvement over traditional designs! With the innermost ring strategically set for sensing capabilities and additional encoding features, this methodology sets the stage for future integration of high-resolution sensing in RFID technology. Free access to the full paper here.
Review Paper on RF Energy Harvesting Accepted in IEEE Sensors Journal
21 December 2023
Explore the future of wireless sensing and Industry 4.0 with our upcoming review paper, “RF Energy Harvesting Techniques for Battery-Less Wireless Sensing, Industry 4.0, and Internet of Things,” accepted for publication in the IEEE Sensors Journal. Delve into the area of energy-efficient circuits and battery-less devices, crucial for the expanding landscape of IoT in fifth-generation (5G) networks and green Industry 4.0 systems. Through a comprehensive analysis, we uncover the transformative potential, challenges, and opportunities of RF-based energy harvesting methodologies, tailored to power autonomous low-power electronic circuits and IoT devices, revolutionizing various industries from agriculture to healthcare towards a sustainable, interconnected future. Free access to the paper here.
Review Paper on RF Electrospinning for Energy-autonomous Wearable Sensing Accepted in ACS Nano and Featured as ACS Editor's Choice
18 December 2023
Embark on a journey into the future of wearable technology with our collaborative paper with Dublin City University, “The Potential of Electrospinning to Enable the Realization of Energy-Autonomous Wearable Sensing Systems,” accepted for publication in ACS Nano and featured as an ACS Editors’ Choice. Discover how electrospinning technology revolutionizes wearable electronics, offering unparalleled functionality and wearability. Our review explores the groundbreaking applications of electrospun nano/microfiber membranes in energy harvesting, physiological sensing, energy storage, and data transmission antennas, paving the way for a future of seamlessly integrated and self-powered wearable devices. The full paper can be freely accessed here.
Guest Editing Special Issue on Recent Advances in Microwave Components and Devices
8 November 2023
Joining Dr Jingchen Wang from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Roy is serving as Guest Editors for the special issue of Micromachines titled “Recent Advances in Microwave Components and Devices, 2nd Edition.” With the deadline for submission set on June 30, 2024, this special issue aims to highlight the impressive developments in microwave components and devices over the past decade. From communications to radar, navigation, and beyond, microwave systems play a pivotal role in various applications, including 5G/6G networks and wireless power transmission. We invite contributions on topics such as RF/THz integrated microsystems, microwave antenna design, semiconductor devices, and metamaterials. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your research in this dynamic field! More information including some published articles to date can be read here.
Work on Deep Learning Assisted Robust Detection Techniques of CRFID Sensor Tags Accepted in IEEE TIM
26 October 2023
Our PhD student Nadeem‘s work, accepted in IEEE Trans. on Instrumentation and Measurement, introduces a groundbreaking approach for robust interpretation of identification and sensing data from CRFID sensor tags. For the first time, machine-learning and deep-learning regression modeling techniques are applied for this purpose. Notably, Nadeem’s study implements a first-of-its-kind automated data acquisition method using an ur16e industry-standard robot, collecting a comprehensive dataset of 9600 electromagnetic RCS signatures for training and validation, accounting for different aspects in real-world IoT implementations, e.g., varying platform shapes, tag orientations, and read ranges. With low root-mean-square error (RMSE) values of 0.061 (0.87%) for tag ID and 0.0241 (3.44%) for capacitive sensing, Nadeem’s work demonstrates the superior performance of 1-D convolutional neural network (1-D CNN) architectures in comparison to conventional ML models. The full article can be accessed freely here.
