NJIT faculty conduct extensive research in the university's research centers and laboratories, and in partnership with other universities, industry and government laboratories. Highlights of major research areas are presented here. www.njit.edu/research
ARCHITECTURE
In addition to independent research, architecture faculty are involved in a wide array of interdisciplinary research, mainly through the Center for Architecture and Building Materials Research and the Multi-lifecycle Engineering Research Center.
Areas of Research
Building Technologies and Sciences - Moisture in buildings, building materials, energy transfer through building envelopes, conservation and passive solar heating, building systems integration and building economics.
Computer-Aided Architecture - Use of computers in architectural practice, modeling and simulation, computer application in architectural design, and data structures and graphic representation.
History and Theory of Architecture - Architectural theory and criticism, history of architecture since 1750, urban history and cultural geography, literary themes in architecture, and contemporary art and architectural criticism.
Housing Studies and Urban Design - Housing for new household types, public policies in design arts, technology and architectural design, social meaning of building form, housing environments, community revitalization and economic development.
Urban Infrastructure Planning - Interdisciplinary project planning and design, infrastructure technology and design principles, public space infrastructure, history and theory of urban infrastructure, and financing and implementation of infrastructure projects.
BIOLOGY
Faculty in Biology are involved in several federally funded independent research projects in laboratories housed in the Department of Biological Sciences at Rutgers-Newark and through collaborations with other institutions.
Areas of Research
Neuroscience - Role of synaptic dynamics, such as short-term depression and facilitation, to the generation and control of oscillatory neuronal activity. Study of mechanisms of neuronal plasticity and homeostasis that determine the excitability and electrical activity of neurons and simple neural networks. Electrophysiology, computer modeling, molecular biology, and imaging techniques are used.
Developmental Neurobiology/Neuroimmunology - The role of prenatal inflammation in the control of brain development with particular reference to the etiology of autism.
Ecology and Evolution - Dynamics of populations, communities, and other complex systems. Patterns of extinction and invasion in space, time, and evolutionary history. Theory and practice of creating and restoring ecosystems. Mathematical tools for conservation.
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
NJIT's interdisciplinary biomedical engineering faculty are involved in research and development in collaboration with the following institutions:
Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons
Hershey Medical Center
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
Saint Barnabas Medical Center
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School
Veterans Administration Medical Center in East Orange
Areas of Research
Mechanical Engineering - In the area of biomechanics, research is ongoing in knee joints, heart valves, spinal disks, spinal fixation devices and a quantification device for lower back pain. Biomaterials research focuses on artificial ligaments and resorbable fracture fixation materials.
Electrical Engineering - Researchers in biomedical signal processing are developing electrocardiogram analysis as a tool for diagnosing and treating stroke disorders and neuromuscular disorders. Other signal processing research involves electroencephalogram analysis in treating epilepsy and electromyogram analysis in fatigue studies.
Chemical Engineering/Chemistry - Studies involve use of membranes for controlled-release of pharmaceuticals, protein separation using affinity chromatography, molecular modeling of drug-receptor interactions and mixing and mass transfer phenomena in bioreactors.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
The chemical engineering research programs are closely associated with these centers:
Center for Membrane Technologies
Center for Engineered Particulates
Otto York Center for Environmental Engineering and Science
Polymer Engineering Center
Areas of Research
Particle Technology - Formation of coated particles with a layered structure – Design of particles (including nanoparticles) with controlled size and/or morphology – Formation of composite particles – Fluidization studies and technologies. Research is being conducted in excellent facilities with capabilities for dry particle processing, supercritical fluid processing, particle size reduction, and flow visualization. For their analytical and characterization needs, researchers use a new state-of-the-art electron microscopy facility equipped with a field emission scanning electron microscope, an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope, and an energy transmission electron microscope. Research in particle technology is being supported by a number of significant grants from federal, state, and industrial sources.
Polymeric Materials/Polymer Physics - Development and characterization of polymer composites for membrane applications – Smart coatings for green manufacturing – Polymerization in ionic liquids – Biopolymeric scaffolds for biomedical applications – Energetic materials. Research is being conducted in excellent facilities and in close collaboration with the Polymer Process Institute that is internationally known for its expertise in reactive processing, mixing and compounding, thermoplastic foam processing, and materials characterization. Research in this area is being supported by grants from federal agencies.
Membrane Technology - Membrane-based processes for gas/gas, gas/liquid, and solute/liquid separations – Technologies integrating reaction/separation processes – Novel membranes using composite and nanomaterials – Bioseparations. Research is being conducted in excellent facilities. Support comes through various federal and industrial grants, as well as from NJIT’s sponsored chair in Membrane Separations and Biotechnology.
Pharmaceutical Engineering- Crystallization – Separation processes, including bioseparations – Membrane technologies for controlled drug release – Experimental and computational studies on mixing and its effects on product purity and distribution – Particle (tablet) coating. Research is being conducted in well-equipped laboratory facilities. Support comes through industrial grants and contracts.
Other Areas - Mathematical modeling of reaction and separation processes – Computational thermodynamics – Neural networks in homeland security applications – Reaction engineering – Hazardous waste treatment.
CHEMISTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
The Chemistry and Environmental Science research programs are closely associated with these centers;
Otto York Center for Environmental Engineering and Science
Areas of Research
Environmental Studies - Research is ongoing in policy studies, health, coastal geomorphology, economics, ethics, history, communications and education. The department hosts the nationally acclaimed environmental publication, Terra Nova. Hazardous Waste Treatment and Waste Minimization -Thermodynamic analysis of combustion and pyrolysis processes, catalytic combustion, acid gas treatment, sampling & analysis of organic and inorganic pollutants, treatment of gaseous pollutants by corona discharge, novel routes for solvent-less chemical synthesis.
Biochemical Processing -Chromatographic separations, molecular modeling of enzyme mimics and drug-receptor interactions.
CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Research in civil and environmental engineering is conducted within the department and in these NJIT centers:
Otto York Center for Environmental Engineering and Science
International Intermodal Transportation Center
Areas of Research
Geoenvironmental Engineering Laboratory - This state-of-the-art facility was established with support from a $1 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, which was matched with more than $2 million from NJIT. The laboratory provides research support for geoenvironmental projects such as soil decontamination using biological, chemical and/or physical means; modeling of contaminant transformation and transport; and the testing of waste treatment, solidification, and stabilization and containment systems. The equipment includes an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction spectrometers (XRF/XRD), GC/MS and SFE, capillary electrophoresis (CE), UV-VIS, FT/IR, respirometers, particle size analyzer (PSA) and hydraulic conductivity apparatus.
Geospatial - Members of the CEE faculty are engaged in geospatial modeling, a powerful tool for environmental and geographic analysis. Geospatial analysis is being applied on a number of projects involving estuarine water quality, transportation and congestion studies, coastal construction techniques, and hazardous waste site investigation. In addition, remote sensing techniques are being applied to global change studies investigating primary productivity and carbon cycling. Recent research sponsors include: NASA, NOAA, and NJDOT.
High Performance Concrete Laboratory - Equipped with funds from NSF, this laboratory is capable of testing very high strength concretes under uniaxial as well as triaxial states of stress. The primary testing system is capable of applying up to 1 million pounds of axial load on a specimen in a computer-controlled closed-loop environment. The materials processing component includes two computer-controlled micro-sizers, and fractionators for particle size analysis and categorization of industrial by-product additives to concrete, such as fly-ash, microsilica and blast furnace slags.
Smart Sensors and Nondestructive Testing Laboratory - This laboratory provides means for studying self-sensing systems built into structures to monitor excessive strains, deflections, load distributions, temperature variations and corrosion.
Transportation and Planning - The CEE Transportation Group has carved out a strong research "niche" in the areas of traffic analysis, safety issues, and regional transportation planning, with a special strength in computer simulation and modeling. Another major focus area is improvement of productivity of private industry and public sector entities through the scientific analysis of transportation movements and linkages. Projects are also underway in the area of transportation security and disaster routing. Recent research sponsors include USDOT, FHWA, NJDOT, NJ Transit, and Greyhound.
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Computer science (CS) is about the design and development of computing systems. The discipline is very broad, encompassing theory and applications. Its roots are in mathematics and engineering. CS includes the design, analysis, and implementation of computer algorithms and software systems. Application areas include eCommerce, networking, databases, data mining, firewalls, and web servers.
Programming is but one aspect of CS. Computer scientists solve multifaceted problems. They may develop systems, work with engineers, or lead large software development project teams.
Computer science faculty research interests are in the following areas:
- Algorithms
- Bioinformatics
- Computer Vision
- Databases
- eCommerce
- Operating Systems
- Networking
- Parallel Computing
- Pattern Recognition
- Programming Languages
- Security
- Software Engineering
- Storage Technology
- Web Technologies
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The departments provide research laboratories with infrastructure and coordination for conducting multidisciplinary research and development. Some key areas that the department focuses on are the technology, health care and financial industries, which require research in software engineering, telecommunications, computing systems, artificial intelligence, database, algorithms, and biomedical and information systems. In addition, the department sustains an interdisciplinary research support environment for biomedical and neuroscience applications, computer engineering, computer-mediated communication, enterprise engineering, health care information systems, manufacturing systems, medical imaging and information systems, microelectronics, as well as other disciplines.
ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
In addition to independent research, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty participate in research at the:
Center for Communications and Signal Processing Research
Electronic Imaging Center
Microelectronics Research Center
New Jersey Center for Wireless Telecommunications
Areas of Research
Ion Beam and Thin Film Laboratory - Studies focus on processing and properties of materials and structures in the form of thin films. The laboratory has a number of thin film deposition systems, including a state-of-the-art ultrahigh vacuum chamber that permits deposition on atomically clean surfaces. Thin film structures, basic elements of modern microelectronic and optoelectronic devices, are increasingly important in almost all areas of technology. Current research includes metal epitaxy on silicon, modification of surfaces with atomic and cluster ions, and development of novel dielectrics with properties controlled by light beams.
Microwave and Lightwave Engineering Laboratory - Research is ongoing in the areas of microwave device modeling and measurement, computer-aided design (CAD) of microwave components and systems, characterization of RF/microwave/optical systems, monolithic microwave integrated circuit design and testing, numerical electomagnetic codes, analysis design and wire antenna multiscattering in vegetation, experimental and theoretical study of linear and semiconductor surfaces, integrated optics, fabrication and characterization.
Multimedia - Research projects are in the areas of multimedia signal processing and compression, multimedia communications, digital content security and data hiding, Internet delivery of multimedia and many others. The multimedia production and Internet delivery studio, with its state-of-the-art webcasting and DVD authoring platforms, facilitates the use of emerging Internet multimedia technologies for education and learning purposes. More than 30 faculty members and about 40 doctoral students are involved in multimedia research.
Communications and Signal Processing - Recent emphasis on wireless and personal communication systems includes multiuser detection and interference cancellation algorithms, smart antennas and space-time processing. Other areas include adaptive systems and arrays, blind signal separation and equalization, synthetic aperture, radar processing and calibration, source encoding and synchronization, detection and estimation and ATM networking. Signal processing research covers wide areas of nonlinear and adaptive signal processing and algorithms, one- and multidimensional signal processing, image-video coding, subband and wavelet transforms, QMF-wavelet filters, and advanced DCT algorithms.
Computer Engineering - Computer engineering faculty members are conducting research in these areas: test generation; fault simulation; design for testability; built-in self-test; data compression; CAD; computer architecture; design verification; computer reliability; fault tolerance; interconnection in high speed digital circuits; microprocessing; Internet-based computer-aided instruction; interconnection networks; multiprocessor systems; nonlinear optimization techniques; genetic algorithms; neural networks; infrared imaging; computer networks; routing in ATM networks; LANs; CEBus; BACnet; parallel computing systems; parallel algorithms; computer vision; Petri nets; discrete event systems; embedded control; computer integrated manufacturing and networking intelligent automation; information display; robotics; ATM switches; and VLSI.
Electronic Imaging - Special filters are widely used in the characterization of chemical or biological systems. Much information on these systems can be deduced from spectral analysis of transmission and reflection of the samples, especially in the infrared (IR) spectral region. Researchers examine tunable filter systems, such as wavefront division interferometers (WDI), together with a two-dimensional IR imager. Such systems are based on multiplexing procedure, which minimizes optical loss. The resolution and the extent of the filtering process is determined by novel electronic processing methods. The goal is to develop a hand-held instrument to monitor harmful molecules in a remote or a nearby environment.
Nonlinear Nanostructures Laboratory - Nanotechnology is a fast-growing interdisciplinary area. While many thin film and granular technologies are within the nano scale, nanotechnology is related to the "added value," i.e., the functionality, of nanostructures. The basic "building block," the nanocluster, is an ultrafine-grained solid with a high percentage of atoms at the grain boundaries. The nonlinear optical properties of nanoclusters are of intense interest for use in optical switching and IR sensing. The confinement of the electronic wave function to small dimensions results in an enormous refractive index change. Experiments are under way on Si nanoclusters grown by either laser ablation or ion implantation.
Wireless Telecommunications - Research activities are distributed among four focus areas: wave propagation models for delivery of advanced broadband services and R.F. engineering of novel devices and systems for wireless digital communications technologies; wideband multiple access systems, and multiuser technologies including adaptive equalization and space-time adaptive processing; wireless networking including architectures, wireless ATM, geolocation, teletraffic modeling, resources allocation; and services, applications and wireless technology transfer.
HISTORY
The Federated History Department of NJIT and Rutgers-Newark conducts research in a wide variety of historical fields, regions and periods. Faculty in the department have obtained many grants from government and private foundations such as the National Endowment for the Humanities; the National Science Foundation; the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation; the Smithsonian Institute; Fulbright Fellowships; and the Spencer Foundation. The department produces two periodicals:
Eighteenth-Century Scotland
Horn of Africa
Areas of Research
History of Technology, Environment and Medicine - American environmental history; urban environmental history; the social and cultural history of medicine and technology, history of print culture; film, television and history; and technology and warfare.
American History - Social, cultural and diplomatic history; the history of women and the family; African-American history; legal history; public history.
World History - Comparative history; intellectual, cultural, and political history; modern Africa; , and China; Latin America and the Caribbean; medieval Europe and Eurasia; modern France, Germany, Spain and Britain.
HUMANITIES
The department integrates humanities disciplines into NJIT's technological curricula for the purpose of understanding the cultural, social and scientific contexts informing contemporary culture. Special emphasis is given to research in the study of science, technology and society; the study of communication; the study of health policy; professional ethics; and the study of multicultural and international literature. The department is committed to drawing on the humanities as a coherent model for examining human society.
Center for Architecture and Building Science Research
International Intermodal Transportation Center
Areas of Research
Professional and Technical Communication- Multimedia design, usability, technology transfer, writing assessment, environmental communications, technology-enhanced teaching and learning, history of technical communication, electronic publishing, digital communications and design.
Professional and Environmental Ethics - Philosophy of technology, ethics of engineering & technology, nature, technology, music in philosophy, literature and practice, philosophy of scientific explanation.
Modern and Postmodern Literature and Cultural Studies - Poetry, interdisciplinary medieval studies, aesthetics, textual scholarship, electronic media and English studies, computer writing and criticism, hypertext pedagogy, American studies.
Second Language Acquisition, Grammar, Gender & Diversity Issues
INDUSTRIAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
The Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering has a significant and diverse research program that includes areas such as industrial and operations research, design for manufacturing, quality, assembly and concurrent engineering, robotics, global networking, logistics and simulation issues of small and medium-sized companies, multimedia, environmental and health/safety and medical engineering. Research also is affiliated with these major NJIT research centers:
Center for Manufacturing Systems
International Intermodal Transportation Center
Areas of Research
Industrial Engineering, Systems and Operations - Research includes the development of control and scheduling algorithms for the optimization of container terminal operations, global networking and logistics operations for small, medium and large corporations, the impact of telecommuting strategies on traffic flow, engineering system modeling and design tools, distributed virtual laboratory networks between research groups, the R&D of quality systems, quality control and management systems.
Manufacturing Systems and Mechatronics Engineering - Focus is on robotics, robot cell design, flexible computer-integrated manufacturing, system integration of automation systems, flexible assembly system modeling, integration, implementation, non-contact sensing and inspection, CAD/CAM integration, servo pneumatic positioning and sensor technology.
Concurrent/Simultaneous and Total Lifecycle Engineering - This new research field includes the development of new methods and toolsets for small batch luxury automobile manufacturers (such as Rolls-Royce Motor Cars), and general methods, tools and technologies for design for manufacturing, design for quality manufacturing, and assembly and maintenance systems.
Medical, Environmental, Health and Safety Engineering - Activity in this area is increasing. Main areas include the assessment of the realistic impact of environmental factors on productivity, devices and methods for the prevention of repetitive motion injuries, microrobotic manipulators for human artery cleaning, and new medical devices coupled with simulators and expert systems that can be used for interacting with the human body and other medical applications.
Multimedia, Simulation and Virtual Reality Modeling - Research activities are spread between discrete event and continuous system modeling and simulation and areas such as graphical modeling of workcells, object-oriented simulation coupled with AI, engineering multimedia developments for the study of servopneumatic positioning, multimedia for total quality management and the ISO9001 standard, flexible automation, concurrent engineering and the virtual reality simulation (and rapid prototyping) of complex electromechanical products and their manufacturing/assembly processes
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MANAGEMENT
In addition to independent research, School of Management faculty are pursuing research conducted in affiliation with these centers:
Center for Manufacturing Systems
International Intermodal Transportation Center
Areas of Research
Entrepreneurship and Small Business - Assessment of emerging technologies, economics, employment growth, theories and practice in relation to entrepreneurship and private enterprise.
Building Production and Management - Building efficiencies, organization of international construction, environmental technology management, and industrial ecology systems.
Behavioral Science and Organizational Theory - Organizational design and development, organizational behavior, occupational and organizational socialization, legal and ethical issues, public administration, social perception, leadership, attachment and commitment processes in organizations, and transportation behavior.
Economics and Finance - Mathematical programming and multicriteria decision making in financial management, portfolio analysis, emerging international capital markets, applied corporate finance, financial economics, public finance, international competitiveness of U.S. economy, and international economic/financial relationships.
Human Resources Management - Managing new technology, labor management relations, public policy and technological change, and tasks and unit level technologies.
Information Systems Management - Policy analysis, computer auditing, control and security, interface design, systems evaluation, technological forecasting and assessment, management information systems, management and social impacts of computer and information systems, group decision support systems and database analysis.
Information Systems Auditing - Operational auditing, internal auditing.
Marketing Management - Marketing research, new product management, consumer behavior, international marketing, marketing technological innovation, mathematical programming and multicriteria decision making, strategic management, sales management, enhancing global competitiveness and technology transfer, internet marketing.
Operations Management - Project management, industrial quality control, production planning, management of manufacturing systems, and mathematical programming and multicriteria decision making.
Corporate Law and Ethics - Employment law, legal and ethical issues in business, international legal environment of business, job security and unlawful discharge/unjust dismissal.
MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
The research interests of the faculty focus on the development and use of mathematical and computational tools for solving scientific, technological and industrial problems. The Center for Applied Mathematics and Statistics promotes and represents the research interests of all NJIT mathematical sciences faculty.
Areas of Research
Acoustics and Signal Processing - Faculty involved in acoustics study both the forward and inverse problem of sound propagation in the ocean. Work on the forward problem aims for accurate and computationally efficient solutions of the wave equation for complex oceanic environments. Research on the inverse problem addresses the development of algorithms for source localization and geoacoustic inversion, combining array and statistical signal processing concepts and waveguide physics.
Electromagnetics - The electromagnetics group is concerned with the scattering of electromagnetic waves by complex structures and materials. Methods used include modeling, asymptotics and numerical analysis. Applications to material processing are an important aspect of this work. Current and recent projects include the analysis of microwave sintering of ceramics, including thermal runaway and hot-spot dynamics, electron beam welding of ceramics, nonlinear pulses in optical fibers and the development of numerical methods for Maxwell's equations in free-space and in complex, dispersive media.
Fluid Dynamics and Materials Science - Several faculty are involved in the development of analytical and computational methods and their application to problems arising in fluid dynamics and materials science. A particular area of emphasis is the study of the dynamics of interfaces between two fluids or a fluid and a solid. Research in this area includes liquid jet breakup, bubble dynamics, crystal growth, and flame front propagation as well as related problems in combustion and detonation. Other research areas include stability theory, particulate flows, thin films, nanofluids and electrohydrodynamics..
Mathematical Biology - The majority of the researchers in this group work on experimental, computational, and mathematical neuroscience with particular interest in synaptic dynamics and their role in generating and controlling oscillatory neuronal activity, neuronal networks with application to visual cortex, and electrical activity in excitable cells. Research in developmental biology focuses on the study of patterning in biological systems. Another focus area is biological fluid dynamics with emphasis on microvascular blood flow and oxygen delivery. A new developing area in the Department is mathematical ecology and evolution.
Statistics - Faculty research areas and interests include applied probability modeling, statistical inference, statistical reliability theory and applications, survival analysis and applications in biostatistics, time series analysis and forecasting, signal processing, design and analysis of industrial experiments.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
The scope of research in the Department of Mechanical Engineering is broad. Projects are carried out within the department's laboratories as well as in collaboration with the following centers:
Center for Manufacturing Systems
New Jersey Center for Engineered Particulates
New Jersey Center for Microflow Control
Polymer Engineering Center
Areas of Research
Activated Metallic Materials and Combustion - Main objectives are to develop improved metal-based components for propellants, pyrotechnics, and explosive formulations. Mechanisms of combustion and ignition for metals are investigated experimentally and theoretically. New nano-structured and nano-crystalline materials are synthesized using mechanical alloying and arrested reactive milling. Materials are characterized using thermal analysis, electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and other techniques. Combustion and ignition processes are studied using unique experimental facilities, including lifted laminar flame aerosol burners, laser ignition apparatus, constant volume explosion apparatus, and heated filament ignition setup.
Bearings and Bearing Lubrication - Research areas include design of hydrodynamic, hydrostatic, rolling element bearings and novel designs of unique bearings, such as composite bearings. Also, the role of bearings in rotor dynamics is investigated. Students are engaged in the design and development of testing machines, which include computer data acquisition, for friction and wear, and for testing bearing materials and lubricant additives. Research is conducted in modeling and compensation of friction in control systems for precise motion control, stick-slip friction, friction-induced vibrations and antilock brakes. Work is conducted in modeling and measurement of dynamic friction in bearings, clutches, vehicle breaks and tires. Other research interests are rheology of lubricants, including viscoelastic and synthetic lubricants.
Computational Fluid Dynamics -- The laboratory for computational fluid dynamics is equipped with state-of-the-art computer equipment consisting of an SGI compute server (Origin 2000), four SGI 02 workstations and PCs. The purpose of the laboratory is the understanding, prediction and control of many fluid flows in the laminar, transitional and turbulent regimes. High performance computing, advanced data analysis, hydrodynamic stability theory and control theory are used for this purpose. Research includes boundary layer and channel flows, wake flows, film flows, ocean water waves and propagating flames. Another thrust area is the numerical simulation of multiphase flows such as particulate and bubbly flows.
Electro-Hydrodynamics Research - The research aims at developing a fundamental theory of the synergism of electric- and shear-induced phenomena in suspensions and to examine the accuracy of predictions regarding the effects of high-gradient strong fields on the particle motions and aggregation. Understanding of these phenomena is used toward the control and manipulation of suspension flows. Applications include the development of a novel filtering technology for online cleaning of in-service fluids in shipboard equipment.
Engineered Particulates - Synthesis of nano-particulates and structured particle composites for applicants such as pharmaceutical, food, electronic and energetic materials. Modeling and development of novel techniques for dry particle coating, film-coated particles, granules and engineered particulates. Nano-particle mixing and nano-particle fluidization. Supercritical fluid processing for particle mixing, coating and particle formation. Particle transport and handling, flow and delivery from hoppers. Numerical simulations and particle-particle interactions.
Granular Flow - The goal of this research is to develop predictive models of flowing granular materials critical to the design of efficient and reliable solids handling systems prevalent in the industrial sector (chemicals, food, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, minerals, energy, materials, munitions, and electronics), as particulates are universally found in most products either as raw materials or as the final product. Investigations aimed at understanding observable bulk behavior are carried out as part of the Particle Technology Center and made through realistic dynamic computer simulations, analytical modeling and physical experiments. Paramount is the connection between microstructure evolution and transport properties. Phenomena of interest include hopper flows, vibrated beds, shearing, percolation in packed beds, and segregation.
Multiphase Flow Research - Research objectives are to develop a fundamental knowledge of hydrodynamic and interfacial interactions of phases in multiphase flows as well as develop advanced technologies related to particulate multiphase flows. Projects include drag forces and collisions of interacting particles in viscous flows, fibrous filtration of particulate-laden flows, membrane separation, wet scrubbing, liquid jet evaporation in gas-solid suspension flows, and filtration applications using rotating fluidized beds.
Non-Newtonian Fluid Dynamics - A knowledge of non-Newtonian fluid dynamics is essential in many industries, including those involving plastics, paints, suspensions, oils, lubricants, rubber and detergents. Projects include theoretical and computational analyses of the popular constitutive equations for a range of flow problems, e.g., injection molding, porous media flows, viscoelastic particulate flows, free-surface flows as well as the modeling of non-Newtonian fluids. Both finite element and finite difference methods are used to solve the governing equations in two and three dimensions.
Pattern Recognition/Cluster Analysis/Image Processing Research - This research focuses on the use of "soft computing" methods for various applications: fuzzy clustering algorithms, robust clustering, clustering of relational data, application of robust statistical techniques in cluster analysis, shape detection in noisy data, generalization of fuzzy clustering algorithms for multicharacteristic shape detection, such as hyper-spherical/ellipsoidal shells as cluster prototypes, or adaptive clustering and cluster validity issues. Clustering methods and evidence collection techniques are used for lines, curves and arc detection in digital images. These algorithms are also used in reverse engineering through development of CAD models from image sensor data. Machine vision applications are also studied.
Plastics Engineering - The New Jersey Bell Plastics Laboratory is well equipped with a wide range of state-of-the-art plastics processing and forming equipment, supported by analytical testing capabilities. The laboratory is used for a wide range of research and development activities. Activities include re-engineering of commingled waste plastics, studies on self-reinforced composites, and combined parametric and experimental studies to develop models to explain the interrelationships between product properties and process parameters for injection molding processes. As part of the research activities, students use CAD and computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools in the design, analysis and manufacture of plastics products.
Rapid Intelligent Manufacturing and Prototyping - The research aims to generate fundamental knowledge and develop advanced technologies to enable the design and manufacture of products to be done more quickly and cost-effectively. Research projects include next-generation CAD/CAM systems with virtual reality, rapid tooling and manufacturing, rapid freezing prototyping, and environmental performance analysis of solid freeform fabrication processes.
System Integration and Robotic - The research applies theoretical analyses, simulations and experiments to the design and control of mechanical and electromechanical systems (mechatronics). Kinematic and dynamic modeling, system calibration and optimization techniques are used to enhance system performance. Projects include development of design, planning, and control methodologies for effective use of parallel kinematics machines and development of ultrafine motion technologies to enable fast, flexible automated assembly of optoelectronics systems.
Waterjet Technology Research - The Waterjet Research facility develops technologies for the use of high- and super high-speed fluid jets for manufacturing complex components from hard-to-machine materials, cleaning and grinding of sensitive surfaces, and bio-medical applications. Projects include numerical modeling of fluid jets, developing expert systems for jet-based processing, precision cleaning of complex surfaces, using ice for machining applications, and using impact and explosion to form jets.
PHYSICS
Interdisciplinary applied physics research is conducted in collaboration with faculties of NJIT, Rutgers-Newark, Rutgers-New Brunswick, and UMDNJ in areas such as electrical engineering, chemistry and chemical engineering, materials science, industrial and manufacturing engineering, biological sciences and geological sciences. Cooperative research efforts are under way with the National Solar Observatory, Bell Labs-Lucent Technologies, U.S. Army Research Lab, and other industrial and federal research laboratories. Research also is conducted at these major NJIT centers and NJIT-maintained facilities:
Microelectronics Research Center
Center for Solar Research
Big Bear Solar Observatory
Owens Valley Radio Observatory
Areas of Research
Device Physics - Research at NJIT is under way in silicon microfabrication, micromachining and fusion bonding for conventional and novel microelectromechanical (MEMS) device applications, metal-insulator-semiconductor device structures and rapid thermal processes in silicon integrated circuits. Studies at Rutgers-Newark involve sensors for biophysics applications. Facilities for this work include state-of-the-art metrology electrical characterization equipment, cryostats for very low temperature measurements and access to NJIT's Class 10 cleanroom with full process capabilities for 6-inch silicon wafers.
Materials Research - Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) of III-V semiconductors is used to fabricate various photonic devices, digital integrated circuits and optoelectronic integrated circuits. Research on the synthesis and characterization of chemical vapor deposited (CVD) and physical vapor deposited (PVD) silicon-based dielectric films is ongoing. Optical characterization of materials includes visible and far-infrared spectroscopy, photoconductivity, photoluminescence, spectral emissometry and thermal modulation spectroscopy. Materials studies include photoinduced superconductivity in High-Tc materials (i.e., YBCO) and optical properties of SiC, GaN and porous silicon.
Ultrafast Optical and Optoelectronic Phenomena - Terahertz spectroscopy is used to study ultrafast carrier dynamics in semiconductors. Other areas include ultrafast photodetectors, ultrashort nonlinear pulse propagation in optical fibers and planar waveguides, ultrafast photophysics of semiconductor and quantum well devices, and ultrafast optical switching in novel nonlinear materials. The Ultrafast Optics and Optoelectronics Laboratory is capable of producing ultrashort laser pulses of 100 femtosecond duration over a tuning range of 230-nm (ultraviolet) to 2300-nm (infrared).
Optical Science and Engineering Education - The National Science Foundation (NSF) is supporting the development of an optical science and engineering curriculum with optics research collaboration among NJIT's physics, electrical and computer engineering, and chemical engineering, chemistry and environmental science departments.
Solar Physics - The Center for Solar Research operates two world-class observation facilities: Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) and a dedicated array of solar radio telescopes at Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO), both in California and both formerly managed by Caltech. Research focuses on the development of state-of-the-art instruments for solar observations; the study of solar magnetic fields and extended atmosphere; and the study of solar activities and their terrestrial effects. Solar physics interacts closely with other research areas at NJIT, including device physics, image processing and atmospheric chemistry. With the acquisition of BBSO and OVRO, the NJIT physics department has one of the best-known university-based research efforts in solar physics in the world.
Imaging Technology - A developing initiative builds upon NJIT's nationally recognized work in infrared imaging technology, applying it to the promising area of infrared solar physics. State-of-the-art infrared imaging devices are being developed and tested as part of an IR telescope system to be installed at Big Bear Solar Observatory.
Surface Physics - This area focuses on research on laser-induced physical processes on surfaces. One area of current interest is laser-stimulated hydrogen ion desorption from a hydrogenated Si (100) surface. Another area is the interaction of spin polarized atoms with surfaces.
Discharge Physics - Research on glow discharges for plasma processing of semiconductors and other materials is being carried out under an NSF-sponsored program. Related studies on VUV (vacuum ultraviolet) light sources and unique laser pumping schemes are also under way.
Applied Laser Physics - With industry funding, research is being carried out at Rutgers-Newark on laser processing of materials with low thermal conductivity. The physics involves heat transport, laser properties and material properties. New instrumentation to resolve variations in temperature in time and space is being developed. This work is in collaboration with the Department of Ceramics and Engineering in the Rutgers College of Engineering in New Brunswick.
Biophysics - An NSF-funded research training group program in collaboration with the Rutgers-Newark's chemistry department, the federated biological sciences department and Rutgers-Newark's Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience provides training and research opportunities in frontier interdisciplinary biophysics areas including spectroscopy, signal processing and biomedical instrumentation. One area of great current interest involves the use of stable isotope tracers for medical diagnostics. Another is the development of microsensors to probe nonlinear auditory response in mammals.
TRANSPORTATION
The interdisciplinary program in transportation through the Institute for Transportation involves about 30 NJIT faculty and 25 NJIT graduate students in its research program activities. Congressional legislation requires that TELUS (Transportation Economic and Land Use System) be customized and deployed for use throughout the United States. TELUS is a computerized system for tracking the progress of transportation projects and assessing their economic and land use impacts and interrelationships. Institute research activities are associated with the following centers at NJIT:
International Intermodal Transportation Center
North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority
Areas of Research
Mitigation of Increased Highway Congestion - resulting in reduced productivity, increased gridlock, pollution and fuel consumption.
Advanced Traffic Control and Engineering - are requiring new systems for traffic management and new engineering and management techniques to expand the capacity of the transportation infrastructure.
Intelligent Transportation Systems - resulting in more efficient use and increased safety for the existing transportation infrastructure.
Increased Competition - for railroad, truck and air carriers because of deregulation. Carriers must further reduce costs while providing high-quality service and consider that a smaller number of large companies may dominate the market.
Globalization - of markets requiring the ability to efficiently move goods over long distances often using multiple carriers. Several large transportation consortia are likely to establish themselves in world markets in the next decade.
Reduction in Public Assistance to Transportation - and the high social and political costs of building new transportation systems placing a tremendous emphasis on improved management of existing facilities, thereby requiring the introduction of innovative financing practices and larger participation from the private sector.
Increase in Social Awareness - demonstrated by society's concern with the energy consumption of scarce fossil fuels and the negative by-products of transportation such as noise, air and water pollution.
Streamlining the Logistics Process - to reduce transportation and inventory costs through the expedition of raw materials from origins to production plants, semi-finished products between plants and finished products to consumers.
Intermodalism - to combine the best of two or more modes of transportation for the coordinated movement of people or freight. The economy of line haul with the flexibility of another mode for local collection and distribution is an example.
Aircraft Routing - to reduce aircraft noise and to improve air traffic operation.
