Research Activities

CNEE has a dynamic and vibrant research community with a strong track record and commitment to working closely with companies and public sector institutions in applied research, consultancy, the transfer of specialist expertise, and the provision of professional training.

The portfolio of active research, consultancy and technology transfer projects constantly changes but a snapshot (November 2007) of current projects gives a flavour of just some of the exciting work being undertaken by CNEE staff:

Bespoke embedded computer and electronic system design

We have an international reputation in niche applications of embedded systems, for example, plant condition monitoring. Recent and ongoing projects include:

  • The development of embedded platforms that detect transient radio frequency interference (RFI) phenomena in HV plant and triangulate the location of the source. The novel system integrates antenna, data capture and software analysis functions.
  • The development of wireless body area sensor networks that track the orientation and movements of limbs and gestures in real time to provide “motion capture” for games and therapeutic applications.

Computer and sensor grid engineering

Our research expertise and innovation in these areas has been recognised both nationally and internationally. Recent and ongoing projects include:

  • The development of “virtual” call centre software agents to operate in grid infrastructures.
  • The development of agent technologies and architectures for network and grid management.

Digital security

Our innovative research in embedded biometrics and novel applications of biometrics offer significant benefits in the areas of security (reducing the potential for identity theft) and health and safety. Recent and ongoing projects include:

  • The development of smartcard based biometric systems that securely store an individuals biometric data on card, and efficiently perform verification matching on the card without the need to disclose the biometric to external systems.
  • The development of fast and reliable non invasive screening systems for verifying identity and characterising an individual's physiological state (e.g. to assess their fitness for work).

Network and telecommunications systems engineering

We are active in a range of areas and our work is recognised nationally and internationally. Recent and ongoing projects include:

  • The development of software tools to aid the design of optical antennae for wireless infra-red communications.
  • The development of algorithms for efficient image and video compression based on the characteristics of the human visual system.
  • The development of algorithms for eliminating broadband wireless channel fading in the Physical layer of Wi-Fi and Wi-Max systems.
  • The development of new methods to reduce the Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR) of broadband orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmissions in xDSL and OFDM wireless systems.
  • The development of enhanced network traffic routing protocols.
  • Novel broadband antenna system design for communication systems and partial discharge detection; novel antennas for RFI detection and localisation.

In many instances, the work described above is covered by patents and/or exploitation agreements with industrial collaborators. CNEE has a thriving community of research students and fellows and access to several dedicated research labs: the Emotion Lab; MUCOM lab; and the VOTER labs with plans to add further add to our research infrastructure in 2008. All of these research labs are accessible to research students pursuing programmes of advanced learning as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking research projects are part of their taught programme of study.

Mathematical modelling and simulation

  • We have an established national and international reputation in a number of areas that utilise mathematical modelling and simulation methods. Recent and ongoing projects include:
  • The development of objective measures of pilot workload in flight simulation.
  • Performance modelling, analysis and optimisation of communications in parallel, distributed, and grid networks.
  • Performance modelling, analysis and optimisation of communications in wired and wireless networks.
  • Modelling of partial discharge acoustic wave propagation issues within High Voltage (HV) plant.
  • Simulation and optimisation of the operation of Accident and Emergency Departments.
  • Mathematical modelling of the physiology of cardiac arrhythmias.
  • Analysis of the stability and chaotic behaviour of stellar clusters.

Applied statistics

  • We have an established national reputation in health statistics. Recent and ongoing collaborative studies include:
  • Statistical analysis of knee joint contractures in MS patients.
  • Statistical analysis of gait characteristics of subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome.
  • Statistical analysis of long-term survival rates of patients with severe injury.
  • Statistical analysis of the associations between occupational injury rates and social deprivation.
  • Comparison of Pulsed dye, Alexandrite, KTP and ND:YAG Lasers and IPL in patients with previously treated capillary malformations.
  • Measurement and assessment of post fault conditions in HV plant; failure prediction through preventative forensic analysis of insulation.

Financial modelling and prediction

The prediction and modelling of financial price movements

A national and international reputation has been established regarding price movements in currency and equity markets that involve collaborative studies with staff from other divisions / schools in GCU (e.g., Division of Psychology and Division of Accounting, Finance and Risk) and institutions both within the UK (e.g., School of Management, University of Bath) and outside the UK (e.g., Faculty of Business Administration, Bilkent, Turkey).

Recent and ongoing collaborative studies include:

  • Prediction and evaluation of financial price movements in currency and equity markets using judgemental probability techniques, technical analysis and time series / econometric analysis.
  • The integration of judgemental and statistical techniques in trading and investment contexts linking academic and practitioner approaches to exchange rate analysis and forecasting in the formation of trading and investment systems.
  • The use of intraday analysis to develop and evaluate trading systems using high frequency exchange rate data.

Contact

For more information on the teaching, research or any other areas of the Division please contact:

Professor Tom Buggy

Head of Division

Email: T.Buggy@gcal.ac.uk 

Tel: 0141 331 8205