Digital & Smart Systems
Increasing connectivity and digitization continues to change our world.
Digital is everywhere.
The increasing connectivity and digitization of our world, or the Internet of Things, continues to change everything, from how we catch a taxi, book a trip or turn on a thermostat.
There are forecasts that 50 billion devices will be connected to the Internet by 2020, representing a $19-trillion (U.S.) global market.
With projects spanning every aspect of the digital world, our research teams are pushing the limits of systems engineering. Whether it is cyber security and privacy, big data manipulation, hardware systems, large system integrations or the effects of these technologies on our society, our world renowned researchers are working with industry, government, and research partners in Canada and around the world to create fresh solutions to the world’s digital problems.
Challenges: Increasing amounts of data, cyber security, privacy, software safety and efficiency, security threats, ease of information sharing, social connectivity, hardware innovations (for example, smartphones, Fitbits)
Related Faculty
Dr. Nabil Bassim
Associate Professor
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Scientific Director, Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy (CCEM)
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Associate Member
Department of Engineering Physics
Structure-Processing-Property Relationships, Electron Microscopy, Focused Ion Beam Microscopy, Nanomaterials, 2-D materials, Image Processing, Beam-Sample interactions, Structural Materials (Concrete, Metallurgical Alloys), Nanofabrication
Dr. Ian Bruce
Professor
Biomedical engineering and signal processing; hearing aids and cochlear implants; auditory neurophysiology and psychophysics; digital speech processing; stochastic and nonlinear systems
Dr. Jamal Deen
Distinguished University Professor
Micro-/Nano-/Opto-Electronics, Nanotechnology and Data Analytics for Health and Environmental Applications, Bioimagers, Biosensor
Dr. Tohid Didar
Associate Professor
Biomedical devices; Bio-sensing; Microfluidics; Bio-functional Interfaces, Bio-hybrid micro/nano-robots
Dr. Thomas E. Doyle
Associate Professor
Biomedical signal processing; Human-computer interfacing (HCI); Machine learning for the augmentation, rehabilitation, and enhancement of human attributes
Prof. Qiyin Fang
Associate Member
biophotonics, microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy & imaging, intelligent sensing for point-of-care, aging-in-place, & environmental monitoring
Dr. Matiar Howlader
Associate Member
Nano-bonding of materials, devices, and components from emerging technology of microelectronics, photonics, micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS), bio-MEMS, bio-MOEMS and microfluidics for miniaturized and robust micro- and nano-system for health and environmental applications
Dr. Aleksandar Jeremic
Associate Professor
Biomedical signal processing ; Medical imaging ; Biochemical sensing ; Environmental monitoring ; Array signal processing
Dr. Zahra Motamed
Associate Member
Medical devices, Medical imaging; Diagnostic, Intervention-predictive and intervention-optimization tools
Dr. Michael Noseworthy
Professor
Medical imaging physics; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); multinuclear spectroscopy (MNS); machine learning; brain; muscle; cancer
Dr. James (Jim) Reilly
Professor Emeritus
Statistical signal processing, including blind signal separation, blind deconvolution, image processing, and applications of numerical Bayesian estimation (MCMC) techniques
Dr. P. Ravi Selvaganapathy
Co-Director (Engineering)
Micro/Nanofabrication; Bioprinting; Biomedical Microdevices; Microelectromechanical Systems; Microfluidics; Medical and Environmental Sensors; Smart Textiles; Biomaterials; Artificial Organs
Dr. Chang-qing Xu
Professor
Department of Engineering Physics
bacterial sensors; biomedical lasers for diagnosis and treatment; periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN); PPLN related devices; lasers (solid, fibre, semiconductor); optical sensors and sub-systems; laser applications
Dr. Rong Zheng
Associate Member
Mobile computing, wireless networking, cyber physical systems, active machine learning
November 30, 2021 / Department News
Associate Dean recognized with two academic fellowships
Steve Hranilovic, professor and associate dean (academic), has been recognized for his significant leadership and research concerning optical wireless systems with two distinguished fellowships.
July 23, 2021 / Department News
Powering a new paradigm
Founded by McMaster Engineering’s Ali Emadi, Enedym aims to supply world’s need for lower cost and more sustainable electric motors.
June 28, 2021 / Department News
NSERC awards 14 McMaster Engineering researchers
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has awarded 11 McMaster Engineering researchers through its Discovery research program, and three others have been awarded funding through the Research Tools and Instruments grants program (RTI) and Joint Canada-Germany Projects
June 15, 2021 / Department News
McMaster announces ten new Canada Research Chairs
Ten new researchers across three faculties have been named new Canada Research Chairs, a prestigious honour created to promote Canada’s world class research and development. Three additional researchers have had their chairs renewed or advanced.
November 12, 2020 / Department News
Computing and software graduate creates technology to make web more accessible for blind users
Information online needs to be made more accessible for visually impaired users, especially in a time where virtual spaces are used more than ever – that's the mission behind Guy Meyer’s research.
October 29, 2020 / Department News
The safest, smartest COVID reopening plan
Researchers from McMaster Engineering are working on a way to guide decisions on reopening cities, businesses and other large operations during and after the pandemic. Read the latest project feature of Wael El-Dakhakhni and Zoe Li's project, CityDNA.
September 24, 2020 / Department News
Simulating virus spread risk and campus reopening using network science
Researchers Zoe Li and Wael El-Dakhakhni have received support from McMaster’s COVID-19 Research Fund to apply their digital twinning system to simulate reopening scenarios for McMaster’s campus. Hear more on the latest Big Ideas for a Changing World podcast episode.
August 21, 2020 / Department News
Students in Automation Engineering Technology helping the Hamilton Fire Department develop a digital, smart systems roadmap
Smart technology is changing the world in many ways and has the potential to improve how firefighters access information in the field. To take advantage of these technologies, cities require infrastructure to receive and process vast amounts of data.
August 14, 2020 / Department News
Researchers investigate a growing case for distributed smart systems and AI to reduce flooding in cities
As our global climate changes, extreme weather events are growing in frequency in many places, including Southern Ontario. Ontario municipalities experience heavier rainfalls and more extreme storms that frequently overwhelm their sewer infrastructure.
June 8, 2020 / Department News
Can Smart Technology Improve How Patients Recover from Wounds?
In partnership with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH), professors with the W Booth School are exploring if smart technology can help the healing and treatment of patient’s wounds.
June 2, 2020 / Department News
McMaster civil engineers win Roche Canada COVID-19 Open Innovation Challenge
A project led by Zoe Li and Wael El-Dakhakhni received funding to further their research project, CityDNA, which can support decision makers in re-opening municipal facilities during COVID-19.
April 22, 2020 / Department News
McMaster startup partners with Hamilton grocery store to pilot temperature screening technology for COVID-19
Local businesses have one more way to keep customers and employees safe from COVID-19, thanks to technology developed by a Hamilton start-up with tight ties to McMaster.
March 30, 2020 / Department News
Students leverage big data to track the spread of COVID-19
Maanav Dalal, a second year software engineering student at McMaster, is part of a team of more than 25 students who are working on FLATTEN.ca, a free online platform that helps to track the spread of COVID-19.
March 12, 2020 / Department News
This isn’t your grandfather’s factory
In the first year of the Bachelor of Technology program, every student is given the opportunity to get exposed to Industry 4.0 without leaving campus.
November 28, 2019 / Department News
McMaster professor’s influential contributions honoured
Electrical & Computer Engineering professor Shiva Kumar has been elected as has been elected Fellow of the Optical Society (FOSA).
October 30, 2019 / Department News
Engineering researchers take a novel approach to cybersecurity
Computing and Software researchers develop novel approach to security
September 30, 2019 / Department News
What makes Mac Eng students stand out? We asked Canada's largest telecom provider
As employer of the week, Rogers mentored students on branding themselves and preparing for the career of their lives.
August 15, 2019 / Department News
Students in M.Eng. Design program apply machine learning and data analytics to aquaponics farming
Jingpeng Zhai, a student in the Master of Engineering Design program with the W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology has been working in a team of three with their client to design a process to help demonstrate the viability of a indoor aquaponics farming in Canada.
June 13, 2019 / Department News
ECE professor helps open TSX
“Working with Patriot One to develop PATSCAN continues to be an exceptional opportunity. We are excited about deploying this breakthrough concealed weapons detection technology so we can protect people’s lives.” - Natalia Nikolova
April 10, 2019 / Department News
McMaster Engineering announces new faculty appointments spring 2019
We are pleased to announce the following new appointments to the Faculty of Engineering.
March 1, 2019 / Department News
McMaster engineers create a fireproof sensor to track firefighters, miners, oil workers in high-risk situations
The sensor can track the movement and location of a person in a burning building, a mineshaft or other hazardous environment, alerting someone outside if the movement ceases.
January 4, 2019 / Department News
McMaster Engineering announces new faculty appointments
We are pleased to announce the following new appointments to the Faculty of Engineering.
November 26, 2018 / Department News
Fresh Faces: Li Xi
In 2013, Li Xi landed his dream job as Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at McMaster. In his Fresh Faces spotlight he discusses his upbringing in Suzhou, China, the rewards of connecting with students and decoding experiments on polymer materials.
November 7, 2018 / Department News
Engineering Tomorrow's Military Successes
As they explore the cutting-edge of materials, microscopy and biomedical engineering, McMaster researchers are making discoveries that promise to keep Canadian troops safer and healthier in years to come.
October 31, 2018 / Department News
Computing and Software research team wins IBM Project of the Year Award
McMaster’s Computing and Software associate professor, Christopher Anand and his research team have won the IBM Centre for Advanced Studies Project of the Year Award.
October 19, 2018 / Department News
Fresh Faces: Fei Chiang
Welcome to Fresh Faces. In this series, we’re highlighting over 40 engineering faculty members, all hired in the last five years, who are doing interesting and innovative things in the lab and the classroom.
October 1, 2018 / Department News
Fresh Faces: Jennifer Bauman
Welcome to Fresh Faces. In this series, we’re highlighting over 40 engineering faculty members, all hired in the last five years, who are doing interesting and innovative things in the lab and the classroom.
July 18, 2018 / Department News
Fresh Faces: Rong Zheng
Welcome to Fresh Faces. In this series, we’re highlighting 43 Engineering faculty members, all hired within the last five years, who are doing interesting and innovative things in the lab and the classroom.
April 17, 2018 / Department News
Big Ideas: Nurturing the Entrepreneurial Spirit
Innovative start-up aims to change the data centre landscape.
April 10, 2018 / Department News
The (Big) Idea: Integrate Education and Research with Innovation and Community
All of us have experienced disruption due to rapid innovation. Think here of recent discussions, successes and failures around artificial intelligence, fintech, autonomous vehicles, cryptocurrencies and even reusable satellite launch platforms.
April 3, 2018 / Department News
McMaster capstone projects solve a range of real-world problems
From automating gel manicures, to preventing the spread of diseases amongst drug users, to helping visually impaired people cross the street safely, this year’s capstone projects aim to solve a wide range of real-world problems.
March 1, 2018 / Department News
Study shows smartphones harm the environment
Data centres and smartphones will be the most damaging information and communications technologies to the environment by 2040, according to new research from W Booth School’s Lotfi Belkhir.
February 27, 2018 / Department News
Vector Institute names two Biomedical Engineering students to inaugural Postgraduate Affiliate program
Two McMaster PhD students and one postdoctoral fellow have been named to the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence’s Postgraduate Affiliate program.
January 30, 2018 / Department News
McMaster Engineering Strikes a Chord at UofTHacks
Two McMaster Engineering students and best friends win the Actions Google Challenge at the UofTHacks event with a new music teacher application.
December 1, 2017 / Department News
Transforming Technology
Leaders in Artificial Intelligence Gather for McMaster.AI Workshop
November 17, 2017 / Department News
7 Engineering Startups to Watch
In honour of Global Entrepreneurship Week, a celebration of innovators and job creators who are changing the world, we’re spotlighting 7 McMaster Engineering startups to watch.
March 8, 2017 / Department News
Five young women in Engineering to watch
In recognition of International Women's Day, which celebrates and recognizes the achievements of women, as well as promoting gender equality, McMaster Engineering is highlighting five top female student leaders.
October 10, 2017 / Department News
Improving Data Quality
For Fei Chiang and her research group, it's all about ensuring the quality of the data.
September 13, 2017 / Department News
McMaster earns gold standard for integrating industry software into engineering curriculum
McMaster University was recently recognized for integrating industry software and skills into engineering curriculum with a PACE Gold Certification award. McMaster is one of a few universities outside of the U.S. to receive the prestigious award.
September 12, 2017 / Department News
Learning Factory at W Booth School Delivers for Edson Packaging
A global leader in high performance packaging equipment has turned to the W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology as a select partner in innovation.
August 16, 2017 / Department News
McMaster engineer works with NASA to develop medical emergency simulator
Doyle is among a team of experts from Harvard and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, who worked with NASA to build an immersive simulator to run medical emergencies that could happen in deep space.
August 15, 2017 / Department News
Engineering researchers receive $1.9 million in federal funding
Six McMaster researchers have been awarded more than $1.9 million combined for infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
July 25, 2017 / Department News
McMaster researcher to “clean” big data
A Dynamic and Scalable Data Cleaning System for Watson Analytics
October 8, 2015 / Department News
In Conversation with Dr. Rong Zheng
An Interview with Dr. Rong Zheng
May 3, 2017 / Department News
McMaster Engineering: Data Dreams
Meet Hatim Rehman, an undergraduate computer software engineering student. Our team of engineering students, faculty and staff are pioneering new technologies to make data servers run more efficiently by building them in a streamlined, smarter way.
November 16, 2015 / Department News
Researcher Profile: Fei Chiang on Big Data at McMaster
Fei Chiang, Assistant Professor, Department of Computing & Software talks about her research on big data at McMaster.
July 17, 2017 / Department News
McMaster Engineering welcomes nine new faculty
"With the addition of our new faculty members, we will continue to strengthen our reputation as one of the top engineering schools in Canada and worldwide while building a brighter world." -Ishwar K. Puri, Dean of Engineering
July 4, 2017 / Department News
Researchers improve data centres
A McMaster University research centre has a received a near $1 million grant to create a smart system that monitors the vital signs of data centres, saving companies energy, labour time, and money.
June 6, 2017 / Department News
Grad student wins 2 awards in Hawaii!
First Place and Audience Choice Award winner Daniel Tajik.
September 22, 2016 / Department News
Eng Phys Student Spends Summer at Nasa
Eng Phys & Society student, Mitchell Kurnell has been living the dream, while working at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
April 13, 2016 / Department News
Eng Phys Annual Capstone Expo
Eng Phys' annual end of year Capstone projects were on full display.
March 15, 2016 / Department News
NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award Recipients
Congrats to all of our amazing undergrads!
March 2, 2016 / Department News
Eng Phys’ Chair One of Two Researchers Across Canada to Acquire Two Grants from NSERC
Dr. Ray LaPierre receives Strategic Partnership Grants from NSERC
February 4, 2016 / Department News
A successful first Research Information Night!
Many thanks to the faculty, staff, graduate, and undergraduate students for making our department’s first Research Information Night a success!
November 13, 2015 / Department News
Dr. Peter Mascher Awarded an Honorary Professorship at Nanjing Tech University
Congrats Peter!
May 28, 2015 / Department News
Moving data at the speed of light
Ph.D. student Jason Ackert develops a novel photodetector.
February 26, 2015 / Department News
#TBT to that time Dr. LaPierre was on the Discovery Channel
Dr. LaPierre's appearance on G Word on Planet Green.
November 25, 2014 / Department News
Adjunct Professor Honoured with International Prize
Dr. Pavel Cheben wins International Prize of the Slovak Academy of Sciences
March 19, 2014 / Department News
Engineering Physics and McMaster Create a Joint Venture with Jiangsu Delin Environment Protection Co.
McMaster launches a joint venture to tackle the most challenging task in water pollution monitoring: online detection of water-borne bacteria
November 13, 2013 / Department News
Eng Phys Represents at the 2013 Nano Ontario Conference
Congratulations to Sandra Gibson for placing third in this year's conference!
June 26, 2013 / Department News
Soleymani, Nagasaki, and Turak Part of $1M Infrastructure Expansion
More than $1M for infrastructure to expand and enhance labs.
March 1, 2012 / Department News
Douglas R. Colton Medal for Research Excellence
Dr. Leyla Soleymani wins a medal for research excellence.