It seems incomplete to talk about powerful breakthroughs of the 21st century without the mention of IoT. The arrival of IoT, the Internet of Things, has brought path breaking innovation, robust products, and cutting edge technology. It has made its way to headline leading tech magazines, gained the spotlight at start-up conventions, and, most importantly, generated an idea that will likely revolutionize the way we live. Who would have ever thought that a car would actually drive itself or that you could track your heartrate on your mobile phone, or, even better, detect an earthquake and alert your entire household in time to act?
In the world of waves and clouds a fundamental component is the “how” of deployment. Aatmesh Shrivastava, Assistant Professor at Northeastern’s College of Engineering currently leads the Energy Circuits and Systems Group (ECS) that performs research focused on self-powered and ultra-low power circuits and systems for IoT. Basically, the HoW behind IoT.
Powering Smart IoT
A major player in the field of circuit design, ECS is currently working to solve the “power issue” that constricts the ubiquitous deployment of IoT devices. IoT finds its basis in being wireless and thus relies upon batteries. However, batteries drive up cost and drive down efficiency thereby creating the infamous “power issue.” ECS seeks to solve this problem through energy-harvesting and power-first system/computer architecture. The group also focuses on ultra-low power bio-medical and neural circuits, exascale computing, and high-reliability circuits and system design.
Shrivastava facilitates the research happening in the space of IoT. A doer, visionary, and facilitator, he strongly believes his research directly impacts the world within which we live. Take smart systems for example: smart systems not only collect data based on sensing the environment, but also make predictive and adaptive decisions. Shrivastava remarks, “My research on ultra-low power circuits and signals makes it possible to realize smart systems for applications where it has traditionally not been possible to realize smart systems due to power consumption and device size.” His work truly makes a once static reality come alive.
Powering Partnership
With the work done at ECS providing a platform for the release of applications based on IoT, collaboration seems inevitable. The field of IoT needs low powered circuits, and low powered circuits find their biggest application in devices made for IoT. Partnering and collaborating is essential in this case, and Shrivastava does not shy away from it. He says, “Industry participates heavily in the research on ultra-low power circuits and system. Texas Instruments, ADI, Maxim Integrated, Intel, NVIDIA, among others are continuously developing next generation low power devices. I have maintained an active collaboration with these companies.”
When asked how collaboration becomes a reality, he states: “I provide regular updates to my connections at these sites.” Open communication and follow-through are critical to the success of Shrivastava’s partnerships.
Asked about flourishing partnerships, he exclaims, “Texas Instruments.” “Texas Instruments has been my best partnership,” he says, continuing, “My research lines up well with their current business focus and me being a former TI-er helps as well.” With a record of prosperous partnerships, Shrivastava is eager to expand collaborations, partnering with those of any size, from start-ups to multinationals.
Shrivastava’s partnering philosophy lies in updating, educating, and advancing the world of ultra-low power circuits. He aggressively propels his research by being attuned to industry needs and discovering novel solutions. Shrivastava finds inspiration in inventing, finds joy in creating. He finds happiness in making revolutionary technology readily available.
He is a facilitator realizing the power of IoT for all.
Learn more about Aatmesh Shrivastava’s research.
View his IoT+5G @ Northeastern Presentation.
Written by Divya Parikh.