Paul

Prucnal

Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering

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Research interests: Photonic switching; fiber-optic networks; optical interconnects

Graphic with text "Commendation for Outstanding Teaching".

Faculty commended for outstanding teaching

Foam board with a pinned grasshopper specimen, with wings extended, and four rows with different colors and shapes of synthetic wings under investigation for flying robots. — A team led by Pierre-Thomas Brun and Aimy Wissa is studying the structures and capabilities of grasshopper wings and flying fish fins. An innovation grant will allow the researchers to test different types of foldable wings and model their performance. Photos by Tori Repp/Fotobuddy

Innovation funds support research in robotics, machine learning, climate resilience and more

Graphic with text "Commendation for Outstanding Teaching".

Faculty commended for outstanding teaching

Graphic with text "Commendation for Outstanding Teaching".

Faculty commended for outstanding teaching

Prismatic graphic with words "Commendation for Outstanding Teaching"

Faculty commended for outstanding teaching

Matrix of fluorescent particles with pores that open and close — Sujit Datta’s research group received funding to develop leaf-inspired soft materials that someday could allow robots to efficiently transfer water and heat. Shown here are microscopic slices at different depths through a mesoporous thermo-responsive hydrogel that will form the basis of artificial leaf stomata that are programmed to dynamically open and close in response to sunlight or heat. Black circles show large voids in the hydrogel structure; white shows fluorescent particles embedded in the hydrogel matrix.

Artificial leaves, floating breakwaters and musical memories are among recipients of 2021 innovation grants

Professor writes on white board while talking with grad student.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Improving human health, energy systems, computing and communications, and security