Engineering Innovations

State of Purdue ECE: AI in the Classroom, Indianapolis Growth, and New Industry Partnerships

Host Kristin Malavenda opens a new season of Engineering Innovations with Purdue ECE head Milind Kulkarni for the annual State of the School update. Kulkarni highlights Purdue ECE’s sustained top-10 rankings, record scale (2,500 undergraduates across West Lafayette and Indianapolis and 1,700 graduate students), and continued expansion in Indianapolis to a junior class. He discusses how AI is reshaping teaching through renewed emphasis on fundamentals (in-class Bluebook exams) and new AI-enabled approaches, including larger design projects and using AI to support ADA accessibility. Student experience is supported through VIP research, an entrepreneurship class with alumni investors, and large-scale opportunities like the 400-student System-on-Chip Design program. New initiatives include an Indianapolis gaming and interactive systems concentration partnered with Microsoft Xbox Game Camp, semiconductor training in the Birck Nanotechnology Center cleanroom, industry-informed AI curriculum updates, an executive MS in AI engineering leadership delivered in Silicon Valley, and Purdue AI Racing’s recent time-trial win and track record.

00:00 Season Kickoff

00:33 State of ECE

01:12 Growth and Indy Campus

02:09 AI in the Classroom

04:03 Accessibility with AI

04:36 Scaling Student Experience

08:25 Hands On Proof

09:34 Indy Gaming with Xbox

12:29 Purdue Computes Focus

15:23 Industry Guides AI Curriculum

17:12 Executive MS in Silicon Valley

20:51 Looking Ahead and Wrap

23:24 Final Thanks

Purdue ECE: http://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE

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Purdue University's Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, founded in 1888, is one of the nation's largest ECE departments and consistently ranks among the best

Utkarsh Singh on Poisson Bolometers and Nanoscale Infrared Detection at Purdue ECE Host Kristin Malavenda interviews Purdue ECE PhD student Utkarsh Singh about his path from New Delhi to Purdue and his research on nanoscale spintronic devices for long-wave infrared (8–14 µm) detection. Singh explains how nanoscale structures exhibit new physics and can enable smaller, lower-power detectors with different, more digital readout behavior than traditional analog infrared sensors. He describes Poisson bolometers, which treat fluctuations between discrete resistance states as a useful noise signal, measuring changes in switching statistics under infrared radiation rather than minimizing noise. The conversation covers applications including surveillance, biomedical imaging, astronomy, and heat-assisted detection and ranging, as well as challenges in fabrication yield, device fragility, and degradation. Singh also discusses PhD realities, advisor support, a rewarding hardware-readout success, and advice on patience, research experience, self-care, and hobbies like music, working out, and traveling.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:50 Early Interest in Engineering

02:06 Choosing ECE Path

02:47 Why Purdue for PhD

03:49 Research Evolves Over Time

05:15 Nanoscale Devices Explained

06:20 Infrared Detection Basics

07:43 Why Nanoscale Matters

08:44 Poisson Bolometer Concept

11:23 Why Better IR Detection

13:04 Infrared Detector Roadmap

13:43 Nanofab Scale Challenges

15:08 Handling and Device Degradation

16:36 Learning From Failure

17:49 PhD Workday Rhythm

18:41 Research Direction Realities

19:48 Advisor Support Style

21:03 Breakthrough Moments

23:10 PhD Advice and Balance 24:30 Hobbies and Wrap Up

Purdue ECE: http://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE

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The Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University is one of the nation's largest and most highly ranked ECE programs. Purdue ECE prepares the next generation of engineers and technology leaders through world-class education and interdisciplinary research that advances semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, communications, computing, microelectronics and more. With strong industry partnerships and a commitment to innovation, Purdue ECE is helping solve some of the world's most pressing technological challenges.

How to Stop Software Disasters Before They Start: Purdue PhD Paschal Amusuo on Formal Verification, Unit Proofing & Zero Trust

In this episode of Engineering Innovations from Purdue ECE, host Kristin Malavenda interviews fifth-year PhD candidate Paschal Amusuo, a Qualcomm Innovation Fellow researching software security with formal verification and runtime defenses. Amusuo shares his path from Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to Purdue and explains how memory-safety bugs—like those behind major outages such as the 2024 CrowdStrike incident—can crash systems or enable attackers to steal or alter data. He describes how formal verification differs from testing by mathematically checking whether any input can cause failure, and how his “unit proofing” approach makes these techniques more accessible to software engineers. He also discusses zero-trust design for third-party software dependencies, daily PhD life, mentorship with advisor James Davis, real-world vulnerability disclosures, and advice for prospective PhD students focused on learning and impact.

Purdue ECE: http://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE

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Purdue University's Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, founded in 1888, is one of the largest ECE departments in the nation and consistently ranks among the best.

Explaining Trustworthy AI & Self-Driving Labs with Purdue PhD Candidate Akshita Kamsali

In this episode of Engineering Innovations from Purdue’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, host Kristin Malavenda interviews fifth-year PhD candidate Akshita Kamsali, who works with Professor Avi Kok on deep learning with a focus on computer vision and natural language processing. Akshita shares how her engineering background and Purdue exchange experience led her to pursue a PhD at Purdue, and how her research evolved from optics to AI. She explains her work on understanding and improving the reliability of deep learning models used in sensitive areas such as medicine and security, and discusses her Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory internship exploring large language models for multimodal “self-driving labs,” emphasizing challenges such as safety, security, transparent object sensing, accuracy, and efficiency. Akshita also reflects on the realities of the PhD journey, advising, and career plans.

Purdue ECE: http://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE

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Purdue University's Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, founded in 1888, is one of the largest ECE departments in the nation and is consistently ranked among the best in the country.

What does it take to turn a big research idea into a real device and a paper in Nature?

In this episode of Engineering Innovations, we talk with Purdue ECE PhD student Connor Devitt about research that could help shape the future of 5G and 6G wireless communication. The conversation explores how tunable chip-scale filters work, why they matter for future mobile networks, and what it was like to push this project from concept to fabrication to publication. Along the way, we also get a look at the day-to-day life of a Purdue ECE PhD student, from lab work and device testing to setbacks, breakthroughs and the long road of research.

Purdue ECE: http://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE

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Purdue University's Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, founded in 1888, is one of the largest ECE departments in the nation and is consistently ranked among the best in the country.

Engineering Innovations: The Internet, but Make it Quantum

Host Kristin Malavenda interviews Purdue ECE associate professor Joseph Luken about engineering “spooky action at a distance” into real technology, including quantum communication networks and the future quantum internet. Luken explains how the quantum internet would transmit qubits and distribute entanglement, why networking is essential for scaling quantum computing and sensing, and why Einstein objected to entanglement until Bell’s later experimental tests supported quantum predictions. He describes quantum key distribution (QKD), how it detects eavesdropping, and how it contrasts with post-quantum cryptography, arguing for pursuing both given the risk of future quantum attacks. Luken discusses recent industry momentum, predicts fault-tolerant quantum computing may arrive within 10 years, and emphasizes integrated photonics as critical to moving quantum systems off optics tables and reducing loss.

Purdue ECE: http://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE

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Purdue University's Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, founded in 1888, is one of the largest ECE departments in the nation and is consistently ranked among the best in the country.

AI and Visual Data Compression: Insights from Purdue ECE Professor Maggie Zhu

In this episode of Engineering Innovations, host Kristin Malavenda explores the fascinating world of visual data compression with Professor Maggie Zhu of Purdue University's Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. They discuss how AI is revolutionizing the efficiency of image and video compression, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and how these advancements impact industries ranging from healthcare to entertainment. Tune in to learn about the latest research and future possibilities in AI-driven compression.

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Purdue University's Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, founded in 1888, is one of the largest ECE departments in the nation and is consistently ranked among the best in the country.

Understanding the Environmental Impact of AI with Dr. Yi Ding

Hosted and produced by Kristin Malavenda

In this episode of Engineering Innovations, host Kristin Malavenda talks to Dr. Yi Ding, an associate professor at Purdue University's Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. They discuss the immense energy consumption of modern AI systems like ChatGPT, which could soon account for up to 12% of US electricity usage. Dr. Ding's research focuses on the broader environmental impacts of AI, including carbon emissions, water consumption, and biodiversity. They delve into how AI models and data centers contribute to these issues and explore strategies for developing sustainable AI systems. Dr. Ding sheds light on policy implications, data transparency, and industry practices that need to change for a more sustainable future. The episode also touches on Dr. Ding's personal journey into this research and her pedagogical approach to mentoring students.

00:00 Introduction to Engineering Innovations

00:14 The Energy Cost of AI

00:32 Meet Dr. Yi Ding

01:00 Understanding AI's Energy Hunger

03:16 Inside Data Centers

04:22 Beyond Energy: Carbon, Water, and Biodiversity

08:26 Dr. Yi Ding's Research Journey

10:32 Balancing Performance and Sustainability

15:00 The Role of Policy and Regulation

16:07 Future of AI and Sustainability

22:18 Mentorship and Personal Insights

27:15 Conclusion and Farewell

Purdue ECE: http://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE

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Purdue University's Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, founded in 1888, is one of the largest ECE departments in the nation and is consistently ranked among the best in the country.

Unpacking Software Supply Chain Security with Dr. Santiago Torres Arias

Hosted and produced by Kristin Malavenda

In this episode of Engineering Innovations, host Kristin Malavenda speaks with Dr. Santiago Torres Arias, an assistant professor at Purdue University's Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The discussion examines the complexities and importance of software supply chain security, exploring the various risks and vulnerabilities present in the modern digital landscape. Dr. Torres Arias shares insights about his research projects, including the in toto framework and the Sigstore project, both designed to protect the integrity of software throughout its development and distribution. He also touches on the interplay between cybersecurity and everyday software use, the role of machine learning, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling these challenges. Finally, they discuss practical advice for both consumers and students in the field of cybersecurity.

00:00 Introduction to Engineering Innovations Podcast

00:58 Understanding the Software Supply Chain

01:52 Dr. Santiago Torres Arias' Journey into Cybersecurity

03:06 The Importance of Cybersecurity in Everyday Life

08:07 In Toto: Securing the Software Development Lifecycle

13:53 The Role of Open Source in Software Security

15:54 Exploring the Evolution of Letters and Software Security

16:29 Introduction to Applied Cryptography

17:47 AI and Machine Learning in Supply Chain Security

19:32 Balancing Technology Use and Security Awareness

20:52 Future Challenges in Supply Chain Security

21:55 Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Research

23:26 Choosing Academia Over Industry

24:37 Qualities of a Good Research Student

25:53 Embracing Failure in Engineering

27:15 A Journey into Engineering

28:27 The Creative Side of Engineering

29:06 Personal Hobbies and Decompression

29:49 Conclusion and Farewell

Purdue ECE: http://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE

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Purdue University's Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, founded in 1888, is one of the largest ECE departments in the nation and is consistently ranked among the best in the country.

Exploring the Future of Electronics with 2D Materials

In this episode of Engineering Innovations, host Kristin Malavenda welcomes Dr. Joerg Appenzeller, the Barry M. and Patricia L. Epstein Professor at Purdue University's Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Dr. Zeller shares his journey from studying physics in Germany to joining Purdue, delving into his fascinating research on two-dimensional (2D) materials. These materials, which are just one atom thick, have potential applications in transistors, memory, and interconnects, promising to revolutionize electronics. Dr. Zeller explains the unique properties of 2D materials, their advantages over traditional materials like silicon, and their expected adoption timeline. Additionally, he discusses the importance of interdisciplinary work, students' involvement in innovative research, and the hands-on training provided at Purdue. Tune in to learn how these groundbreaking materials could shape the future of technology.

Hosted and produced by Kristin Malavenda

00:00 Introduction to Engineering Innovations Podcast

01:01 Meet Dr. Yorg Zeller: From Germany to Purdue

05:16 Understanding 2D Materials

07:37 Graphene and Its Impact

09:21 Applications of 2D Materials in Electronics

12:35 Challenges and Future of 2D Materials

20:39 Student Involvement and Research

30:48 Career Paths and Personal Insights

36:42 Reflecting on Teaching and Student Engagement

38:07 Introduction to Engineering Innovations Podcast

01:01 Journey to Purdue and Research in 2D Materials

05:16 Understanding 2D Materials and Their Applications

09:21 Challenges and Future of 2D Materials

20:39 Student Involvement and Research Impact

30:48 Career Paths and Personal Insights

35:01 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up