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Events

• Dec

  6

  ECE Seminar - S. N. (Prem) Piramanayagam

  Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)

  3:00 PM L440, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Neuromorphic computing or brain-inspired computing is considered as a potential solution to overcome the energy inefficiency of the von Neumann architecture for artificial intelligence applications [1-4]. To realize spin-based neuromorphic computing practically, it is essential to design and fabricate electronic analogues of neurons and synapses. An electronic analogue of a synaptic device should provide multiple resistance states. A neuron device should receive multiple inputs and should provide a pulse output when the summation of the multiple inputs exceeds a threshold.
  Our group has been carrying out investigations on the design and development of various synaptic and neuron devices in our laboratory. Domain wall (DW) devices based on magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), where the DW can be moved by spin-orbit torque, are suitable candidates for the fabrication of synaptic and neuron devices [2]. Spin-orbit torque helps in achieving DW motion at low energies whereas the use of MTJs helps in translating DW position information into resistance levels (or voltage pulses) [3]. This talk will summarize various designs of synthetic neurons synaptic elements and materials [4]. The first half of the talk will be at an introductory level, aimed at first-year graduate students. The second half will provide details of the latest research.

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  TIME Friday, December 6, 2024 at 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

  LOCATION L440, Technological Institute    map it

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  CONTACT Catherine Healey    catherine.healey@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)

• Dec

  4

  ECE Seminar - Arthur Montanari

  Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)

  2:00 PM L440, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  The study of flocking in biological systems has identified conditions for self-organized collective behavior, inspiring the development of decentralized strategies to coordinate the dynamics of swarms of drones and other autonomous vehicles. Previous research has focused primarily on identical (or nearly identical) agents, owing to the widely held assumption that inter-individual differences inhibit consensus. In this talk, we challenge this assumption by exploring the role of heterogeneity among agents and demonstrating that suitable inter-individual differences can in fact promote consensus. We show that this counterintuitive effect can be leveraged to improve the performance and stability of various collective tasks, including flock formation, target tracking, and obstacle maneuvering. Finally, we conclude the talk by establishing system disorder as a mechanism to promote collective behavior across a wide variety of systems beyond flocking dynamics.

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  TIME Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

  LOCATION L440, Technological Institute    map it

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  CONTACT Catherine Healey    catherine.healey@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)

• Dec

  7

  Fall classes end

  University Academic Calendar

  All Day

  EVENT DETAILS

  Fall classes end

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  TIME Saturday, December 7, 2024

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  CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

• Dec

  14

  Northwestern Engineering PhD Hooding and Master's Recognition Ceremony

  McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  4:00 PM Pick-Staiger Concert Hall

  EVENT DETAILS

  The ceremony will take place on Saturday, December 14 in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive.

  *No tickets required

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  TIME Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

  LOCATION Pick-Staiger Concert Hall    map it

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  CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science