Research
From its roots fostering the invention of the telephone to the innovation that made the blue LED possible, the Boston University College of Engineering continues to be at the forefront of technology. Today, our research is focused on applying that technology to address some of society's most critical needs.
Our graduate students work alongside our award-winning faculty, directly contributing to their groundbreaking discoveries, such as the genetic "toggle switch" that turns specific cellular functions on and off. We also offer paid research positions for undergraduate students so they, too, can take part in the innovation process.
Culture Of Collaboration
Our students and faculty regularly collaborate with colleagues throughout the College and across the University-from mathematics and physics to medicine, dentistry and management. Our location in Boston-a true technology hot spot-also provides unprecedented opportunities to collaborate with researchers from industry, government and neighboring universities. The interdisciplinary nature of our research encourages discovery and gives students valuable exposure to fields that complement their primary areas of study.
Core Research Strengths
Through interdisciplinary work with researchers inside and outside the College, our faculty has built research strengths in the several core areas. Here are a few examples:
Quality of Life & Living Systems Researchers from our renowned Department of Biomedical Engineering join with colleagues from across the College in research that spans from genomics to neuromuscular function, integrated biomechanics, bioimaging and optics, and bioacoustics - to name a few.
Energy & Sustainability BU engineers are part of the multi-disciplinary clean energy and environmental sustainability effort, and are leading research in solid-state lighting, innovative ways to save energy, green manufacturing and fuel cells, among other areas.
Micro- and Nanosystems The Photonics Center and the Center of Nanosystems & Nanobiology support our research activities in this field, which include the emerging areas of nanobiotechnology, nanometer-scale engineering, and the more mature area of microelectromechanical systems, as well as tiny biomedical devices, among others.
Advanced Materials Every department within the College is engaged in this inherently interdisciplinary field, where our foci include biomaterials, electronic and photonic materials, materials for energy and the environment, and nanomaterials.
Networks and Systems We have established substantial prominence in information and systems engineering of many kinds, including: automation, robotics and control; communications and networking; computational biology; information sciences; and production, service and energy systems.