Welcome to the official web presence of Prof. Gregory H. Huff's research group (a.k.a. Huff Research Group).

My research program is built around the premise that innovation is a hands-on activity. We leverage creativity and technical expertise to apply this philosophy and take our transformative concepts in engineering, art, science, and technology from theory into practice.

Major Research Thrusts

Bio-Inspired Engineering

Learning From Nature

Nature is full of game-changing feats of engineering. Our work in biologically inspired antenna and systems engineering is interdisciplinary, and focused on both the study of biological systems and functional translation (application) of these concepts to tackle complex engineering problems.

Multifunctional Technologies

Operational Integration

There are many opportunities to consolidate a range of operational modalities into a single device, platform, or system. Multifunctionality for us provides a means to examine aerodynamically-functionalized antennas and other concepts which enable the radiating structure to take on additional roles in sensing, load-bearing, and system integration.

...configurable

Functional Polymorphism

The terms reconfigurable and superconfigurable refer to the ability to control reversible changes to one (recon-) or multiple (super-) operational characteristics. In this context, we engineer reconfigurable antenna systems to change radiation and/or impedance behavior, and superconfigurable systems with electromagnetic agility, thermal regulation, structural polymorphism, and other adaptive traits.

Autonomous Unmanned Systems (UAS)

Cognitive Coexistence

Research in autonomous systems requires a multi-scale and multidisciplinary approach. We embrace this all-encompassing concept in our work by examining autonomous vehicle concepts for air, ground, and water applications, morphing clusters and partitioning in random arrays, and distributed sensing/localization in complex environments.

HRG Personnel

The research work-flow in HRG is executed by a talented line-up of engineers, scientists, and artists. We seek to perpetually improve the creative and intellectual processes that hone our multidisciplinary craft, and gladly take on the most challenging projects to showcase our expertise in applied electromagnetics, biological engineering, materials science, and autonomous systems. (Full list with HRG Alumni coming soon)

Gregory H. Huff
Associate Professor
David L. Rolando
Ph.D. Candidate
jeffry S. Jensen
Ph.D. Candidate
Franklin J. Drummond
Ph.D. Candidate
Joel D. Barrera
Ph.D. Candidate
Michael S. Kelley
Ph.D. Candidate
Shuli Li
Ph.D. Candidate
Taahir Ahmed
M.S. Candidate
David T. Grayson
M.S. Candidate
Hong Pan
M.S. Candidate

Sponsorship, Collaboration, and Partnership

The research and educational activities of HRG are supported by a diverse collection of government, industry, and academic partners along with a number of scholarship and fellowship programs. We continually strive to be the best stewards of this support any encourage any party interested in teaming with HRG to please contact Prof. Huff.

Laboratory Capabilities and Expertise

We have the laboratory infrastructure and expertise to support a wide variety of activities. Fostering a culture of collaboration, exploration, and pedagogy within the group ensures our skills are widely disseminated, and engaging in a ‘full design cycle’ approach to engineering ensures that we're multifaceted and aware of the newest technologies and trends in design, measurement, and automation.

Demonstration vehicles, test-beds, and prototypes are utilized extensively within HRG for both research and project-based educational activities. This includes the engineering, design, and fabrication of antennas, microfluidic devices, custom microwave calibration fixtures, high power waveguide components, printed circuit boards (PCBs), custom-built unmanned autonomous systems (UAS), and many other items.

Simulation

3D multi-physics (FEM)
3D aerodynamic (FEM) and hydrodynamic (FEM)
3D electromagnetic (FDTD, FEM, MoM, PO, MLFMM, eigenmode)
Frequency domain, time domain, transient, and, hybrid techniques

Fabrication

Mechanical and chemical circuit etching
3D printing, PCB prototyping, and CNC machining
Manual SMD Pick-and-Place with dispensing and batch reflow
Microfluidics, composites, and nano-scale materials

Observation

Vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and oscilloscopes, RF/microwave probe station
Far-field anechoic chamber (antenna, RCS, EMI)
Material measurement and characterization
Thermal imaging and high-def A/V

Analytical modelling, application development, and other algorithmic activities play a complementary role in HRG. We use these to facilitate automation, distributed and non-linear control, responsive behavior, and interactive features. This includes databases, networking, computation, visualization, and cross-platform development on UAS, embedded systems, and smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.