Recent events have renewed our dedication in the College of Engineering to develop technologies, processes, systems, and solutions that impact people positively.  Following the tragic events of September 11, the College of Engineering compiled information about on-going projects related to security technology so that we could make our people and research results available to those who might request or be able to use assistance.  We are anxious to roll up our sleeves and contribute to the nation's efforts to make our country as safe as possible from terrorist threats.

Although I knew that we had research in progress related to security technology, I was surprised to discover just how extensive our security technology work is.  At the University of Illinois, we have approximately $30 million of research in progress to address security technology issues.  The work includes specific projects, such as sensors to detect chemical or biological threats in air or water and materials and systems to make buildings safer, as well as research in counter-cyberterrorism, face recognition, aircraft safety, infrastructure safety, and many other areas.

Comparative data from other institutions are not available, but I suspect that our work on security technology is more extensive than any other university in the United States.

We have initiated a Program for Security Technology to promote discussion among our researchers and to contribute to solving important problems.  I have made $500,000 available to assist in addressing today's most pressing problems.  For example, we have provided funds to upgrade a key chemical research laboratory to enable testing on anthrax.  We will fund research for which a modest investment will enable extension of existing project—so that these projects can address key security issues that represent immediate threats.

Our security technology work is focused in five key areas:

• Security of buildings and structures

• Aircraft security and safety

• Cyber security

• Chemical and biological agents

• Local threats (schools, post offices, bridges, power plants, and so forth)

We have already provided input to the engineering and architectural teams working on a large high-rise building in an effort to make this structure the safest possible structure for protecting people from terrorist threats of all types and the best possible structure for rescue workers to enter.  Our work involves innovative evaluation of fire safety issues, sensor technology to provide powerful and reliable information about security threats, air and water systems that employ design configurations and sensing/treatment systems to make them as safe as possible, and other security systems.

Our researchers, when teamed with design professionals, have proven to be highly effective in bringing fresh input from the frontiers of research to real projects being designed today.  This is a superb example of how researchers who have a keen sense of where technology is—and soon will be—can contribute in significant ways to practical problems that are very important to us all. 

In future issues of Engineering Outlook, we will tell you more about our security technology work.  I am very proud of our faculty and students and of their dedication to enhancing our nation's security and safety.

David E. Daniel
Dean, College of Engineering