Research
http://www.javvin.com/protocolsuite.html
The Javvin Company offers this online Network Protocol Suite Directory and Index. A network protocol is made up of "a formal set of rules, conventions and data structure that governs how computers exchange information over a network." This compiled online database is handy given that these protocols are defined by various organizations and technology vendors. The database organizes the protocols according to their key functions or their origin/sponsors, but the listing can be viewed alphanumerically by protocol name. The website also provides information on Javvin's products. Visitors can get a free a protocol network map poster by contributing to the protocol dictionary. [VF]
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is "the leading global organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies." Electrotechnologies include electronics, magnetics and electromagnetics, electroacoustics, multimedia, telecommunication, and energy production and distribution. The standards are developed so that "a component or system manufactured to IEC standards and manufactured in country A can be sold and used in countries B through to Z." The website provides a brief introduction to the IEC conformity assessment schemes (used to assure customers of product quality) and highlights other resources. For example, a selection from the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV), which is available for purchase in print as a series or as a CD-ROM, is posted here. Access to the database on Graphical Symbols for Use on Equipment as well as the database containing graphical symbols for use in electrotechnical diagrams requires a paid subscription. Many features of the website seem to be posted specifically for members of IEC Technical Committees and Subcommittees; however, visitors may view a list of IEC patent declarations or browse the posted requests for approval, meeting documents, and IEC reports. Also of interest are the Zones, which address issues such as approaches to color management, electromagnetic compatibility, achieving functional safety, and alternative energies. An overview of the International System of Units, or SI, is also available. [VF]
http://www.dirc.org.uk/index.php
The Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration in Dependability (DIRC) is a joint effort among researchers from five British Universities and various disciplines "to address the dependability of computer-based systems." They define dependability broadly to encompass many facets of dependability, including reliability, security and availability. Their use of the term "computer-based systems" is also intended to emphasize the involvement of human participants and the inclusion of disciplines such as sociology and psychology as well as computer scientists and statisticians. Their work is organized into five Research Themes (Structure, Diversity, Timeliness, Responsibility and Risk), each of which is described here. Their projects are described on this website, along with a list of the people and partners involved and a selection of publications available to download, such as conference papers and technical reports. A Publications section also makes it easy to search the database by author or browse by publication type or project activity. [VF]
http://wise-nano.org/w/Main_Page
The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology's (CRN) Wise-Nano project is "a collaborative website to study the facts and implications of advanced nanotechnology." The website is designed for researchers and intended to encourage collaboration worldwide and "to build an understanding of the technologies, their effects, and what to do about them." From this website, visitors can ask and answer questions, join or start a project, create, review, edit, or expand on articles, contribute to discussions, or find collaborators for research. The website offers an innovative approach to promote dialogue on hot topics in nanotechnology. Basically, someone poses a question and proposes a project to investigate, people gather to work on the project, which leads to articles. Although articles can also be added separately from any project, the point is that "any user can work to improve any article." For example, the main page highlights current "hot debates," which are then presented in an editable format that allows readers to make changes to the interactive articles directly online. Ultimately, this leads to a series of white papers, K-16 curricula, and other documents as well as, ideally, inspiring new projects. [VF]
http://www.cs.washington.edu/ai/Mobile_Robotics/index.html
The Robotics and State Estimation Lab at the University of Washington is "interested in the development of embedded computing systems that interact autonomously with their environment in an intelligent way." The lab investigates probabilistic methods and their application to mobile robotics in order to "develop rich yet efficient methods for representing uncertainty and for reasoning under uncertainty." They evaluate these methods through application in mobile robot localization, map building, exploration, and multi-robot collaboration. Their work includes an evaluation of the CentiBots Project (see MET Report, May 9, 2003), which is posted here. Visitors are invited to view several animations illustrating particle filters and their extensions used in the study of state estimation and learning in areas such as people tracking and high-level activity recognition. Descriptions and video footage provide a nice overview of the lab's projects, such as RoboCup, Ubiquitous computing, Mapping and Exploration, and Museum Tour-guide Robots. Publications, which include reports, articles, book chapters, and workshop presentations, can be viewed and downloaded from the project pages or within the Publications section. [VF]
http://www-aig.jpl.nasa.gov/public/mls/
The Machine Learning Systems (MLS) Group at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory conducts basic and applied research with a focus on finding "software solutions to hard problems requiring data mining, knowledge discovery, pattern recognition, and automated classification and clustering." In particular, they are building systems based on learning algorithms to be applied in the analysis of scientific data generated by NASA and JPL instruments and to develop technologies relevant for adaptive systems and autonomous spacecraft. Projects on bioinformatics, multi-angle imaging, and data transmission are described here. Several research papers are also available to download. [VF]
http://www.mathsoft.com/mathresources/problems/
Mathsoft is a company offering consulting services and products to "help organizations create manageable engineering information." The Mathsoft Resources section includes an "eclectic" collection of unsolved mathematics problems and a series of Math Constants Essays. The essays reflect the organization's fascination with the appearance of certain constants, which "echo throughout mathematics, in seemingly independent ways." The site discusses how these constants from various subdisciplines of mathematics characterize the structure of mathematics, "just as physical constants provide 'boundary conditions' for the physical universe." They also offer a selection of links to websites with statistics, engineering and math resources. [VF]
The Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems (MITACS) is a Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE) for the Mathematical Sciences in Canada. The organization's work focuses on "the imperatives of research, education and technology transfer" applied to "the fastest growing sectors of the nation's economy." Currently, its work involves developing mathematical solutions in the areas of Biomedical & Health, Environment & Natural Resources, Information Processing, Risk & Finance, and Communication, Networks & Security. The website describes each of these Scientific Programmes and provides a link to the project website, where the publications resulting from its work are posted. The website is also available in French. [VF]
