Recent Technical Activities of CenBRAIN Neurotech Center of Excellence

Recently, the CenBRAIN Neurotech Center of Excellence in collaboration with the Westlake Master Forum and the IEEE-CASS Westlake University Student Branch Chapter, successfully hosted six high-level academic lectures within just one month. These lectures covered a wide range of topics, from biosensors and photoacoustic imaging to chip design and the application of AI in healthcare. Additionally, we welcomed Professor Honggui Li from Yangzhou University and Professor Ibrahim Elfadel from Khalifa University, UAE. During their visiting, they engaged in in-depth discussions with our team members, fostering collaborative research in the field of biomedical engineering.

On July 24^th, the 242nd Westlake Master Forum was hosted by Professor Mohamad Sawan, Professor Chenzhong Li from Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) was invited to give a talk at Westlake University. He introduced intelligent bio-optoelectronics and biosensing systems, as well as their applications in fields such as healthcare, environmental protection, wellness, and food safety. Additionally, Professor Li showcased their team's multiple application scenarios for wearable multimodal intelligent sensing systems aimed at daily health monitoring. For instance, there are intelligent systems designed to prevent falls in the elderly, as well as quick and sensitive HPV test for in-home use.

On August 1^st, CenBRAIN Neurotech Center of Excellence planned a half-day seminar event to kick off the debut of the IEEE-CASS Westlake University Student Branch Chapter.

The IEEE Circuits and Systems Society (CASS) Westlake University Student Branch Chapter is an international student organization. Under the guidance of Chair Professor Mohamad Sawan, Founding Director of the CenBRAIN Neurotech Center of Excellence, the chapter is dedicated to fostering student innovation and collaboration in advancing interdisciplinary research in circuits and systems.

The seminar commenced with a welcome message from Chair Professor Mohamad Sawan, followed by a brief chapter talk by Ph.D. candidate Jinbo Chen, the Student Branch Chapter Chair, who provided an overview of the chapter’s formation and its future goals. This event invited three professors to share their latest research contributions in AI applications and AI computing chip design. Professor Honggui Li from Yangzhou University was invited to attend the seminar and participate in related academic discussions.

Prof. Amara Amara from Beihang International Campus discussed the application of artificial intelligence in enhancing healthcare systems in developing countries, focusing on the use of AI to automate the coaching of healthcare workers, and the development and application of the malaria early warning system. These innovative applications demonstrate AI's immense potential in improving healthcare services and public health.

Prof. Wei Mao from Xidian University provided an overview of designing high-performance AI computing chips. By integrating AI, circuits, and systems (CAS), he presented numerous valuable works, including the multi-throughput low-power RISC-V-based edge intelligence system, high-dynamic-range CIM arrays, and various high-performance processors.

Prof. Yongfu Li from Shanghai Jiao Tong University introduced IEEE DataPort and tech innovation through open data and contests with using IEEE DataPort. He highlighted its role in accelerating research and industrial development through open-source data access and collaborative design contests.

The successful hosting of this seminar has built a new platform for academic exchanges in the field of circuits and systems. It demonstrated the relentless efforts of the IEEE-CASS Westlake University Student Branch Chapter in pursuing academic excellence and research collaboration.

On August 8^th, Professor Ibrahim Elfadel from Khalifa University, UAE, addressed an engaging lecture on “On the Design of a Wearable Device for Continuous Body Weight Monitoring” at Westlake University. He introduced the Khalifa University and showcasedan impressive, fully wearable device that integrates with footwear for continuous body weight monitoring. Then, he explained the design principle of this “weight monitoring shoe” and its potential application in the field of health monitoring.

On August 13^th, Professor Biqin Dong from Fudan University gave a lecture on Nanophotonics and its applications and perspectives in optical sensing and imaging. Prof. Dong gave an in-depth explanation on the application of optical imaging and modulation in neuroscience, and the development prospect of intelligent medical optical imaging technology. He also introduced the vision of all-optical closed loop neuroscience research, including deeply linking animal behavior, neural recording and neural manipulation, giving the audience a deeper understanding of biomedical optical imaging technology.

The CenBRAIN Neurotech Center of Excellence is wholeheartedly dedicated to providing students with rich opportunities for knowledge sharing and experience exchange. These invaluable experiences not only broaden students' horizons but also ignite their enthusiasm and creativity in interdisciplinary research, driving the continuous advancement of cutting-edge research in the field of Biomedical Engineering.