Research Laboratories

A.   VLSI Research Laboratory

VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) Research Lab. (now Digital System Design Lab) is equipped with modern test equipment, Logic Analyzer, Various FPGA (Field programmable Gate Array) based research boards from Xilinx Inc., USA, DSP (Digital Signal Processor) Evaluation Modules from Texas Instruments, USA, EDA tools like Code Composer Studio from Texas Instruments, USA, MATLAB from Mathworks Inc., USA, ISE Design Suite from Xilinx Inc., USA, Comsol Multiphysics from Comsol Inc., USA, Mentor Graphics’ Design, Test and Verification Package, a High Performance Computing Machine and three workbenches containing latest PCs with accessories. This laboratory caters for research in the area of signal processing system development for applications like speech recognition, data communication, smart grid technology, medical devices etc. and their implementation on FPGA, DSP or single board computers.

B.   Smart Grid Research Laboratory

A Smart Grid Research Laboratory has been established at 2nd Floor, Natural Science Building (old wing), Department of Physics. A micro-grid of De Lorenzo, USA has been setup that can mimic electrical grid and is first in the Caribbean region to provide training in the area of Smart Grid Technology. This Micro-grid is being used to carry out research in the area of Smart Grid Technology and understanding integration challenges of renewable energy sources with our local electric grid. Laboratory is equipped with state of art test & measurement equipment, high-power computing facility, power system analysis tools and smart sensors / hardware. Smart Grid lab. is being used for research projects / lab. experiments of M.Sc. Renewable Energy Technology, Major / Minor in Electronics, MA Sc. and B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering students.

C.   Microbial Fuel Cell Research Laboratory

To fulfill the increasing demand of energy as well as to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, sustainable and clean energy systems are needed. Most of the countries including Trinidad and Tobago are looking for Carbon – Neutral ways to generate energy from waste and Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) seems to be one of the alternative. MFCs are living, galvanic electrochemical systems in which the anoxic activity of microorganisms on waste matter generates electrons and cations and hence electricity. We are doing experimental work on designing and optimizing MFC prototype for its applications towards clean and sustainable energy generation, wastewater treatment, oil spill remediation or some other bio-remediated activities. The inter – comparison of these systems based on models to be implemented using Matlab and COMSOL Multiphysics software packages is also being done.

Microbial fuel cell laboratory has been established at 3rd floor of natural science building (old wing), Department of Physics. Laboratory is equipped with various MFC reactors, BOD/COD spectrometer (HACH DR3900), Hioki LR8450 data logger, Sciencetech 850e Fuel cell testing system , advanced pH meter, industrial grade furnaces, impedance spectrometer and high power computing facilities with MATLAB and COMSOL MultiPhysics .