The Warren B. Nelms Institute for the Connected World was established to lead research and education in all aspects of the intelligent connection of things, processes, people, and data that address major world challenges including health, energy, transportation, and manufacturing.
Together with industry, university, and government partners, the Nelms Institute will develop broad, interdisciplinary Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies, applications, and policies to create more secure and connected communities. To fuel the next industrial revolution, the Institute will promote tech transfer, entrepreneurship, policy, education and outreach in IoT and its integral components of sensors, low-power embedded processing, communication, networking, cloud computing, data analytics, machine learning, security, privacy and trust.
Since its inception in 2017, the Warren B. Nelms Institute for the Connected World has worked toward becoming a national leader in the education and research on Internet of Things (IoT) Innovation. Under the leadership of Dr. Swarup Bhunia, Director, and Dr. My T. Thai, Associate Director, the Warren B. Nelms Institute has developed broad IoT technologies and applications to create more secure, efficient, and connected communities.
Thanks to our multi-disciplinary team of 60 expert faculty and leading cohort of over 120 graduate and undergraduate researchers, the institute is exploring new ways to use connected IoT technology to solve major health, energy, transportation, environmental, and manufacturing issues while also remaining focused on the privacy and security of people utilizing smart devices.
With billions of IoT-connected devices already in the world today—and billions more in the coming years—the institute is enabling University of Florida to remain at the forefront of this burgeoning field while creating a critical mass of expertise at the convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and IoT.
At the Warren B. Nelms Institute for the Connected World, we are developing innovative and impactful technologies that improve lives and transform industries. Some examples of IoT research currently being pursued at the institute include a handheld cloud-connected scanner for detecting fake medicine or illegal substances; cloud-controlled electric vehicle charging on the go; “Stick-and-Peel” wearable sensors on the body for health monitoring; a system to provide real-time monitoring for remote construction project job sites; fair and explainable AI for healthcare; and a technology platform for IoT security and data privacy that provides high confidence against security attacks on diverse IoT devices.
Education and workforce development are at the core of the institute’s goals, specifically in supporting education of K-12 students. The Warren B. Nelms Institute for the Connected World has successfully secured more than $5 million in funding for education and preparation of students for careers in Internet of Things (IoT) technology, hardware security, and cybersecurity. Institute researchers have pursued projects including: GenCyber, a hardware security summer camp for high school students; Project HaHa, a hands-on approach to learning computer hardware security using custom-designed Hardware Hacking boards; and CryptoComics, a digital interactive comic book program to engage 3rd- 5th graders in cryptography and cybersecurity.
Additionally, the Warren B. Nelms Institute for the Connected World is the core sponsor of UF-affiliated IoT Students Club. This club helps support the education and involvement of UF students in the field of IoT through workshops, events, mentorship, and more.
The Nelms Institute has become a cornerstone for building industry connections. We are currently working with more than 20 companies and National Labs, including Intel, TI, IBM, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Centauri, Edaptive, Cisco, Discover, Sandia National Labs, and more. We have had several successful technology transitions and start-ups through industry engagement. We are constantly making efforts to build new engagement with companies in many sectors, including automotive, biomedical, and pharmaceutical companies, and we are emphasizing engagement with local companies.
Warren B. Nelms
