Here at FIU, we know that inventiveness isn’t just about creating new technologies; it’s about solving real problems that matter. It’s why our university ranks not just in the Top 30 among public universities in utility patents; we are also among the Top 20 Most Impactful Universities in the world, according to the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
Today, I would like to share with you a few highlights about how our inventiveness as a college is helping us tackle some of society’s greatest challenges. Here are just some of the impactful, novel technologies that our College of Engineering and Computing is producing. The patented technologies below all have a common theme: They are applying AI to solve global challenges.
AI-Powered Video Security Protects Public Spaces
FIU researchers are bolstering public safety with AI technology that identifies suspicious activity in video footage. The innovative system was developed by Professors M. Hadi Amini and Naphtali Rishe through research supported by the Criminal Investigations and Network Analysis Center, which is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence.
The technology processes surveillance video in real-time, detecting anomalies like explosions. The system then alerts human operators via a visualization dashboard. Recently selected for participation in the Homeland Security Startup Studio 2025, the invention shows significant potential for commercialization.
“Our system dramatically reduces response time and enhances anomaly detection accuracy in critical situations,” Amini says. “We’re particularly excited about its potential to increase security and public safety in crowded environments, such as airports and schools.”
Digital Forensics Tracks Down Cryptocurrency Activity
FIU researchers have developed a novel digital forensic technology to help law enforcement quickly scan devices for cryptocurrency-related content. The patented system, led by Professor Kemal Akkaya, uses artificial intelligence to detect crypto wallet apps, transaction records and other digital artifacts—like cryptocurrency-related pictures, videos and browsing history—in minutes rather than hours.
“We’re addressing a critical challenge for law enforcement agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) by creating a tool that can analyze terabytes of data in just a couple of minutes,” Akkaya says. “We liked this research because it was about addressing a practical problem, and after we conducted our research, we also needed to build a product to transition this research into practice. You don’t always get to build a real product at the end of your research.”
The innovation emerged from FIU’s Center for Advanced Research in Forensic Science (CARFS), an Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC), funded by the National Science Foundation, where researchers collaborate with industry and government partners to address real-world needs.
Armin Mehrabi, Denny John, Sohail Mohammed
Achievement Spotlight: FIU Inventors Earn Recognition
FIU College of Engineering and Computing Associate Professor Armin Mehrabi and Postdoctoral Associates Denny John and Sohail Mohammed were named Senior Members by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) last month.
John and Mohammed conduct research at FIU’s Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. They innovate multi-functional composites for aerospace applications at FIU’s Cold Spray and Rapid Deposition (ColRAD) Lab, one of the region’s leading research hubs for additive manufacturing.
Mehrabi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and leads the Non-destructive Testing Lab. With his group of researchers, Mehrabi has advanced a wide array of research regarding bridge safety, including the study of how cracks and defects in bridges can be monitored without needing to take them apart.
When Machine Learning Improves Computer Memory
FIU researchers have developed an innovative approach to computer memory systems that could dramatically improve performance while reducing costs. The patented technology, created by Professors Janki Bhimani and Raju Rangaswami, uses machine learning to intelligently manage data across different types of memory.
“Our system actively monitors how applications use memory and dynamically places data in the most efficient memory tier,” Rangaswami says.
Bhimani adds: “By using reinforcement learning algorithms, we can optimize where and when information is placed, creating significantly better-performing memory systems for next-generation computers.”
The invention addresses a decades-old challenge in computing. While traditional DRAM memory has served as the standard for over 50 years, it’s costly and power-hungry. This new approach intelligently combines DRAM with newer memory technologies, balancing performance needs with efficiency.
AI-Powered Visualization Aids Alzheimer’s Diagnosis and Prognosis
Researchers at FIU have developed a groundbreaking visual tool to aid physicians in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. The patented technology, led by Professor Malek Adjouadi, creates color-coded visualizations that integrate multiple types of medical data into an intuitive interface.
“By combining brain scans, cognitive tests and biomarkers into one comprehensive visual tool, we’re making it easier for doctors to interpret complex data and understand disease progression,” Adjouadi says.
The innovation emerged from an NSF Major Research Instrumentation grant. Plans are underway to implement the technology in collaboration with partnering medical and academic institutions with the 1Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center through Neuroimaging Web Services Interface (NWSI). The NWSI platform is accessible to our research community interested in doing research on Alzheimer’s disease, with access to multimodal imaging data, data sharing, data processing and unique visualization methods that can help with diagnosis, prognosis and interpretation of results.
As these technologies move from laboratory to implementation, I look forward to sharing more success stories that demonstrate how FIU engineers are shaping a smarter, safer future. Please stay in touch as our journey of purposeful innovation continues.
Sincerely,
Inés R. Triay
Interim Dean, FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing