Dr. Haider Raad currently serves as the director of the Engineering Physics program and the Wearable Electronics Research Center (XWERC) at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. He was previously affiliated with California State University & the University of Arkansas, Little Rock between 2008 and 2015.
Haider received the Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Systems Engineering, specializing in RF Telecommunication and Wireless Systems from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), and the M.S. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from New York Institute of Technology (NYIT).
Professor Raad teaches several courses such as Electronic Circuits, Microprocessors and Digital Systems, Communication Systems, Antenna Engineering, and Control Theory. He has given over 100 lectures at universities around the world and is a frequent speaker at international conferences. Professor Raad is also connected to the industry through his engineering consulting firm.
Dr. Raad has published 7 books in the fields of Wearable Technology, Telemedicine, and Wireless Systems. He has also published over a hundred peer reviewed journal and conference papers on research fields of his interest which include: Flexible and Wearable Wireless Systems, Telemedicine and Wireless Body Area Networks, IoT, Metamaterials, and Biomedical Electronics. He is also the recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Teaching Award, the 19th International Wearable Technology Conference Best Paper Award in 2017, the E-Telemed Conference Best Paper Award in 2016, Sonoma State University’s Research Fellowship Award in 2015, and AAMI/TEAMS Academic Excellence Award in 2012.
Haider loves spending quality time with his family. In his free time, he enjoys composing world, rock, and smooth jazz music. He also enjoys street photography and artistic activities.
What is your background?
My background is in electrical and computer engineering, with an emphasis on wearable technology, telehealth, and wireless systems. I have a doctorate in telecommunication systems engineering and I currently serve as the director of the Engineering Physics program and the Wearable Electronics Research Center (XWERC) at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
While I'm genuinely in love with my academic profession and passionate about preparing engineering students for success in the workforce, I have also maintained a solid connection with the industry through my consulting services. I found that maintaining strong ties with the industry is a great way to keep my students and myself up to date with the state of the art advancements in developing technologies, applications, and market needs.
What motivated you to write Fundamentals of IoT and Wearable Technology Design?
Although IoT and wearable devices are electronic systems by definition, the study of these interrelated technologies is multidisciplinary and borrows concepts from electrical, mechanical, biomedical, computer, and industrial engineering, in addition to computational sciences. Having worked in this field for about twelve years in both academic and industrial capacities, I feel the need to compile a comprehensive technical resource that academically tackles the various design aspects of these technologies. The market lacks a textbook with case studies, real world design methodologies, and practical techniques dedicated to these vital technologies.
Who is the primary audience for Fundamentals of IoT and Wearable Technology Design?
The intended audience of the book encompasses both undergraduate and graduate students working on topics related to IoT and wearable technology. The book also serves as an extensive resource for research and development scientists, university professors, industry professionals, and practicing technologists.
What are the key challenges this audience faces?
To the best of my knowledge, there are no comprehensive resources or textbooks on wearable technology and IoT. There is a plethora of great books out there but they do not capture all aspects of these technologies.
What unique features do you think make the book stand out in the market?
As a student, it was always frustrating for me to go through a textbook that lacks realistic practical examples. This has motivated me to include real world prototyping and development methodologies in addition to practical tips used in the industry. Also, the last chapter in the book titled “Detailed Product Design and Development: From Idea to Finished Product“ provides a step by step guide to the design and prototyping of wearable and IoT devices. It applies the knowledge learned in previous chapters to design two complete IoT and wearable technology products from scratch. The chapter takes the reader from concept and engineering requirements all the way to a finished product covering all design and prototyping secrets used in the industry! Moreover, the book includes potential interview questions related to the topics covered in each chapter, in addition to practical homework problems.
What current projects are you working on?
In the past year, and in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, I have been working on developing a wearable electronic device that could eliminate the entry of airborne and droplet-borne viruses to the respiratory tract using electromagnetic energy. The device’s mechanism is based on the concept of resonance and the device can take the shape of a small insertable tube or an enclosure.
My other line of research deals with Brain Machine Interface (BMI) which involves the acquisition and analysis of brainwave signals and translating them into commands that can be relayed to control devices in order to achieve a desired action. With the wide adoption of smart objects realized by the Internet of Things technology across applications and industries, one can envision how BMI can empower users to control such objects (i.e.: home appliances, alert systems, or assistive robots), just by thinking!
Lastly, I believe that a true scientist should never be biased. While I work on the design and development of wearable devices and promote their usefulness, I’m also researching the negative effects and impacts of this technology. I’m recently collaborating with the Sorbonne university in Paris and University of California, Davis, to study the effects of exposure to electromagnetic energy radiated from these devices on the health of cells and cellular activity. I have also discussed the dark side of IoT and wearable devices in my book such as the psychological, social, privacy, and health concerns.
Where can we find you online?
I welcome the opportunity to connect with professionals, researchers, and educators. My LinkedIn profile can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haider-raad-95698330/