Center for Sensed Critical Infrastructure Research Overview

The focus of the Center for Sensed Critical Infrastructure Research (CenSCIR) is to develop and research a new science and engineering of local sensing, data interpretation and fusion, and intelligent decision support that would allow for the discovery and prevention of abnormal (catastrophic) behavior in critical infrastructure systems, which include road systems and bridges, water distribution systems, water treatment plants, power distribution grids, telecommunications networks systems, and commercial and industrial facilities.

Mission

• Perform research with industry and government partners to develop an understanding of the data and decision support needs (human and autonomous control) in a variety of infrastructure contexts and the economic implications of delivering such support. Research sensor devices, data models, data interpretation techniques, system behavior models, and decision support frameworks that address the needs of critical infrastructure systems.
  

• Develop sensor-data driven vertical decision support systems for critical infrastructure systems or components, from the sensors needed, to the data models used, to the algorithms and models applied to interpret that data, to the decision support needed to assist in the delivery, operation and maintenance of an infrastructure system. Validate these systems using combinations of laboratory testbeds, actual infrastructure systems and simulations.
  

• Perform research to explore the common aspects of the developed vertical systems to determine if common approaches or tools can be developed. Explore network theories concerning the value of the information provided by sensors distributed throughout a critical infrastructure network, how that information is best converted into decisions (centrally or locally), whether this decision-making knowledge must be specified or can it be learned, and whether that information improves the reliability, stability and quality of service of critical infrastructure systems.
  

• Develop frameworks that help researchers take advantage of the knowledge gained by this center when creating new vertical decision support systems for critical infrastructure contexts.
  

• Explore network theories concerning the value of the information provided by sensors distributed throughout a critical infrastructure network, how that information is best converted into decisions (centrally or locally), whether this decision-making knowledge must be specified or can it be learned, and whether that information improves the reliability, stability and quality of service of critical infrastructure system.
  

• Develop frameworks that help researchers take advantage of the knowledge gained by this center when creating new vertical decision support systems for critical infrastructure contexts.