Science and Engineering Active Learning (SEAL) System: A Novel Approach to Controls Laboratories

William J. Kaiser received a Ph.D. in solid state physics from Wayne State University in 1984. From 1977 through 1986, as a member of Ford Motor Co. research staff, his development of automotive sensor and embedded system technology resulted in large volume commercial sensor production. At Ford, he also developed the first spectroscopies directed to microelectronics systems based on scanning tunneling microscopy. From 1986 through 1994, at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, he initiated the NASA Microinstrument program for distributed sensing. In 1994, Kaiser joined the faculty of the UCLA Electrical Engineering Department. Along with Professor Pottie, he initiated the first wireless networked microsensor programs with a vision of linking the Internet to the physical world through distributed monitoring. This continued research includes the topics of low power embedded computing for wireless networked sensing, biomedical embedded computing, robotic sensor systems for environmental monitoring, and distributed sensing for energy and water resource management. Kaiser served as Electrical Engineering Department Chairman from 1996 through 2000. Kaiser has more than 220 publications and 34 patents. He has received the Peter Mark Award of the American Vacuum Society, the NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement, the Arch Colwell Best Paper Award of the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Best Paper Award at BodyNets 2008, two R&D 100 Awards, the Allied Signal Faculty Research Award, the Brian P. Copenhaver Award for Innovation in Teaching with Technology, and the UCLA Gold Shield Faculty Award.