IoT techniques for disaster prediction and prevention

IoT techniques can be applied in many fields, including disaster prediction and prevention. In developing countries, it may be economically unfeasible to purchase and establish a centralised system. However, with a help of IoT techniques, a distributed system could be established with fewer economical burdens. This will be the focus of this project. 

The main area of research would be designing and partially implementation of an IoT based system for Disaster Prediction and Prevention. For example, monitoring geographical, metrological and/or hydrological data with a combination of wireless and connected networks, processing the data, thence issuing a necessary warning to a target area.

The main technical challenges would be in the selection of sensor technologies for monitoring, a data communication method (Wireless LAN/WAN, wired network), a communication network topology, a data processing method (distributed / centralised) and an information propagation channel (wireless / connected / broadcasting). These could be depending upon the local issues – such as the size of the target area and/or geological features etc.

The target disaster could be flooding by acute torrential rain, a landslide/mudslide caused by raining / earthquake / volcanic activities, and/or a surface water level changes on the sea / a port by an earthquake (Tsunami) / low pressure (tropical depression), etc.

A prospective PhD student will be required to have good programming skills, knowledge in wireless and network communication, knowledge of parallel and distributed systems, knowledge of image and signal processing, and of climate changes.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for the above PhD topic please follow the steps below:

1. Contact the supervisor by email or phone to discuss your interest and find out if you woold be suitable. Supervisor details can be found on this topic page. The supervisor will guide you in developing the topic-specific research proposal, which will form part of your application.
2. Click on the 'Apply here' button on this page and you will be taken to the relevant PhD course page, where you can apply using an online application.
3. Complete the online application indicating your selected supervisor and include the research proposal for the topic you have selected.

Good luck!

This is a self funded topic

Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. See more information here: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/Research-degrees/Research-degree-funding. The UK Government is also offering Doctoral Student Loans for eligible students, and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.

Meet the Supervisor(s)

Take Itagaki - Dr Takebumi ITAGAKI obtained a BEng from Waseda University (Japan) and a PhD in Engineering/Music from University of Durham (UK) in 1998. In 2000, he moved to Brunel University London as a Lecturer in Engineering. He contributed towards the several EU-IST FP5/FP6 research projects, including the SAVANT Project as the prime contractor and administrative coordinator, and the INSTINCT Project as the project manager. He was coordinating the EU CIP PSP Project DTV4All. His expertise include: Digital TV system (DVB, ISDB), Digital Signal Processing, Parallel Processing, Computer Music and Computer Architecture. Currently, he is one of the coordinators of ITU-T Focus Group Audio Visual Accessibility – Working Group D.