C E N T R E F O R I N T E G R A T E D C O M P U T E R S Y S T E M S R E S E A R C HT H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F B R I T I S H C O L U M B I ARevolutionizing How Power is Measured and ManagedThe voltage measurement technology invented by Nick Jaegerfuelled a merger with industry giant Honeywell.Today, when we flick on a light switch, zapour coffee in the microwave, or power upour computer, we take electric power forgranted. Most of the systems that monitorand measure the power we use have beenaround for half a century or more. However,as the need for dependable power increases,it is clearly time for a change.Deregulation of the US power industry isnot only facilitating that change, it isfuelling demand for the technology developedby Nick Jaeger and industry partnerNxtPhase Corp.Integrated-optic sensor technologyDirector of the Centre of Advanced Technology in Microelectronics, Nick Jaeger is interested inbroadly-based interdisciplinary work—and the resulting partnerships.CICSR member, professor of Electricaland Computer Engineering, and ASI FellowNick Jaeger has been working on integratedopticsensor technology for over a decade.In collaboration with Dr. David Green ofCarmanah Research Ltd., and with thefinancial support of the BC AdvancedSystems Institute (ASI), the Science Councilof BC, and the NRC, he developed atechnology capable of monitoring thequality of insulation inside high-voltageequipment.This successful project led to the creationof UBC spin-off Carmanah Engineering,aimed at marketing the technology. Withthis project completed, they soon convincedthe power industry that equipment monitoringrepresented a fraction of the market foroptical technology relative to the need forcontinued on page 2Spring2000 Vol. 11, No. 1Director’s Corner ....................................... 2Computing with DNA ................................ 3Mechatronics ............................................. 4Modelling the Magnetic Earth ................. 5Advanced Communications ..................... 6Passing Notes ............................................ 7
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