UNIVERSITY Georgia Institute of Technology, CambridgeUniversity
RESEARCH/INNOVATION Designing sentient computer systems that use LEDs to simulate sunlight.
AWARDS Gates Cambridge Scholarship, 2005
Anthony Hylick hopes to foment a computer revolution with his research into sentient computing—equipping computers with sensors that allow the computers to see, hear, and communicate with each other through ultrasonic waves.
A computer engineering major from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Mr. Hylick received a Gates Cambridge Scholarship earlier this year and began a doctorate program this fall in the sentient computing research group at Cambridge University in England.
Mr. Hylick plans to continue his undergrad work there, designing “smart” computers that can be used in satellites, surveillance cameras, and other areas.
While at Georgia Tech, Mr. Hylick worked with Professor Ian Ferguson to program light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that could simulate sunlight by modifying indoor lighting conditions based on the ambient spectral light. The lighting control system could imitate the sun’s color and wavelength changes throughout the day. Their research has several practical applications, including deterring the effects of jetlag, helping people improve their sleep patterns, and aiding skin cancer research.
Mr. Hylick also had fun with several other projects while at Georgia Tech. For instance, the 23-year-old programmed a computerized Lego car to follow a solid black line, and assembled a small scrolling LCD screen that was updated using a wireless radio-frequency keyboard.
“Each of these projects was really fun and interesting to take on [because] we as students got to see our programming skills in action, not just know that our code compiled with no errors,” he says.
Mr. Hylick also taught young students through his fraternity’s mentoring program and did tech support for local schools. Now he’s looking forward to pursuing his Ph.D. at Cambridge as well as finding new innovations.
“I see innovation in the high-tech industry as a catalyst for more innovation,” he says. “Seeing new innovation after new innovation continues to motivate me to want to uncover that groundbreaking research that revolutionizes the computer field once again.”
Mr. Hylick dreams of making computers simpler and more failsafe, and easing the communication barriers between PCs and other devices. He is also striving to bring computers and Internet access to underprivileged and underrepresented groups, as well as educate people about computer and Internet use to better protect them from threats.
Educating new and first-time users is not an option—it’s a must, he says. “There are many young children today that could benefit greatly from having ready access to a computer and Internet resources. Not only would this level the playing field in schools and the job market, but it may also increase the number of young and older individuals interested in technology-related fields.”