A researcher at Worcester Polytechnic Institute received a grant of $441,228 from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research to develop a method of minimizing computer network interruptions.
Researcher Andrew Clark was granted the funds through the Young Investigator Program, according to a Wednesday press release from the college.
Clark is an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. His three-year project with the grant will create a framework to enable nodes on large computer systems to shut down and reconnect in a way that minimizes disruptions for users.
“The ultimate goal is to bring agility to a network, so that when a disturbance happens, the system can adapt and eventually return to safe, functional operation,” Clark said in a statement. “Network resilience is not just about some central authority that directs an operation, but about individual nodes in a network exchanging information and making decisions.”
Clark has previously received two grants from the National Science Foundation for research on cyber defense.
