Prakash Ranganathan

Title: The Innovative Mind of Prakash Ranganathan

Introduction: Prakash Ranganathan, an esteemed inventor based in Grand Forks, ND, has made significant contributions to the field of energy efficiency and secure communications. With two patents to his name, he leverages advanced technologies to tackle pressing issues in building energy audits and energy delivery systems.

Latest Patents: Ranganathan's latest patents reflect his innovative spirit and focus on practical applications. The first patent, titled "Surface temperature estimation for building energy audits," provides various technical solutions to enhance automated building energy audit processes. This invention utilizes heat loss quantification to optimize a building's thermal performance, significantly improving its energy usage. By employing deep-learning methods to segment extensive thermal imagery data from drones, the patent boasts improved determination of building thermal efficiency through a multi-stage computation process focused on quantifying heat loss in building envelopes.

His second patent, "Smart grid secure communications method and apparatus," addresses the critical need for secure communications in energy delivery systems. This invention encompasses apparatus and methods for ensuring secure communications between phasor measurement units (PMUs) and phasor data concentrators (PDCs) within a grid network. Ranganathan's innovative solutions include the use of spread spectrum communication techniques to maintain energy delivery functionality during potential cyber-attacks. In addition, his work incorporates a cryptographic key management scheme facilitating secure communication and identification between PMUs and PDCs.

Career Highlights: Prakash Ranganathan is affiliated with the University of North Dakota, where he contributes to academic research and innovation. His work is characterized by a deep understanding of both energy efficiency and communication technologies, making him a valuable asset in his field.

Collaborations: Ranganathan often collaborates with his coworker, Saleh Faruque. Their partnership reflects a commitment to advancing technology and innovation, combining their expertise to develop impactful solutions in their respective areas of focus.

Conclusion: Prakash Ranganathan exemplifies the spirit of innovation through his patents that address significant challenges in energy efficiency and secure communications. His contributions not only enhance the technical landscape but also pave the way for future advancements in these critical fields. The work done at the University of North Dakota stands as a testament to his dedication to improving energy systems and building performance.