The vibrant cityscape pulses with energy as self-driving cars smoothly navigate through the streets, seamlessly integrating with the hustle and bustle of human activity.
In a nearby hospital, a remotely operated robotic surgeon, equipped with state-of-the-art metaverse technology delicately performs a groundbreaking operation to restore a child's sight.
Up in the sky, satellites, stratospheric high-altitude platform stations, and drones beam lasers, delivering wireless access to every corner of the planet.
And back on solid land, LED lightbulbs illuminate not just physical spaces but also the digital realm, serving as a beacon for internet connectivity that transcends traditional boundaries.
This futuristic tableau, once confined to science fiction, is on the brink of becoming a reality. Professor Murat Uysal, an innovator in optical wireless communication at New York University Abu Dhabi, leads groundbreaking research in optical waves, propelling us toward a future where these technological marvels coexist harmoniously with our daily lives.
The potential for optical wireless communication is endless, and as well as implementing new technologies, connectivity allows us to change lives in underprivileged communities.
“Around 40 percent of the world’s population remains unconnected or under-connected, and there is a real digital divide between developed and disadvantaged nations.
“At a fundamental level, this implies a lack of internet access, but on a larger scale, it impacts various aspects of life, ranging from education and healthcare to overall quality of life.”
Dr. Uysal, from Istanbul, Turkey, has dedicated more than 25 years of his life to his research, starting with a BSc and MSc in Electronics and Communications engineering from Istanbul Technical University in 1995 and 1998, followed by a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2001.
He began his academic career at the University of Waterloo, Canada in 2002 before joining Ozyegin University in Turkey in 2011, serving as the Department Chair of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and the Founding Director of Center of Excellence in Optical Wireless Communication Technologies (OKATEM).
In September 2023, he joined NYU Abu Dhabi as a Professor of Electrical Engineering with tenure. But it was his early days in Istanbul that inspired his prestigious career.
“I learned early in life that not everyone in Turkey has the same opportunities, “he says. “In rural parts of the country, doctors struggle to effectively treat their patients, not through a lack of care, but because of poor connectivity.
“Since then, video conferencing between medics has helped somewhat, but in the future, we could look at holographic communication between hospitals and even robotic arms that allow doctors in Istanbul to perform surgery in remote regions.
“I hope my work at NYU Abu Dhabi can make a difference to communities in Turkey and worldwide.”
Dr Uysal’s research currently covers the broad area of communication theory with a particular emphasis on wireless communication systems in optical frequency bands.
In a nutshell, he looks beyond the traditional radio waves to utilize the optical bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, using infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light for wireless transmission.
“The most basic example is the TV remote control, which sends signals using infrared waves,” said Dr Uysal.
“In the future, this could include everything from LED lightbulbs that provide ultra-high-speed Internet access to cars that communicate via headlights and taillights and wireless access beamed from satellites with on-board lasers in the sky.
“Connectivity serves as the lifeblood of technological progress,” he says. “It's more than a technological necessity; it's a catalyst for positive change in every aspect of our lives."
