Reinhold Ludwig

Reinhold Ludwig is a Professor and Associate Head in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). He holds a Dipl.-Ing. (MS) from the University of Wuppertal (1983) and a PhD from Colorado State University (1986). His research focuses on electromagnetic and acoustic nondestructive evaluation (NDE), MRI RF coil design, and biomedical imaging systems. As director of the Center for Imaging and Sensing (CIS), he leads projects in energy/media interaction analysis and advanced MRI technology development.

Key contributions include anatomically shaped RF coils for MRI systems up to 7T, including full-body, head, and extremity imaging applications. His team has developed NDE sensing technologies and electronic circuits for clinical and pre-clinical MR scanners. Recent work explores ultra-low-power neuromorphic circuits for autonomous vehicles and AI-driven optical defect detection systems.

Professional memberships include IEEE, Eta Kappa Nu, and Sigma Xi. Notable grants include a $3M NIH award (2016) for robot-assisted brain cancer treatment research. His lab also works on microwave imaging innovations, ceramic material testing, and embedded computing systems.

Current projects emphasize compact neural networks for real-time NDE, non-contact electromagnetic stimulation devices for pain management, and high-resolution MRI coil optimization. Patents include multi-modal RF coils and moisture analysis systems for industrial materials.