Smart Agriculture
PITON enables smart agriculture, aquaculture, and farming.
Campus as a Lab
CIEI enables researchers, educators and students to use IoT across the entire ECU campus.

Center for IoT Engineering & Innovation

In the News

Center for IoT Engineering and Innovation

The Center for IOT Engineering and Innovation (CIEI)’s mission is to enable and facilitate the research and development of IoT solutions for a wide range of domains, from environmental monitoring to water management, from smart farming to smart agriculture, frome intelligent transportation to smart cities and many more. The CIEI developed and managed Platform for IoT Open Networks (PITON) provides communities, researchers, educators, and students the tools needed to develop, test, and manage IoT solutions. PITON’s footprint covers over 1,000 square miles of Eastern North Carolina and is rapidly growing.

We believe innovation resides at the intersection of community needs, researcher curiosity, and student enthusiasm. Through PITON and our expertise, CIEI provides the technologies needed to bring bright ideas to life.

Join an expanding community of innovators, be part of a growing portfolio of projects, change the quality of life and the economic opportunities for your community and those of others.

CIEI’s Impact

22+ Projects
15+ Gateways
12+ Proposals
40+ Collaborators
50+ Students

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Ciprian Popoviciu

Director
East Carolina University
College of Engineering and Technology
Science & Technology Building,
Greenville, NC 27858-4353

Upcoming Events

Mar 25

Sustainability and Pollution Prevention in Manufacturing Workshop

East Carolina University; Isley Innovation Hub

The Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering at East Carolina University invites you to join us for the workshop Sustainability and Pollution Prevention in Manufacturing, where we'll explore practical strategies to reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote sustainable practices in production processes. The event is free to attend but registration is required. Lunch for registered attendees will be provided.

Mar 26

Webinar: Strategies for Hurricane Resilience and Pollution Prevention

Join us for the webinar “Strategies for Hurricane Resilience and Pollution Prevention,” hosted by ECU’s Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering program. This session examines cutting-edge engineering and construction strategies designed to strengthen the durability and resilience of buildings and infrastructure in regions vulnerable to hurricanes and extreme weather. The presentation highlights the importance of resilient design principles that help structures withstand high winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding—ultimately reducing structural damage, economic loss, and threats to public safety. In addition, the webinar addresses critical environmental considerations, including methods to minimize pollution from storm runoff, construction debris, and post-storm recovery activities. Our guest speaker, Dr. Carol Massarra, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Construction Management, will share insights drawn from her interdisciplinary research in community resilience, predictive modeling, and data-driven damage assessment. With experience leading projects funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, NCDOT, and the EPA, Dr. Massarra brings a comprehensive perspective on improving building performance, environmental protection, and overall quality of life in coastal communities. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of resilient infrastructure planning and learn about emerging approaches that support safer, stronger, and more sustainable communities in hurricane-prone areas.

Apr 9

Webinar: Industrial Energy Management: How much can you save?

In this talk, Dr. Cardenas-Lailhacar examines industrial energy management through a comprehensive and systems-based lens, highlighting the strong interconnection between energy efficiency, productivity improvement, and waste management at both the plant and corporate levels. Rather than viewing these elements separately, he demonstrates how they work together to strengthen operational performance and long-term sustainability. He will address one of the most pressing questions facing industry leaders today: how much energy — and cost — can realistically be saved, and what practical steps are required to achieve those savings? Drawing on real-world case studies and industry experience, the presentation will illustrate how innovation, when supported by practical tools such as energy balances, performance baselines, emissions reduction strategies, and artificial intelligence, can drive measurable and lasting improvements to a company’s bottom line. The session will conclude with a broader discussion on how strategic energy management, continuous innovation, and competitive positioning can not only enhance business performance but also contribute meaningfully toward achieving the global Net Zero 2050 goal.