Building Blocks for Blockchain

Engineering faculty Dr. Kumar Yelamarthi provides a solution to the growing security concerns associated with the Internet of Things. The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a system of internet-connected objects that exchange wireless data without human intervention. The fast adoption rate of this technology has outpaced security requirements, thus, raising major security and privacy concerns in health care services. Dr. Yelamarthi’s research finds that Blockchain technologies can provide the necessary solutions for these privacy concerns. Blockchain is a digital record book that stores internet transactions and can be used to ensure tamper-proof patient information.

Typically, Blockchain can only be used on high-powered computers, however, Dr. Yelamarthi and collaborators have developed an IoT-friendly Blockchain scheme that can be used on portable low-powered computers with the help of algorithms. The team developed a new algorithm that can be adopted in the IoT environment. Their research presents an IoT solution that is safe and secure while ensuring data accountability. This creates a safe and secure platform for IoT applications spanning from infrastructure to vehicles, healthcare to homes, manufacturing to governance. Dr. Yelamarthi’s work offers hope for future research in low-powered Blockchain networks.

At CMU We Do Research, We Do Real World

Story by ORGS intern Hailey Nelson

January 2021