disaster relief

When disaster takes down communications infrastructure, text messages through LifeNet could cost 100 times less than when using satellite phones, says graduate student Hrushikesh Mehendale, who worked with Santosh Vempala (Computer Science) to design the system. Source: Huffington Post

"It's just a piece of code that you can have on your laptop or phone," says Santosh Vempala (Computer Science) of LifeNet, the mobile ad hoc networking software he helped create. "Once you have the software, the computers can communicate with each other, and you don't need infrastructure." Source: Fast Company

LifeNet, designed by Santosh Vempala (Computer Science) and colleagues, bridges connectivity between a satellite phone or other Internet gateway and a WiFi-based network on the ground, extending coverage from one computer with access to the entire independent network in the field. Source: ECNMag.com