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Data encryption is a process to transmit sensitive information over a public channel such as a wireless channel, so that only authorized receivers can access it. Unfortunately, digital encryption techniques typically require the use of microprocessors which are power-hungry devices. This project advances the use of alternative analog encryption techniques, such as chaotic encryption. Since analog encryption techniques are more power efficient, this approach makes it possible to avoid the use of microprocessors and consequently facilitate the realization of more portable devices.

Computing hardware including processors, memory banks, and communication busses can harbor vulnerabilities that allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to the programs and data on a machine. Hardware designers and security experts expend considerable time and effort to eliminate these vulnerabilities early in the design stage. The focus of this research is to support these activities towards improving efficiency and outcomes.

Machine learning (ML) models are increasingly important in society, with applications including malware detection, online content filtering and ranking, and self-driving cars. However, these models are vulnerable to adversaries attacking them by submitting incorrect or manipulated data with the goal of causing errors, causing potential harm to both the decisions the models make and the systems and people who rely on them.

This project designs and implements programmable system elements to be run within the anonymity networks, such as Tor (The Onion Routing network). The central idea is that users can inject new code into the network that is then run within a protected execution environment. The motivation is to enable the creation of new and significantly enhanced anonymity services, such as content distribution networks, of use in today's and future anonymity networks.

Cryptography is a core component of modern technology. It protects internet transactions, hides usernames and passwords as they traverse networks, protects the data residing on mobile devices and computer disk drives, and much more. The systems that cryptographic mechanisms are tasked with protecting are typically very complex, with many interacting parts and a large number of places that may be vulnerable (often called the "attack surface").