Projects

The lab focuses on control methodology study and optimization algorithm development for problems that are motivated from case studies and marine and automotive applications. Specific research topics and project examples include:

  1. Energy and power management of integrated hybrid power systems: Integrated power systems leverage complementary features of multiple heterogeneous power sources and power loads to achieve higher system efficiency and lower emissions. Those are more “control critical” as they rely on tight mechanical, electrical, and thermal couplings among subsystems to achieve the desired benefits of hybridization. The team has been developing modeling and control design tools that can enable effective integration through optimization and adaptation.
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  2. Engine and powertrain control: Built on our extensive automotive powertrain control expertise and experience, RACELab continues the research on developing methods and tools for design, analysis, and calibration of powertrain systems with a focus on energy efficiency and environment impact. Those activities are primarily supported by automotive OEMs (Toyota and Ford Motors) and the investigation is focused on gasoline and diesel engine powered propulsion systems.
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  3. Fuel cells and Lithium-ion battery system modeling, control, and health monitoring: Fuel cells, with their high energy efficiency and low emissions, have great potential as the future propulsion and auxiliary power plants for mobile applications. Batteries and other energy storage devices, on the other hand, are playing critical roles in vehicle electrification. The team has been exploring the combined solid oxide fuel cell and gas turbine cycle systems for mobile applications to characterize their dynamic capabilities and system integration solutions (supported by NSF, U.S. Army, and NAVSEA-Carderock Division). The team is also working actively on Lithium-ion battery system energy management and health monitoring (supported by DoE).
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  4. Marine vessel dynamic control systems: Developing and implementing advanced control methodologies for safe and efficient vessel control is another area of RACELab research focus. Through integration of estimation, control, and real-time optimization, the team has been exploiting the model predictive control for vessel path following and course keeping in nonlinear wave-fields. The research was supported by an ONR MURI project. Currently, the PI is collaborating with Shanghai Jiao-Tung University in developing theoretical framework and algorithms for numerical evaluations of marine vessel control systems equipped with advanced sea-keeping and maneuvering actuators.
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