Prof. Michael Weyrich is a faculty member at the Institute of Industrial Automation and Software Engineering (IAS) within the University of Stuttgart , leading the Cluster of Excellence IntCDC . His academic rank is Professor, and he focuses on Industrial Automation , Digital Twins , and Large Language Models (LLMs) for manufacturing and automotive systems. His research explores integrating LLMs into industrial automation for adaptive control, cloud offloading of vehicle functions, and semantic interoperability via Asset Administration Shells . He investigates modular production architectures , connected vehicle systems , and synthetic data generation for autonomous machinery. Recent publications highlight LLM-driven production planning , dynamic sensor calibration , and machine learning for fault detection in electric vehicle powertrains. His work emphasizes real-time data modeling and flexible microservice orchestration .
Lokukaluge Prasad Perera is a Professor in Maritime Technology at UiT The Arctic University of Norway and a Senior Research Scientist in Smart Data at SINTEF Digital . He holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University (1999), MSc in Systems & Controls from the same institution (2001), and a PhD in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from Technical University of Lisbon (2012). His research focuses on Maritime and Offshore Systems , Advanced Data Analytics , Autonomous Navigation , Energy Efficiency , and Digital Twin Applications . He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and was recognized in the World's Top 2% Scientists (2021-2022) by Stanford University. Key professional experiences include roles at SINTEF Ocean (2014–2017), Center for Marine Technology and Engineering in Portugal (2008–2012), and Wärtsilä Finland (2012–2014). He has also held academic positions at Naval & Maritime Academy and Ocean University of Sri Lanka . His work addresses challenges in emission reduction , renewable energy integration , and safety-critical systems for maritime operations. Current projects emphasize trustworthiness of autonomous ships and data-driven decision frameworks for energy efficiency.
Frank Willems is a Full Professor of Systems and Control Technology and Chair of Integrated Powertrain Control at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), holding a part-time position realized with support from TNO. He is affiliated with the Control Systems Technology group within the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and also contributes to EIRES and EAISI research initiatives. Dr. Willems obtained his MSc (1995) and PhD (2000) in Mechanical Engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). His academic journey continued with a position at TNO Automotive, where he currently serves as a principal scientist in powertrain control. Professor Willems' research focuses on developing optimal and robust control methods for automotive powertrain systems. His work addresses the critical challenge of integrating energy and emission management strategies at the powertrain system level, which is essential as traditional methods become infeasible due to increasingly strict environmental regulations. Key research areas include control-oriented modeling of internal combustion engines, cylinder pressure-based combustion control, and integrated energy and emission management. His research aims to minimize development time and costs through model-based control methods, with the ultimate goal of achieving auto-calibration where powertrain energy efficiency is optimized online using smart sensors and route information. Dr. Willems serves as an Associate Editor for Control Engineering Practice and is an active member of the IFAC Technical Committee Automotive Control. He has participated in numerous international program committees for conferences including the IFAC Conference on 'Engine and Powertrain Control, Simulation and Modeling (E-CoSM)', IFAC Symposium 'Advances in Automotive Control (AAC)', and 'Symposium for Combustion Control (SCC)'. His research has been supported by organizations including the Dutch Technology Foundation (STW) and DENSO Japan. At TU/e, Professor Willems teaches courses on 'Optimal control and reinforcement learning' and 'Advanced control for future heavy-duty powertrains.' His research group, part of the Control Systems Technology group, focuses on developing self-learning powertrain control systems to address the complexity and diversity of future ultra-clean and efficient vehicles.
Nikolce Murgovski is an Assistant Professor at Chalmers University of Technology, specializing in Mechatronics . He focuses on electric and hybrid vehicle energy management , autonomous driving systems , and optimization algorithms for powertrain design. His work bridges control theory , battery technology , and transport electrification . Current projects include CHARGE (2023–2026) for charging and trip planning , and EcoPilot (2022–2026) for energy-efficient autopilot development. Collaborates with institutions like Volvo Cars , Swedish Electromobility Centre , and VINNOVA on autonomous vehicle control and thermal energy systems . His recent publications emphasize convex optimization , eco-driving strategies , and collision avoidance in complex environments. He has contributed to tools like CONES for electromobility studies and has led research on hybrid powertrains and predictive energy management .
Dr. Jennifer Bauman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at McMaster University. Her research focuses on the electrification of transportation, power electronic converters, vehicle design and control, and smart-grid integration of electric vehicles (EVs). She holds a B.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo and has 8 years of industry experience as Director of Research at CrossChasm Technologies. Her work spans three levels: low-level power electronics optimization, mid-level vehicle system design, and high-level EV-grid interaction analysis. Education: B.A.Sc. and Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Waterloo (2004, 2008). Professional registration: P.Eng. (Professional Engineer). Teaching: Instructors for ECE 724/MECHENG 721 on Modeling, Control, and Design of Electrified Vehicles. Research Interests: Development of efficient power electronic converters (e.g., using wide-bandgap devices), optimization of hybrid/electric powertrains, and analyzing EV impacts on smart grids. Notable contributions include a 65kW boost converter for fuel cell vehicles and studies on solar-charged EV architectures. Grants & Awards: Received $1.9M in CFI infrastructure funding (2017) as part of a team. Lab: Located in ITB A220, focusing on advanced vehicle electrification and grid-integrated systems.
Professor Shawn Kook is a faculty member at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where he directs the UNSW Engine Research Laboratory and conducts cutting-edge research in engine technologies and sustainable powertrain systems. His work focuses on developing new powertrain technologies for carbon neutral fuel combustion across various applications. His research expertise spans multiple critical areas: Internal Combustion Engines (Petrol/Gasoline, Diesel, Gasoline Compression Ignition, Dual-Fuel) Alternative Fuels (Hydrogen, Ethanol, Biodiesel, Natural Gas, Kerosene, Gas-To-Liquid) Optical Engines and Laser-based Imaging Diagnostics In-cylinder Flow Fields, Turbulence, and Combustion Processes Pollutants Formation (Soot, Particle Morphology, NOx, HC, CO, CO2) Professor Kook's research program investigates new diesel compression-ignition (CI) and petrol spark-ignition (SI) engines developed for high efficiency and low air-polluting emissions, including cooperation with other power generation methods such as gasoline-electric hybrids. His carbon neutral fuel research encompasses hydrogen, ethanol, methanol, jet fuel, biodiesel, and other renewable source fuels. The recent publications show a strong trend toward hydrogen combustion, optical diagnostics of in-cylinder processes, and alternative fuel research with emphasis on emissions reduction. He actively supervises research students focusing on internal combustion engines, CI engines, SI engines, energy & fuels, turbulence, and hydrogen technologies. Professor Kook has also founded DeCarice Pty Ltd, a UNSW spinout company where he serves as co-founder and chief technology officer, demonstrating his commitment to translating research into commercial applications.
Lorenz Dörschel is an Adjunct Professor (Lehrbeauftragter) at the Institute of Automatic Control at RWTH Aachen University. He holds the academic title PD Dr.-Ing. habil, signifying post-doctoral research qualifications. His position is part-time, focusing on advanced control theory and applications. His primary research interests include: Control of distributed parameter systems (e.g., fluid dynamics, thermal processes) Model predictive control for industrial and automotive systems Parameter space methods for robust controller design Model reduction techniques for complex nonlinear systems Dörschel's recent publications (2018-2024) demonstrate broad applications across biomedical engineering, renewable energy, automotive systems, and industrial automation. His work consistently integrates mathematical rigor with practical implementations, emphasizing advanced control methodologies like nonlinear MPC, Lyapunov-based design, and Bayesian optimization. A recurring theme is the development of computationally efficient control strategies for distributed parameter systems. No scientific awards, student advising relationships, or research grants are documented in the available information.
Sandro Rubino is a Fixed-term tenure-track Assistant Professor at the Department of Energy (DENERG) at Politecnico di Torino, where he is also a Member of the Interdepartmental Center PEIC - Power Electronics Innovation Center. His academic appointment falls under the scientific disciplinary sector IIND-08/A - Power Electronic Converters, Electrical Machines and Drives (Area 0009 - Industrial and Information Engineering). Dr. Rubino's research focuses on electric drives and electrical machines, with particular expertise in induction motor drives, synchronous motor drives, and advanced torque control techniques. His work spans from fundamental motor control theory to practical applications in electric vehicles and e-mobility systems. He has developed high-performance torque controllers for various types of electric motors including electrically excited synchronous motors, induction motors, and multi-three-phase motor configurations. His research addresses critical challenges in motor drive systems including fault tolerance, efficiency optimization, and performance derating under abnormal conditions. His publications reveal a strong focus on practical applications of motor control theory, particularly in the context of electric vehicles and sustainable transportation. The trend in his recent work shows increasing sophistication in control algorithms for multi-phase motor systems, with emphasis on fault tolerance and performance optimization under challenging operating conditions. His research bridges theoretical electrical machine modeling with practical implementation challenges in modern power electronic drive systems. Dr. Rubino has received multiple prestigious awards including the IAS-IDC ECCE Prize Paper Award in 2020, 2022, and 2024 from IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, the IEEE Italy Section Power and Energy Society (PES) Chapter Best PhD Thesis Award in 2020, the IEEE Italy Section Industrial Electronics (IES) Chapter Best PhD Thesis Award in 2021, and the IAS-IDC Transactions Paper Award in 2024. He actively supervises PhD students including Nicola Macri', Alessandro Ionta, and Luisa Tolosano, focusing on advanced topics in multi-phase motor drives and torque control. Dr. Rubino leads or participates in several significant research projects including TEAMING - e-powerTrain prEdictive mAintenance using physics inforMed learnING (2023-2027), SUPERDRIVE - Superconductive Synchronous Machine Drives for High-Power Applications (2023-2025), and SEMDY - Sustainable and Efficient Motor Drive System for E-mobility Applications (2022-2025), where he serves as Scientific Responsible. Within the Power Electronics Innovation Center (PEIC), Dr. Rubino contributes to advancing the state-of-the-art in electric drive systems, with particular emphasis on applications supporting Sustainable Development Goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
Dr. Fan Zhang serves as Associate Professor in Engineering (Engineering and Design) at the School of Engineering and Informatics, University of Sussex, where he leads research in control systems and sustainable energy technologies. His work bridges theoretical control engineering with practical renewable energy applications, particularly in hydrogen storage and conversion systems. His academic foundation includes: PhD in Control Systems from the University of Sheffield MSc in Control Systems from the University of Sheffield PgCLT (Distinction) from the University of South Wales BEng in Automation from Tianjin University of Technology and Education Research centers on control systems for renewable energy integration, with emphasis on hydrogen storage, wind/solar-hydrogen systems, and automation. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between power electronics, energy conversion, and sustainable transportation solutions, particularly through advanced control strategies for complex energy systems. Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on hydrogen energy systems (70% of recent work), with growing emphasis on aviation applications and tidal energy integration. His research trajectory shows evolution from foundational photovoltaic control (2013-2015) toward multi-source renewable systems (2021-2025), reflecting industry shifts toward hydrogen economy solutions. Academic recognition includes: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy He supervises research projects including tidal lagoon power and hydrogen energy storage optimization, with teaching responsibilities spanning Robotics and Electrical Engineering programs delivered in China. His curriculum development for Automation & Mechatronics and Systems Analysis modules demonstrates practical application of his research expertise. Current research activities involve supervisory control systems for renewable hydrogen infrastructure, with emerging work in neurolinguistics-based control interfaces indicating expanding interdisciplinary reach.
Omar Hegazy is a Professor in Electrical Engineering and Power Electronics at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), affiliated with the MOBI - Electromobility Research Centre. He leads research in power electronics systems, electric vehicle drivetrains, and energy management. His work focuses on reliability, WBG semiconductors, and sustainable transportation systems. Education details are not explicitly provided, but his extensive publication record and project leadership imply advanced academic qualifications. Research interests include power electronics, battery management systems, hybrid/fuel cell vehicles, and V2X technologies. His projects address challenges in electric vehicle infrastructure, grid integration, and renewable energy systems. Key trends in his articles include digital twin development for electric trucks, advanced thermal management of SiC devices, and optimization of DC charging systems. His work emphasizes practical applications like modular converters, fault-tolerant drives, and interoperable charging solutions. Awarded Best Master Thesis (2019), Best Paper (2024), and Optimal Design Recognition (2016) Supervised over 49 theses, including master's and doctoral studies in power electronics and EV systems Secured funding for projects like HiPower 5.0, HARPOONERS, and FLEXMCS Labs/Teams: Active in MOBI's Electromobility Research Centre, collaborating on advanced power electronics and e-mobility solutions. Involved in interdisciplinary teams for microgrid design and DC charging infrastructure.
Professor Xinyan Wang is a leading academic at Brunel University London, affiliated with the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He serves as a Principal Editor for Fuel (Elsevier) , editorial board member for multiple journals, and committee member for Hydrogen Europe Research and UK Chinese Society of Automotive Engineering. PhD, Power Machinery and Engineering, Tianjin University MSc, Power Machinery and Engineering, Tianjin University BEng, Thermal Energy and Power Engineering, Jiangsu University His research focuses on low-carbon fuel technologies for internal combustion engines, including hydrogen/ammonia combustion, biofuels, and nanobubble applications. He develops advanced hybrid electric systems and specializes in engine design optimization for alternative fuels. His work spans experimental investigations, computational modeling (CFD/MD/Chemkin), and optical diagnostics of combustion processes. Recent publications (2024-2025) highlight trends in hydrogen combustion analysis, nanofluid applications, dual-fuel strategies, and 2-stroke engine optimization. Key themes include emission reduction, ignition process decoupling, and integration of machine learning with molecular simulations for fuel characterization. UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (2020) Editorial roles at Fuel , Highlights of Vehicles , and MDPI journals BSI committee member for fine bubble technology He supervises research on topics including zero-carbon fuel combustion, numerical simulations (chemical kinetics, CFD), and optical diagnostics for spray/combustion analysis. His teaching includes vehicle propulsion systems and major engineering projects at undergraduate/graduate levels.
Christopher Onder is a Lecturer at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zürich, where he serves as Deputy Head of the Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control. His research focuses on control engineering, energy systems, and sustainable transportation solutions. Role : Lecturer, Deputy Head of Institute Department : Mechanical and Process Engineering Institute : Dynamic Systems and Control University : ETH Zürich His research interests include: Control systems for hybrid and electric vehicles Energy management optimization Thermal comfort in public transport Co-design of mechanical and racing strategies Nonlinear control in aerospace applications Model-based calibration for diesel engines Contact: onder@idsc.mavt.ethz.ch
Sampo Laine is a Visiting Professor at the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering at Aalto University, with affiliations in Mechatronics. His expertise focuses on vibration analysis, rotordynamics, and powertrain systems, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9). He holds a Doctor of Science (Tech) in Mechanical Engineering (2025), a Master of Engineering (2021), and a Bachelor of Engineering (2020), all from Aalto University. His research explores lateral and torsional vibrations in rotating machinery, electromagnetic influences on torsional systems, and vibration mitigation through active control strategies. Notable contributions include the OpenTorsion Python library for torsional vibration analysis and studies on semi-active foundation stiffness control in rotor systems. His work bridges mechanical design, digital twin technology, and collaborative engineering practices. Laine’s publications span topics such as wire rope isolators, aerostatic measurement systems, and dynamic modeling of coupled electromechanical systems. His research emphasizes practical applications in industrial machinery, automotive powertrains, and manufacturing processes. Collaborations have addressed challenges in winder dynamics, paperboard quality assessment, and roll geometry optimization. No scientific awards are explicitly listed in the provided materials. His advising and grants focus on doctoral research in mechanical systems, with a recent doctoral thesis titled Lateral and torsional vibrations in variable speed rotating machinery (2025). He is affiliated with Aalto’s Mechatronics and Energy Engineering research groups, contributing to interdisciplinary projects in vibration analysis and automated design methodologies.
Taehyung Kim is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering , College of Engineering and Computer Science. His research focuses on power electronics , motor drives , and electric/hybrid power systems for vehicles and aircraft , with an emphasis on renewable energy integration and fault-tolerant control . Education Ph.D., Electrical & Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University M.S., Electrical Engineering, Korea University B.S., Electrical Engineering, Korea University His research interests include energy conversion systems, power electronics for electric vehicles, evaluation and diagnosis of AC motors, and position sensorless control of permanent magnet motors. He leads the KIM Laboratory , which explores unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) , battery systems , and powertrain reliability . The 15 most recent articles (2024-2021) highlight his work on hybrid UAVs , fault detection algorithms , cost-effective converters , and powertrain optimization . These publications span power electronics , renewable energy integration , and electric propulsion systems , with applications in transportation electrification and industrial power systems . Scientific Awards NSF Mid Career Advancement Award, 2023 IEEE-IAS Prize Paper Award (2nd Place), 2012 Best Paper Award, IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference, 2021 Listed in "World Top 2% Scientists" (Stanford University, 2020-2024) Listed in Marquis Who’s Who in America Technical Program Co-Chair, 2009 IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference Prof. Kim has advised numerous PhD and Master’s students , including Feng Zhou , Sreekanthreddy Chalapala , and Sahithya Parvathareddy . He has secured significant grants from the NSF , Department of Energy , and industry partners like Ford, focusing on smart monitoring , fault identification , and energy management for electrified systems. His lab’s facilities include advanced power electronics labs and hybrid powertrain testing environments .
Bo Chen is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics and the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Michigan Technological University. She directs the Intelligent Mechatronics and Embedded Systems (IMES) Laboratory, focusing on advanced controls, optimization, and artificial intelligence for connected and autonomous vehicles, electric vehicle–smart grid integration, and smart mobility. PhD in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering from the University of California, Davis (2005) Visiting Professor at Argonne National Laboratory (2014–2015, 2016) Sabbatical at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2022–2023) Dr. Chen's research spans Mechatronics , Embedded Systems , Hybrid Electric Vehicles , and Cyber-Physical Systems . Her work includes vehicle-to-grid integration , battery control systems , and cybersecurity for automotive systems . Recent publications highlight advancements in predictive control algorithms for hybrid vehicles, consensus-based frequency regulation , and plausibly deniable encryption systems for mobile devices. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and industry partners, her research has secured over $10 million in grants. ASME Fellow Best Paper Award (2008 IEEE/ASME MESA Conference) Top Cited Article Award (Journal of Computers & Graphics) Best Survey Paper Award (IEEE Transactions on ITS) Co-recipient of four Best Student Paper Awards Dr. Chen has held leadership roles as Chair of the Technical Committee on Mechatronics and Embedded Systems (IEEE ITS Society), Chair of the ASME Design Engineering Division's Technical Committee, and Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems (2012–2019). She organized multiple international conferences and co-edited special issues on intelligent transportation systems.
