Intelligent Robotic and Energy Systems (IRES)

Selected Projects

Mechatronics

Design and realization of autonomous systems are conducted in the IRES research group. The aim of this research is to develop adaptive and learning strategies for various complex systems. Cooperative multi-agent systems are also of interest. In the absence of a leader, each agent navigates independently.

Electric Machine Drives

IRES facility is equipped with various types of electric machines and industrial drives. The research focuses on the development of advanced drives mainly for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines (PMSM) and Induction Machines (IM). The aim of this research is to develop the next generation of machine drives.

Energy Systems

Intelligent energy systems are instrumental in meeting future energy needs. In this regard, a variety of intelligent strategies are designed and implemented on different types of enegy conversion and storage systems.

Research Philosophy

It’S IMPORTANT

The diversity of expertise is a crucial aspect in the development of complex technologies. Our research philosophy promotes team work to face the complexity of research areas allowing the complementarity of resources and research infrastructure. This strategy yields rationalization of resources and a more effective response to common needs, including specific top-class training. It also contributes to accelerate the advancement of knowledge and technology transfer to industry.

Description

In most existing mechatronic systems, maximizing stiffness to minimize vibration and achieve good motion control accuracy is a key element in their design. This high stiffness is achieved by using heavy material and a bulky design. Hence, the existing heavy rigid mechatronic systems are known to be inefficient in terms of power consumption and operational speed. In order to improve such systems, reducing the weight and increasing speed of operation are required. Therefore, light-weight mechatronic systems have received a thorough attention lately, thanks to their better maneuverability, higher operational speed, power efficiency, lower cost, and larger number of applications. However, controlling such systems still faces numerous challenges that need to be addressed before they can be used in abundance in everyday real-life applications. The severe nonlinearities, varying operating conditions, structured and unstructured dynamical uncertainties, and external disturbances, are among the typical challenges to be faced with when dealing with such often ill-defined systems. Additionally, these autonomous systems should be conscious of the impact of their operation on energy usage and components' lifespan.

Description

AC machines proved to be the solution to application which requires high torque density, high precision, wide speed range and efficiency such as electric vehicles and wind turbines. Although these machines are designed to produce high torque per volume and constant power over wide speed range, achieving all of these benefits underlays the proper optimum control system based on the behavior of the machines. Since they can be used in various applications, their performance is limited to unknown uncertainties, such as load torque variations and external disturbances. Therefore, an advanced control method is required to utilize them at the best of their performance.

Description

In the last decade, alternative energy sources such as renewable energies have received a thorough attention and have been considered as a way of fighting climate change. Power generation from sustainable energy sources requires maximum power extraction for optimal energy utilization. This increases the requirements on energy storage and conversion systems, particularly in the presence of highly nonlinear dynamics and continuously variable and unpredictable operating conditions. Therefore, research is essential to accelerate the development of realistic models, health assessment, estimation/prediction algorithms, and advanced control schemes for various multilevel and multiplex power conversion topologies to address industry needs in a variety of applications that include but are not limited to energy generation, power conversion, energy management, electric and intelligent vehicles, and smart grid.