Wei Zhao has followed the PhD Programme at Faculty of Engineering and Science, specialisation in Engineering Sciences, Scientific field of Mechatronics.
- Trial lecture starts at 10:15
- Public defence starts at 12:15
Title of trial lecture: "Introduction to Model Predictive Control"
Disputation chair: Paul Svennevig, UiA
Assessment committee:
- Professor Andrew Plummer, University of Bath, England
- Professor Liselott Ericson, Linköping University
- Professor Joao Leal, UiA
Supervisors in the doctoral work:
- Main supervisor: Associate Professor Morten Kjeld Ebbesen, UiA
- Co-supervisor: Associate Professor Damiano Padovani, UiA
- Co-supervisor: Professor Michael Rygaard Hansen, UiA
- Co-supervisor: Professor Emeritus Torben Ole Andersen, Aalborg University
Summary of thesis
Hydraulic systems are the "muscles" of many machines we use in everyday life, from construction equipment such as excavators and cranes to offshore and industrial machinery. These systems are powerful and reliable, but they also come with a major drawback: they waste a significant amount of energy. As industries are moving toward greener and more sustainable solutions, improving the energy efficiency of hydraulics has become an urgent challenge.
In my doctoral research, I explored new ways of controlling hydraulic cylinders. Traditional hydraulic systems often lose energy because they rely on valves that restrict the flow of oil, similar to driving a car by pressing both the accelerator and the brake at the same time. To overcome this, I investigated so-called motor-controlled hydraulic cylinder systems that allow the energy to be used more directly and efficiently.
A key focus of my work was on two innovative motor-controlled hydraulic cylinder system architectures: the one-motor-one-pump and two-motor-two-pump systems, along with their dedicated control algorithms. To evaluate their potential, I combined simulation modeling, advanced control system design, and laboratory experiments.
The results of the research show that these new hydraulic cylinder control technologies can achieve both high performance and significant energy savings. Experimental studies in the laboratory demonstrated that the concepts are feasible in practice, not just in theory.
By making hydraulic systems more efficient and reliable, this research contributes to the development of greener machines in construction, industry, and offshore applications. In the long run, it can help reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and support the transition toward more sustainable technologies.
What to do as an online audience member
The disputation is open to the public. To follow the trial lecture and the public defence online, register on Zoom.
We ask online audience members to join no earlier than 10 minutes in advance. After these times, you can leave and rejoin the meeting at any time.
Opponent ex auditorio:
Deadline for the public to pose questions is during the break between the two opponents. Questions ex auditorio can be submitted to Kristine Reinfjord.
Contact person
- kristine.reinfjord@uia.no
- Phone
- +47 37 23 30 14