Speakers

Prof. Zheng Hong (George) Zhu, York University, Canada
（Fellow of CAE, Fellow of EIC, Fellow of CSME, Fellow of ASME, Associate Fellow of AIAA, Senior Member of IEEE）

Biography: Dr. Zheng Hong (George) Zhu is a Professor and and Tier 1 York Research Chair in Space Technology in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at York University in Toronto, Canada. He is the founding Co-Director of Manufacturing Technology Entrepreneurship Centre, founding Director of Space Engineering Lab, and Directors of Smart Autonomous Robotic Technology for Space Exploration at the same university. He has also served as the Inaugural Academic Director of Research Commons in the Vice-President Research & Innovation Office (2019-2022), Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department (2018-2019), and Director of the Space Engineering undergraduate program in the Department of Earth and Space Science and Engineering (2009-2012) at York University. His research interests include dynamics and control of tethered space systems, space robotics, computational mechanics and control, machine learning, 3D printing in space, and CubeSat. He has authored 210+ peer-reviewed journal papers and 180+ conference articles. Dr. Zhu is an elected member of International Academy of Astronautics, a College Member of the Royal Society of Canada, and the Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Canada, Engineering Institute of Canada, Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering, and American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He is also an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a Senior Member of IEEE. Dr. Zhu is the recipient of the 2024 Gold Medal and the 2019 Engineering Medal R&D from the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, the 2024 Solid Mechanics Medal and the 2021 Robert W. Angus Medal from Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering, and the 2022 President's Research Excellence Award from York University. Finally, Dr. Zhu is fretured in the 2024 Book, Canadians Who Innovate: The Trailblazers and Ideas That Are Changing the World.

Speech Title:  From Computational Mechanics to Computational Control
Abstract: Accurate control of spacecraft position and orientation, especially those with flexible structures like tethers, solar panels, and booms, is crucial for mission success. This task typically demands experts with extensive training and specialized knowledge in control systems. One wonders if it is possible to algorithmically synthesize stable feedback laws for controlling the complex coupled rigid-flexible dynamics of spacecraft structures, or more broadly, for dynamic systems with infinite degrees of freedom, analogous to how the finite element method (FEM) solves physical problems in modern engineering. Currently, we find no definitive answer to this in the field of control.This talk will present our recent efforts to bridge this gap by developing a novel model-based computational control framework. This framework algorithmically synthesizes stable feedback laws for dynamic systems with flexible bodies governed by Hamiltonian mechanics and elasticity in a manner analogous to FEM. It is based on the principles of Lyapunov stability theory, Hamiltonian mechanics, and computational solid mechanics. The key achievement is to synthesize feedback control laws in each finite element, rather than piecewise in the discretized regions in the across state space. This involves a piecewise affine local control Lyapunov function within each element and Sontag’s universal formula for local stability. Control inputs are assigned at each element node, with non-actuated elements receiving null inputs. The global feedback system is formed using standard FEM assembly, ensuring stability and controllability through the Popov-Belevitch-Hautus criterion and Lyapunov’s method. Ultimately, our framework integrates with existing FEM programs, simplifying nonlinear feedback control for engineers in rigid-flexible dynamic systems. Once implemented, this framework can be applied to controlling generalized coupled rigid-flexible dynamic systems like using FEA codes.

Prof. Li Guo, Hunan University, China

Biography: Prof. Li Guo  received  his PhD at Xian Jiaotong University, China in 1992.  He researched advanced machine tool with Prof. W.B.Rowe at Liverpool John Moores University, UK in 2003-2004, researched advanced materials grinding in airplane engine with Prof. Xun Chen at University of Nottingham UK in 2007 and researched advanced materials join in car body with Prof. S Jack Hu at University of Michigan, USA in 2014. Currently, he is a Doctoral/Master  Supervisor at Hunan University, National Science and Technology Evaluation Expert, Academic Backbone of Hunan University, Science and Technology Experts from 15 provinces including the Ministry of Education and Hunan Province, Evaluation Expert for Science and Technology Talent Awards of China Association for Science and Technology, National Graduate Education Quality Monitoring Expert, Vice Chairman of Changsha Mechanical Engineering Society, Manager of Hunan Yuelu Mountain Industrial Innovation Center, etc. He has published more than 80 papers on Journals. 

Speech Title:  Intelligent monitoring of acoustic emission during grinding of difficult to machine materials
Abstract: The first study on thermal acoustic emission monitoring of nickel based  Superalloy was conducted using short-time Fourier transform acoustic emission signal processing technology. The second study investigated the relationship between acoustic emission signals during high-speed grinding of engineering ceramics and grinding force, grinding temperature, and grinding damage. The third conducted acoustic emission monitoring of the grinding wheels wear process of nickel based Superalloy external cylindrical grinding. The fourth application of artificial intelligence deep learning neural network was used for intelligent acoustic emission monitoring of ceramic grinding surface roughness. The research has solved the problem of intelligent monitoring of acoustic emission during grinding of engineering ceramics and nickel based Superalloy.