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Prof. Ayalew's research group develops tools for modeling and control of dynamical systems. Recent applications focus on energy systems (EVs, HEVs, conventional powertrains), vehicle dynamics and safety, and robotics/automation. Our current research themes are the following:

I. Physical model-based and data augmented approaches to control

- Learning optimal control policies from field data

- Applications of Deep Reinforcement Learning(DRL) to physical systems, with safety certification.

- Applications to battery energy storage systems

II. Motion planning and control of automated on-road and off-road vehicles, including coordination with unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs).

III. Control of multi-agent systems such as distributed energy resources (microgrids), and vehicle fleets
The publications tab lists papers from our current and past research activities. Many papers also include downloadable links.

List of Current and Past Projects

Due to sponsor confidentiality issues and the extensive diversity of topics covered in the group, only project titles are given in the following list. If interested in the details of any of these, please contact Dr. Ayalew directly.
*  Road Load Estimation from Edge Data (Allison Transmission, 2023-)
*  Learning Shifting Policies from Telematics Data (Allison Transmission, 2021-)
*  Energy Management for Multi-Scale Vehicle Fleets (US Army GVSC, ARC/VIPR-GS Center, 2020-)
*  Commercial Vehicle Kinetic Energy Management Using Radar Information (Allison Transmission, 2018-2020)
*  Boosting Traffic Energy Efficiency via Vehicle to Vehicle Connectivty (US Department of Energy, 2017-2019)
*  Objective Phsyco-Vibratory Assessment of Vehicle Comfort (Michelin, 2016-2018)
*  Model-Based Analysis of Vehicle Drift/Pull Phenomena (Toyota, 2016-2018)
*  UV Processing of Bio-based Composites (NSF, 2015-2019)
*  Automotive Interaction Networks (Harris Corporation, 2014-2017)
*  Control of Hubmotor Driven Multi-Axle Vehicles (TARDEC-ARC, 2015-2016)
*   Analysis of the Steering and Handling Characteristics of a UTV (Michelin, 2015)
*  Heave Intrusivity During Travel Over Cleats/Rough Roads (Michelin, 2014-2016)
* Estimation and Diagnostic of Li-ion Batteries; GATE Hybrid Electirc Powertrain Integration Lab (US Department of Energy, 2011-2017).
*   CAREER: Control of Processes Actuated with Mobile Radiant Sources (NSF, 2011- 2017)
*   Braking-Induced Vibrations in TWEEL Coupled Suspension Systems (Michelin, 2012-2014)
*   Model-free Vehicle Stability Control with Extended Actuator Sets (Honda, 2013-2014)
*   Interaction of Tire Torsional Dynamics and ABS Control (Michelin, 2011-2014)
*   Fault Tolerant Control of Digital Displacement Pump/Motors ( TARDEC-ARC, 2011-2013, with Z. Filipi)
*   Electric Powertrain Simulation (E-Z-Go, 2011-2012, with P. Pisu)
*  Independent Hydrostatic Wheel Drives (TARDEC-ARC, 2008-2010) - Model-based investigation on the suitability of independent hydrostatic wheel drives for vehicle stability control.
*   Enabling the TWEEL for Passenger Cars (BMW, Michelin, 2006-2009) - New non-pneumatic tire invented by Michelin with new possibilities for expanding the design space by decoupling ride and handling constraints.
*   Compliant Link Suspension (BMW, 2006-2008) - Patent granted (US 8360452 B2) on a design that achieves light-weighting by integrating spring and kinematic guidance in certain links of a vehicle suspension.
*   Electromechanical Wedge Brakes for Reduced Energy Use in future X (brake)-by-wire systems for electrified vehicles (2010)
*   Hybrid (electric, hydraulic) Supercharging of IC Engines (turbogeneration and energy recovery) (2009)
*   Modeling and Control of Multi-Degree of Freedom Manipulator Robots (2007-2009).
*   Multi-actuator Dynamic Load Emulation: Examples include a multi-axis electrohydraulic road simulator and wind turbine drivetrain test rig. Modeling and Control of Electrohydraulic Actuation Systems (2005-2006)