Biography

Dr. Qi lun Zhu (pronounced Chillun Ju) is an Associate Research Professor at Clemson University's Department of Automotive Engineering. His research focuses on the optimal control and estimation of automotive powertrain and mobility systems. Gaining insights from industry challenges and through experimental demonstrations of innovative solutions, Dr. Zhu has developed a robust research portfolio in various aspects of vehicle dynamics, powertrain systems, and autonomous driving technologies. His research group also explores solutions for future mobility and propulsion by integrating cross-domain technologies and utilizing fast prototyping techniques. 

In addition to his research, Dr. Zhu has developed and taught courses in related domains, including Advanced and Electrified Powertrains and Automotive Control Systems.

Dr. Zhu received his B.S. degree from Jilin University in 2010, his M.S.E. degree from Cornell University in 2011, and his Ph.D. degree from Clemson University in 2015. He is a member of the Automotive and Transportation Systems Technical Committee and the Automotive Controls Technical Committee. He serves as an associate editor for the IEEE Conference on Control Technology and Applications and the Proceedings of the IMechE, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering.

Dr. Zhu has been recognized for his contributions to the field with several awards, including the 2019 SAE Young Professional Technical Paper Competition and the Best Paper award at the 2014 American Control Conference. His work continues to shape the future of automotive technology, blending academic excellence with practical, real-world applications.

Teaching

This graduate-level course equips students with the theoretical foundation and applied skills to model, design, and simulate advanced control systems for modern automotive propulsion systems. Emphasizing control-oriented modeling, estimation and multivariable control, the course covers internal combustion engines and emerging electrified systems.

Students use MATLAB/Simulink to complete hands-on simulations and team projects that mirror cutting-edge R&D. Applications include optimal control of high DOF engines, battery management system, and propulsion control for Connected Autonomous Vehicles. Emphasis is placed on analytical rigor, system integration, and skills directly transferable to control roles in the mobility industry or doctoral research. 

This undergraduate course explores the architecture, operation, and integration of modern ground vehicle propulsion systems, with an emphasis on both legacy and emerging technologies. Students will engage in the design and dynamic modeling of key powertrain components including internal combustion engines, electric machines, batteries, hybrid systems, and advanced drivelines. Through simulation-based assignments and system-level analysis, the course emphasizes how these components are orchestrated to meet stringent performance, efficiency, durability, and emission targets in real-world vehicles.

Cutting-edge topics such as hybrid-electric architecture optimization, battery degradation modeling, energy management strategies, and emission minimization techniques are addressed in the context of regulatory and market-driven innovation. Students will also be introduced to contemporary tools used in the automotive and mobility industry for propulsion simulation, virtual prototyping, and component integration. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to contribute to the development of next-generation vehicles, including automated and electrified platforms, with a solid understanding of how propulsion system design drives sustainable mobility.