Coffee and Control

In this bonus episode I explore the work of ten fascinatingresearchers that I met at the Meet the Faculty Candidates poster session at CDC last month. We cover a wide array of different areas, including data-driven methods, fault-tolerant control, biological systems, PDEs, distributed estimationand a whole lot more!

 

You can view the transcript for this episode at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15Tf4ORHPI5Thbs-nA9DQTSu87TKbYni9JJN2UXqn5kU/edit?usp=sharing

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffee-and-control-podcast/

Or connect with me directly: https://w...

Duration: 00:25:31

In this episode I bring my microphones with me to the conference of decision and control (CDC) where I talk to a load of interesting researchers about their recent work. Featuring discussion of a wide range of different topics, including reinforcement learning, control architecture, game theory, AI-human interaction, event-triggered control and a whole lot more!

 

You can view the episode transcript at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h6PdTd9xLTcJOGPx6TIkXOKPz_NGoS9_sA8CUvoZlx8/edit?usp=sharing

 

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffee-and-control-podcast/

Or...

Duration: 00:51:08

In this episode I talk to some wonderful members of IEEEcontrol systems society (CSS) NextCom committee about their work fostering inclusivity and belonging within CSS, as well as empowering the next generation of leaders within control. We also cover how you can be a part of this!

 

You can find the transcript at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/186arBxVLdcpHUCT9djgXQ7IMVvX5SLsMk0LmnzOLbRY/edit?usp=sharing

 

Fill in this leadership interest survey if you’d like to getinvolved:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-9qK13qYOSylyo-L-s8LvIYjd9bUmWlpd7zj2C7...

Duration: 00:18:26

This month I got to interview Sophie Schirmer about herfascinating work on quantum control, including notions such as controllability and realisability, different types of quantum states (including pure, mixed, and dark states), comparison between different approaches to optimisation, and the quantum phenomena inside MRI scanners!

 

You can find the transcript at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l0TFtckp7zEKCG0wdMHY0nySptrzbkV9ohQExa6ykGg/edit?usp=sharing

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffee-and-control-podcast/

Or connect with me directly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-hodgins-733a30175/

Duration: 00:57:59

In this month’s episode got to talk to Dr Carrie Weidner allabout controlling quantum systems! I find out what the control objective is forthese systems, how to characterise their robustness (or at least attempt to),how easy it is to apply this to practical systems, and a lot more besides.

You can find the transcript at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aixaD-P6R6jFDjS4Zp6nJ2n5ZHPfbWKYCue2v2_ZCVU/edit?usp=sharing

 

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffee-and-control-podcast/

Or connect with me directly: htt...

Duration: 01:09:51

In this episode I sit down with Dr Andy Lawrence and learn all about the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), including his top tips on successful grant applications, advice for not getting discouraged by rejected submissions, how to build successful collaborations with industry, and a lot more besides!

 

You can find the transcript for this episode at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FxscV2YjbfeI_u26ETkA25hMwGVmJojHdV5zj7J7wyE/edit?usp=sharing

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffee-and-control-podcast/

Or connect with me d...

Duration: 00:52:45

This episode features the second part of my interview with the fantastic Alberto Padoan! Featuring discussions of data-driven modelling in a geometric/ non-linear context, how to define distances in a behavioural systems setting, and the origin story of his podcast, inControl.

You can find the transcript at: https://CoffeeControlLinks.short.gy/y67vmp

Follow the podcast on linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffee-and-control-podcast

Or connect with me personally: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-hodgins-733a30175/

Alberto episode part 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1kwlnlQqtID1naRcyLL12O

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Duration: 00:53:40

In this episode I sit down with the wonderful Alberto Padoan and discuss his work on model order reduction and generalising concepts from linear systems to the non-linear setting.

You can find the transcript at: https://CoffeeControlLinks.short.gy/IRMql9

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffee-and-control-podcast/

Or connect with me directly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-hodgins-733a30175/

References

inControl podcast: https://www.incontrolpodcast.com/

Andrea Marson: https://andreamarson.com/bio/

Master’s thesis: https://thesis.unipd.it/retrieve/82963fa4-b...

Duration: 01:00:18

In this episode I sit down with Dr Ying Shuai Quan and getexcited about her work on adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, with particular focus on applying model predictive control. Features deep-dives into various aspects of MPC, with occasional offshoots into other cool areas of control!

 

You can find the transcript for this episode at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ufp57VuzymcEivN3lzMaHVKgH8LgqI9BZDzgmdz2pug/edit?usp=sharing

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffee-and-control-podcast/

Or you can connect with me directly: https://www.l...

Duration: 01:00:05

This episode is an ECC special, where I go on a trip to theEuropean control conference and bring you with me!

Connect with me and with the podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-hodgins-733a30175/

X: https://x.com/coffee_ctrl_pod

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/coffee-and-control.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffee_and_control_podcast/

 

References (Cool people to go look up!)

ECC25 web page: https://ecc25.euca-ecc.org/

Guido Carnevale: https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/g...

Duration: 00:56:09

In this episode I interview Dr Mathias Foo about his fascinating research on controlling river systems, implementing control systems using DNA, and gene network rewiring. Basically applying control to a bunch of different systems that you weren’t expecting.

 

Connect with me and with the podcast!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-hodgins-733a30175/

X: https://x.com/coffee_ctrl_pod

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/coffee-and-control.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffee_and_control_podcast/

 

 

References

Dr Ma...

Duration: 01:10:03

In this episode I interview Jonathan Mayo Maldonado about his work on applying the behavioural framework to modelling and controlling switched systems, as well as applying data-driven control to power systems!

 

You can engage with the podcast on

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/coffee-and-control.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffee_and_control_podcast/

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-hodgins-733a30175/

Or email me at lhodginscontrol@gmail.com

 

Jonathan Mayo-Maldonado: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/people/668pbh/doctor-jonathan-mayo-maldonado

...

Duration: 01:08:54

In this episode I talk to Professor Paolo Rapisarda about a bunch of interesting theoretical (but very useful) aspects of control, including his work on behavioural systems theory, model reduction, Willems’ fundamental lemma, and data-driven control.

You can find the transcript at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xosQlyCazjngvrydEdlSX917p84v4GY8Maljp5J8MQY/edit?usp=sharing

You can engage with the podcast on

X: https://x.com/coffee_ctrl_pod

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/coffee-and-control.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.in...

Duration: 00:59:39

In this episode I interview Professor Sabine Hauert about the super interesting work she does on the control of swarm robots, how considering nanoparticles as swarms can be used to treat cancer, and how morphogenesis can generate structure from random interactions.

 

You can follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/coffee_and_control_podcast/),BlueSky (https://bsky.app/profile/coffee-and-control.bsky.social) and X(https://x.com/coffee_ctrl_pod)for updates on episodes!

You can also connect with or follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-hodgins-733a30175/

Duration: 00:54:48

In this episode, I talk to Professor William Holderbaum about some of the many fascinating areas of research he’s involved in, including Boolean control, geometric control, and control of electroactive polymer gels—plus a lot more!

Follow us for updates on new episodes:
Instagram
BlueSky
X (Twitter)

PhD research

PhD Thesis (in French) Boolean Control Using State-Space Approach Neural Networks for Boolean Control PID Control of Boolean Systems Predictive Control Sliding Mode Control

FES work

Coffee and Control Episode with Chris Freeman Professor Ken Hunt FES for Paraplegic Stan...

Duration: 00:54:48

In this episode I talk to Dr Zehor Belkhatir about her fascinating work using fractional order systems to model the brain, as well as how control can be used for chemotherapy treatment.

You can follow us on Instagram, BlueSky, and X for updates on episodes!

References

Thesis: Dr. Zehor Belkhatir's thesis explores key aspects of fractional systems in biomedical applications. Fractional order estimation: ScienceDirect article. Cardiovascular system ECC paper: IEEE Explore paper. Hybrid dynamical systems: Springer chapter. Kevin Aquino: Google Scholar profile. Fractional differential equations textbook: Mathematics in Science and Engineering. ...

Duration: 00:58:10

In this episode we interview Professor Matthew Turner, professor in the Cyber Physical Systems group at the university of Southampton, about his fascinating work on aircraft control, anti-windup, Lur’e systems, and his recent research into applying techniques from control theory to the analysis of neural networks.

The transcript for this episode is available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r41Lcpv4MtxnqfMn8ZFfnAqiK5rlfcPZ19NQhfeqaFI/edit?usp=sharing  

Contact me at: lgh1g19@soton.ac.uk

We have an Instagram now!

R...

Duration: 00:59:55

In this first episode, I talk to Chris Freeman, professor of applied control at the University of Southampton and expert on all things related to iterative learning control and its application in rehabilitation.

The transcript for this episode is available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GYq__XkxFequ0zavy0k5fKVo_CPskZvn7VsR3o_XpL8/edit?usp=sharing

Contact Chris at ctf1@soton.ac.ukContact me at lgh1g19@soton.ac.uk

References:

1984 ILC paperEarly stroke rehabilitation workRC for tremor suppressionILC and RC design...

Duration: 00:50:32

Trailer for my new control-related podcast! Epsiodes will be released on the 1st of each month.

You can check out inControl here: https://www.incontrolpodcast.com/

inControl episodes tend to be realeased during the middle of the month, so you could subscribe to both!

(Please bear with me regarding the strange background noises and general awkwardness - I'm still learning how podcast making works!)

Duration: 00:02:07