University of Wuppertal

Offshore Windpark

ModConFlex: Modelling and control of flexible structures interacting with fluids

The Project

EU-Flag with Text: Funded by the European Union

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovative programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) grant agreement No. 101073558

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The ModConFlex consortium comprises a group of 10 academics and 4 senior researchers in industry (ORE Catapult) with expertise in control theory, artificial intelligence, complex dynamical systems, distributed parameter systems, fluid dynamics, aeroelasticity, power electronics, power systems, swimming theory and marine engineering. Our aim is to train the next generation of researchers on the modelling and control of flexible structures interacting with fluids (water and air), contributing to the latest advances in control theory, artificial intelligence and energy-based modelling.

Our main applications are in the control of floating wind turbines (the prime renewable energy source of the future), and in the control of highly flexible aircraft, aircraft with very high aspect ratio. Our research plans are organized into three scientific work packages, which cover mathematical systems theory (modelling and model reduction, boundary control systems, port-Hamiltonian systems, exact beam theory), relevant aspects of control theory (internal model controllers with anti-windup, nonlinear model predictive control, robust control), reinforcement learning, aeroelasticity, stochastic algorithms.

We believe that science and technology in Europe will greatly benefit from this research, and from the education and knowledge that we will impart to a new generation of researchers. Key strengths of this consortium include a research environment that brings together mathematicians and engineers to provide the project’s young researchers with a unique training environment, and a network of associated industrial partners that will allow all the young researchers to participate in industrial secondments. We have the critical mass to cover all aspects of training, and we have an excellent track record of past collaboration and of training young researchers.


Job Offers in ModConFlex

Calls for Doctoral Researchers

There is still one open position. Click on the job offer to find more details:

One PhD student position at Tel Aviv University joint with Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany) in modeling, stability analysis and control of electric power grids comprising grid forming inverters with Prof. George Weiss and Prof. Giovanni De Carne

Applicants must not hold a PhD.


Second Network and Training Meeting in France

ModConFlex' 2nd Network and Training Meeting will take place at Anglet, France.

Network Meeting and Mid-Term Check: 18 to 20 June for all Project Participants including Researchers

Training: 21 to 28 June for Researchers

  • Fri 21 and Mon 24 June (all day): Prof. Marius Tucsnak "PDE modelling of large floating structures"
  • Tue 25 and Wed 26 June (all day): Prof. Enrique Zuazua "Enhancing machine learning through control and numerics"
  • Thu 27 (morning): Associate Partner Sherpa "The interplay of control, numerics, and learning in industrial-grade AI"
  • Thu 27 (afternoon) and Fri 28 (all day): Associate Partner Scriptoria: Training Workshop 2

The 2nd Network and Training meeting is organised by Marius Tucsnak from the University of Bordeaux.


First ModConFlex Network Meeting - Enschede

ModConflex Team 1st Meeting

In November 2023 the 12 recently hired ModConFlex Researchers and their supervisors plus a few more project participants met for the first time at the University of Twente.

After a day of Kick-Off and Board Meeting with lively discussions also during the breaks the day was concluded by a cozy dinner at the conference venue.

The Researchers stayed on for five additional days of learning. Videos and slides of the training are available here.


Meet the Researchers

The first ModConFlex Researchers started in August 2023. Altogether there are 12 at present who introduce themselves with a short biography and research interests.


The Consortium

ModConFlex academics are located at six beneficiary nodes in France, Germany, Israel and The Netherlands. The ModConFlex consortium also has two academic partners, located in the United Kingdom, and several prestigious industrial partners.

Beneficiaries

  • University of Wuppertal (Prof. Birgit Jacob)
  • Université de Bordeaux (Prof. Marius Tucsnak)
  • Communauté d'universités et établissements Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté (Prof. Yann Le Gorrec)
  • Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (Prof. Enrique Zuazua)
  • Tel Aviv University (Prof. George Weiss)
  • Universiteit Twente (Prof. Hans Zwart)

Associate Partners

UK Universities

  • Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine (Dr. Andrew Wynn)
  • University of Warwick (Prof. Xiaowei Zhao)

Industrial Partners

  • Airbus Operations (UK)
  • Airbus UpNext (ES)
  • Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (D)
  • Sherpa Europa SL (ES)
  • IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture S.A.U. (ES)
  • PA Consulting Services LTD (UK)
  • Office National d’Etudes et Recherches Aérospatiales (F)
  • Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (UK)

Training Partner

Scriptoria

Contact

ModConFlex coordinator

Prof. Birgit Jacob

Phone: +49 202 439 2527

E-Mail: bjacob{at}uni-wuppertal.de

ModConFlex project manager

Dr. Katrin Heinrichs

Phone: +49 202 439 5413

E-Mail: heinrichs{at}uni-wuppertal.de

Further information about #modconflex: