Research

Our research group is dedicated to tackling the mathematical, computational, and practical challenges involved in making systematic decisions in complex systems. We strive to make contributions in the fields of mathematical optimization, control theory, and machine learning. We aim to make practical impacts in the area of process systems engineering and energy systems via the introduction of new modeling paradigms, algorithms, and software tools. We leverage a wide range of tools and methodologies for our research; examples include but are not confined to graph theory, statistics, reinforcement learning, GPU computing, distributed computing, and the Julia Language.

Scalable Optimization

The decision-making for complex systems requires solving challenging optimization problems. This complexity can stem from dynamic behaviors, uncertainties, multi-scale behaviors, network interconnections, and data-driven surrogate models. When formulated as mathematical optimization problems, these problems often contain millions of decision variables and constraints, surpassing the capabilities of existing algorithms and software tools.

Our research group is interested in developing algorithms and software tools tailored to these complex decision-making problems. Leveraging the tools from graph theory, distributed computing, and numerical linear algebra, we aim to enable scalable solutions of such complex optimization problems.

Some specific research projects are as follows.

Graph-based decomposition algorithms for large-scale optimization problems.
Characterizing the performance and robustness of the decentralized decision-making methods.
Designing scalable computing strategies for optimization problems utilizing data-driven surrogate models.
Designing systems that facilitate effective decentralization.

Learning for Control

In a wide range of applications, the control system must operate within uncertain and dynamic environments, often with only partial observation of the system. Maintaining stability, robustness, and high operational performance under such conditions presents a formidable challenge, necessitating the study of data-driven control methods.

Our research group is dedicated to the development of data-driven control methods tailored for complex physical systems, where data may be expensive and only a partial understanding of the system is available. Leveraging the tools from control theory, statistics, and reinforcement learning, we aim to advance the fundamental understanding and to create novel computational strategies for data-driven control.

Specific research focus areas are as follows.

Studying the fundamental issues of data-driven control methods, such as sample complexity, regret, and computational complexity.
Addressing the sample complexity issue of data-driven control methods via the exploitation of system structure.
Developing the system identification and control methods for non-traditional sensors and actuators (e.g., image-based control)

High-Performance Computing

State-of-the-art numerical software tools have made significant progress in solving optimization problems at a moderately large scale. However, they still face limitations when dealing with extremely large-scale problems that involve more than millions of variables. Fortunately, recent advancements in GPU computing and the introduction of exascale supercomputers present exciting opportunities to develop more efficient and versatile numerical optimization tools.

Our research group aims to enhance our capabilities to solve such large-scale optimization problems by harnessing the power of high-performance computing, especially by exploiting GPU computing capabilities. This requires developing new algorithmic ideas as well as implementing them as efficient numerical software packages.

Specifically, we focus on the following areas:

Development of a comprehensive nonlinear optimization framework that can fully exploit the capabilities of DOE's leadership-class supercomputers like Aurora, Summit, and Frontier. These frameworks will incorporate general-purpose algebraic modeling systems, domain-specific modeling tools, automatic differentiation frameworks, numerical linear solvers, and numerical optimization solvers.
Building computational infrastructure for optimization with neural-network surrogate models that interface the machine learning frameworks with nonlinear programming solvers.

Energy Systems

Society is confronting the unprecedented challenge of decarbonizing energy systems to mitigate climate change. To decarbonize the U.S. energy systems by 2050, we will need to produce at least 40% of the nation's total energy demand from wind and solar, which is far higher than the current 12%. Achieving this goal will require extensive research efforts on decision-making frameworks to design, plan, and operate decarbonized energy systems with high efficiency and reliability.

Our research group is dedicated to advancing the state of the art in theory, algorithms, and software implementations for complex decision-making problems in energy systems. Our research group applies our expertise in areas such as mathematical optimization, control theory, machine learning, and high-performance computing to address the pressing challenges found within the energy systems landscape. Our ultimate goal is to develop computational technologies that contribute to the crucial task of decarbonizing our energy systems.