An Inexact General Descent Method with Applications in Differential Equation-Constrained Optimization

In many applications, gradient evaluations are inherently approximate, motivating the development of optimization methods that remain reliable under inexact first-order information. A common strategy in this context is adaptive evaluation, whereby coarse gradients are used in early iterations and refined near a minimizer. This is particularly relevant in differential equation–constrained optimization (DECO), where discrete adjoint … Read more

Towards robust optimal control of chromatographic separation processes with controlled flow reversal

Column liquid chromatography is an important technique applied in the production of biopharmaceuticals, specifically for the separation of biological macromolecules such as proteins. When setting up process conditions, it is crucial that the purity of the product is sufficiently high, even in the presence of perturbations in the process conditions, e.g., altered buffer salt concentrations. … Read more

Polyconvex double well functions

We investigate polyconvexity of the double well function $f(X) := |X-X_1|^2|X-X_2|^2$ for given matrices $X_1, X_2 \in \R^{n \times n}$. Such functions are fundamental in the modeling of phase transitions in materials, but their non-convex nature presents challenges for the analysis of variational problems. We prove that $f$ is polyconvex if and only if the … Read more

Novel closed-loop controllers for fractional linear quadratic tracking systems

A new method for finding closed-loop optimal controllers of fractional tracking quadratic optimal control problems is introduced. The optimality conditions for the fractional optimal control problem are obtained. Illustrative examples are presented to show the applicability and capabilities of the method. ArticleDownload View PDF

Rounding in Mixed-Integer Model Predictive Control

This paper interfaces combinatorial integral approximation strategies with the inherent robustness properties of conventional model predictive control with stabilizing terminal conditions. We deduce practical stability results for finite-control set and mixed-integer model predictive control and investigate the evolution of the closed-loop system in the presence of control rounding to draw conclusions about deviation from optimality. … Read more

Optimal Control of Semilinear Graphon Systems

Controlling the dynamics of large-scale networks is essential for a macroscopic reduction of overall consumption and losses in the context of energy supply, finance, logistics, and mobility. We investigate the optimal control of semilinear dynamical systems on asymptotically infinite networks, using the notion of graphons. Graphons represent a limit object of a converging graph sequence … Read more

Obscured by terminology: Hidden parallels in direct methods for open-loop optimal control

Active research on optimal control methods comprises the developments of research groups from various fields, including control, mathematics, and process systems engineering. Although there is a consensus on the classification of the main solution methods, different terms are often used for the same method. For example, solving optimal control problems with control discretization and embedded … Read more

Integer Control Approximations for Graphon Dynamical Systems

Graphons generalize graphs and define a limit object of a converging graph sequence. The notion of graphons allows for a generic representation of coupled network dynamical systems. We are interested in approximating integer controls for graphon dynamical systems. To this end, we apply a decomposition approach comprised of a relaxation and a reconstruction step. We … Read more

Randomized Roundings for a Mixed-Integer Elliptic Control System

We present randomized reconstruction approaches for optimal solutions to mixed-integer elliptic PDE control systems. Approximation properties and relations to sum-up rounding are derived using the cut norm. This enables us to dispose of space-filling curves required for sum-up rounding. Rates of almost sure convergence in the cut norm and the SUR norm in control space … Read more

Routing a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles: a trajectory optimisation-based framework

We consider an aerial survey operation in which a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is required to visit several locations and then land in one of the available landing sites while optimising some performance criteria, subject to operational constraints and flight dynamics. We aim to minimise the maximum flight time of the UAVs. To … Read more