Jan C. Willems Center for Systems and Control
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
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The Jan C. Willems Center for Systems and Control unites the research groups Discrete Technology and Production Automation (DTPA), Smart Manufacturing Systems (SMS), Optimization and Decision Systems (ODS), all of the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG), with the research group Systems, Control and Applied Analysis (SCAA) of the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence.
The Systems and Control research in Groningen is recognized for its long tradition in mathematical systems theory and its strength in nonlinear systems analysis and control, multi-physics modeling of large-scale systems, coordination control of complex systems, and control under communication constraints. Recent additions include advanced manufacturing systems and systems biology.
Systems and Control is an interdisciplinary methodology, which functions as a common interface between various scientific disciplines and engineering areas, and often as an enabling technology. At the University of Groningen it expands this integrating role towards chemistry, physics, computer science, artificial intelligence, biology, medicine, sociology and economics.
Teaching programmes
The groups of the Jan C. Willems Center for Systems and Control provide educational tracks in Industrial Engineering and Management and in Mathematics, both on a Bachelor and a Master level. Furthermore, courses are given for other disciplines, including (applied) physics, biomedical engineering, and chemical engineering.
The Jan C. Willems Center for Systems and Control is actively involved in the Graduate program of the Dutch Institute for Systems and Control (DISC), as well as in the DISC honors program for Master students in Systems and Control.
The Jan C. Willems Center for Systems and Control also participates, under the auspices of DISC, in the national teaching program Mastermath (Master courses in Mathematics).
Involvement in application sectors
High-tech materials and systems:
Manufacturing systems, mechatronics, micro-/nano systems, MEMS, smart materials. Furthermore, high tech mechatronic systems are developed for space applications, e.g., research that is financed by SRON includes the chopper design for the METIS instrument, one of the instruments for the E-ELT (European Extremely Large Telescope). The SmartBot project is another example of a project in this sector. Related to that, the connection of the groups with the institute INCAS3 in Assen fits in this sector as well.
Energy:
Modeling and analysis of the power-grid, distribution networks, inspection and maintenance, detection of hardware and software failures, micro combined heat- power systems. Systems and Control is actively participating in GESP, and connected to the FMNS institute ESRIG.
Life Sciences:
The Jan C. Willems Center for Systems and Control is actively involved in the NWO-funded Groningen Systems Biology Center for Energy Metabolism and Ageing (SBC-EMA). Furthermore, the center participates in the Center of Research Excellence SPRINT (Smart mobility devices with improved Patient -pRosthesis INTeraction), a collaboration between the UMCG, University of Groningen and the University of Twente aiming at increasing mobility of elderly via high tech innovation.