Systems and Control

I followed the Systems & Control track within the MSc in Applied Mathematics as the MSc in Systems & Control did not yet exist at that time. My interest in electrical circuits and the systems and control field as a whole developed during the courses I took as part of my Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics.

During my studies, I had a lot of freedom to discover my own interests. What I also like about the field of systems and control is that it is multidisciplinary; it’s a combination of mathematics, physics, and computing science. This combination ensures that you stay aware of the practical implementations of the theory that is being discussed.

I did my internship at Philips, where my research was about making the trimmer, one of their electric shaving devices, consume less power. This experience gave me a clear picture of how my background in systems and control can be used within a company.

I am currently doing a PhD programme, in which I am studying the potential of a new type of computer, which could operate in a more energy-efficient way, like a human brain. For this, I am (among other things) analysing networks, implementing electrical circuits, and writing mathematical proofs. While this project will take several years to complete, I am looking forward to the potential outcomes.

I am a PhD student in the Systems, Control and Optimization group within the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. I work under the supervision of Bart Besselink and Arjan van der Schaft on a project about the modular design and analysis of complex interconnected systems.

I remember being interested in the physics behind many of the games I played as a kid; I wanted to know the best way to throw a ball and make a basket, or to take a fast turn with a car in a video game. At the same time, I was also fascinated by the speed and precision of the big industrial machines that I saw on shows like “How It’s Made”. So when the field of systems and control was introduced to me with an example of keeping a satellite in orbit, I was immediately intrigued and wanted to learn more. As a mathematician at heart, I was really happy that the systems and control courses in Groningen were treated a bit more rigorously than in other universities. This made it easier to study more advanced topics and eventually be confident and enthusiastic enough to pursue a PhD degree.

My PhD project is motivated by the growing complexity of modern engineering systems, such as smart grids and intelligent transportation systems. Such systems often comprise a large number of interconnected components that are designed by different specialized manufacturers. But different manufacturers seldom have the facilities to collaborate effectively, which can cause costly delays. This can be avoided by adopting a method for specifying design requirements that allows components to be designed independently. One such method is based on using so-called contracts. In my project, I am developing a theory of contracts for a specific class of interconnected systems, namely, systems with components modelled by differential equations.

A large part of my day-to-day work consists of coming up with problems that are relevant to my PhD project and solving them. I utilize a lot of the theory that I learned in my master’s to solve these problems. For example, I make extensive use of the behavioural approach to systems theory, geometric control theory, and realization theory, which were covered in the courses Mathematical Systems Theory, Advanced Systems and Control, and Modelling and Identification, among others. Although I do love solving problems, the most enjoyable aspect of my work is the stimulating discussions I have with my colleagues. It feels great to be surrounded by people who share my interests and passion.

I am not sure what my future looks like. On the one hand, I would like to stay in academia, pursue a postdoc and eventually become a professor. On the other hand, I am also interested in working in industry, in a high-tech company like ASML, or the European Space Agency. In any case, all options sound exciting to me, and I am looking forward to the next step in my career.