Aerospace | MAAL

Gaussian-process-based sensor placement and uncertainty quantification for dynamic response reconstruction in flexible aeroelastic structures

Tue, 29 Dec 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dong, B., Mei, Y., Lu, X., Zhou, Y., Zhang, S., Wang, W., Duan, M.*, 2026, “Gaussian-process-based sensor placement and uncertainty quantification for dynamic response reconstruction in flexible aeroelastic structures,” Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 257, 114426.

Flexible aircraft reduced-order modeling and load alleviation

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Flexible and very flexible aircraft improve structural weight and aerodynamic efficiency, but their flight dynamics are tightly coupled with structural deformation.

Approach

Construct reduced-order structural and aerodynamic models.
Preserve the aeroelastic behavior needed for control design.
Use the model to evaluate load, fuel efficiency, and flight trajectories.
Develop load-alleviation and flight-control algorithms.
Verify models and controllers through wind-tunnel experiments.

The project makes high-fidelity aeroelastic behavior accessible to analysis and real-time control.

VTOL data-driven modeling and control allocation

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft operate across flight regimes where aerodynamics, rotor-wing interaction, and actuator authority change substantially.

Approach

Combine physics-based models with flight-test data.
Identify aerodynamic effects at high angles of attack.
Model rotor-wing-airframe interaction and thruster vectoring.
Use the hybrid model in a control-allocation framework across takeoff, transition, cruise, and landing.

The aim is a model that is both physically interpretable and accurate enough for robust flight control.

Adaptive optimal control allocation of over-actuated VTOL UAVs for wind resilience and power efficiency

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Duan, M., Mei, Y., Wang, H., Shan, X., Li, Y., and Dong, B., IP.PA.12865, “Adaptive optimal control allocation of over-actuated VTOL UAVs for wind resilience and power efficiency,” CN Application (approved for filing). Assignees: HKUST and SUSTech.

Aeroelastic Simulation Wiki

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Aeroelastic Simulation Wiki gathers practical guides, examples, and learning material for flexible-aircraft simulation workflows.

Visit the public wiki

Dynamic load alleviation of input-redundant flexible aircraft via nonlinear control allocation over invariant manifold

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dong, B., Zhou, Y., Duan, M.*, 2025, “Dynamic load alleviation of input-redundant flexible aircraft via nonlinear control allocation over invariant manifold,” Aerospace Science and Technology, 162, pp. 110119.

Wind resistant transition trajectory generation of VTOL aircraft under control allocation framework

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Lou, G., Duan, M.*, Liang, Y., Shan, X., 2024, “Wind resistant transition trajectory generation of VTOL aircraft under control allocation framework,” AIAA Scitech Forum, Orlando.

Control-oriented modeling for flexible aircraft

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Duan, M., Cesnik, C.E.S.*, Kolmanovsky, I. V., Vetrano, F., 2024, “Control-oriented modeling for flexible aircraft,” Journal of Aircraft, 61(1), pp. 183-195.

Prof. Duan speaks at COMAC International Science and Technology Innovation Week

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Prof. Molong Duan presented MAAL’s work at the seventh COMAC International Science and Technology Innovation Week.

Load alleviation of flexible aircraft by dynamic control allocation

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Hansen, J.H., Duan, M., Kolmanovsky, I. V., Cesnik, C.E.S.*, 2022, “Load alleviation of flexible aircraft by dynamic control allocation,” Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 45, 10, pp. 1890-1898.

Model predictive control for very flexible aircraft based on linear parameter varying reduced-order models

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Pereira, M.F.V., Duan, M., Cesnik, C.E.S., Kolmanovsky, I. V., Vetrano, F.*, 2022, “Model predictive control for very flexible aircraft based on linear parameter varying reduced-order models,” International Forum on Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics, Madrid.

Maneuver load alleviation of very flexible aircraft via nonlinear decoupling control

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Duan, M., Kolmanovsky, I. V., Cesnik, C.E.S.*, 2021, “Maneuver load alleviation of very flexible aircraft via nonlinear decoupling control,” AIAA Scitech Forum, Online.

Nonlinear control-oriented modeling for very flexible aircraft

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Duan, M., Cesnik, C.E.S., Kolmanovsky, I. V., Vetrano, F.*, 2021, “Nonlinear control-oriented modeling for very flexible aircraft,” AIAA Scitech Forum, Online.

Control Allocation for Maneuver and Gust Load Alleviation of Flexible Aircraft

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Hansen, J.H., Duan, M., Kolmanovsky, I. V., Cesnik, C.E.S.*, 2020, “Control Allocation for Maneuver and Gust Load Alleviation of Flexible Aircraft,” AIAA Scitech Forum, Orlando.

Maneuver load alleviation of flexible aircraft through control allocation: a case study using X-HALE

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Duan, M., Hansen, J.H., Kolmanovsky, I. V., Cesnik, C.E.S.*, 2019, “Maneuver load alleviation of flexible aircraft through control allocation: a case study using X-HALE,” International Forum on Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics, Savannah.