Welcome to the "Model-based Systems and System-of-systems Engineering" research group at IFL. This group stands at the forefront of pioneering systems engineering research primarily in the field of aircraft conceptual design, integrating advanced methodologies in systems engineering and model-based approaches.
Our focus is on developing innovative model-based strategies that streamline system engineering processes. Bringing together various disciplines, we leverage the latest advancements in complex product development and design space exploration, cross-disciplinary design analysis and optimization, and system-of-systems (SoS) engineering to create robust, efficient, and sustainable products with a focus on aircraft. Our research is characterized by its interdisciplinary nature, bringing together expertise from various aeronautical research fields, including aerodynamics, structure, materials, propulsion, and control systems.
The group's vision is to revolutionize aircraft conceptual design (ACD) by integrating holistic aircraft system engineering with state-of-the-art modelling and simulation methods. We are particularly interested in the synergies between classical product development, complex cyber-physical systems engineering, holistic systems-of-systems engineering and classical multidisciplinary design analysis and optimization solving today's problems of unprecedented complexity. This also includes the way of working and organizational structure for product development campaigns.
Our research goals are multifaceted. We aim to address the current challenges in aircraft design, such as holistic MDO for minimized environmental impact, the paradigm shift from rule-based to dynamic AI-enabled data-driven design and analysis processes, and the development of new vehicle types and propulsion systems. In doing so, we aspire to contribute significantly to a sustainable aviation future, developing new aircraft types and technologies that are environmentally friendly and operationally efficient.
Collaboration is at the heart of our approach. We work closely with various academic and industrial partners to foster innovative research and practical solutions based on real-world problems. Our collaborations extend to working on cutting-edge projects, addressing the emerging markets in UAV systems, exploring new concepts of air transport operation, and dealing with system-of-systems development.
Education and knowledge transfer are integral to our mission. We are committed to nurturing the next generation of engineers and researchers through our closely linked teaching and research activities. Our courses are inspired by our research findings, offering students hands-on experiences in aircraft systems engineering, model abstraction, and simulations.
Our ultimate goal is to pave the way for a sustainable and resilient aviation future, facilitating all margins left and synergy effects across system boundaries. We are dedicated to exploring radical design changes, alternative propulsion systems, new fuel types, and new operational concepts to meet the demands of tomorrow´s air transportation. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of aerial vehicles!