Lead Researcher
Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta

Dr. David Gordon is an Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta. His research centers in the area of mechatronics, with a focus on both the simulation and experimental application of artificial intelligence (machine learning) strategies and optimal control to a range of power conversion systems. These include a wide range of applications including gasoline, diesel and Hydrogen combustion engines, electric machines and hydrogen fuel cells are considered. He is an expert in control systems, energy conversion, combustion engines, fuel cells, and machine learning. With a focus on the performance and optimization of combustion engines, he teaches MEC E 541 - Combustion Engines at the University of Alberta. His course covers the history of engine cycles, combustion theory, ignition, flame propagation, engine knock, fuel design, and emissions measurements. David’s research and teaching contributions are integral to advancing energy technologies and sustainable fuel solutions.

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Lead Researcher
Professor, Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta

Dr. C. R. (Bob) Koch received his B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, in 1985 and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, in 1986 and 1991, respectively. From 1991 to 1992 and from 1994 to 2001, he worked at Daimler-Benz/Daimler-Chrysler in Stuttgart, Germany, in powertrain and internal combustion engine control. From 1992 to 1994, he worked for General Motors at the powertrain control center. In 2001, he joined the Mechanical Engineering Department of the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, where he is a Professor. His research interests include vehicle propulsion systems, controls, machine learning control, sensors for mobile emission measurement and air quality, mechatronics, and control of distributed parameter systems. Prof. Koch is currently an Associate Editor for the Mechatronics Journal (Elsevier) and Control Engineering Practice.

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Hossein Mehnatkesh is a Ph.D. student at the University of Alberta, focusing on machine learning-based control strategies for Hydrogen/Diesel dual-fuel engines. He began his Ph.D. in 2023 and is a recipient of the 2024 Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship. Before starting his Ph.D., he worked for over two years as a control engineer, focusing on fault diagnosis in combustion engines. He achieved his M.Sc. in Applied Design and Control Engineering from Sharif University of Technology in 2020 and his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Khajeh Nasir Toosi University of Technology in 2018. His research focuses on modeling and controlling nonlinear dynamic systems using machine learning techniques and advanced control theories.

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My name is Julian Bedei, and I am a PhD student at RWTH Aachen University in Germany. Currently, I am on a research stay at the University of Alberta as a Visiting Research Fellow in David's group. My research focuses on hybrid Reinforcement Learning (RL) and Model Predictive Control (MPC) for Hydrogen Diesel Dual Fuel combustion. The goal is to combine the strengths of RL and MPC to potentially surpass the performance of each method when used individually. I am honored to have received a Junior Research Fellowship from RWTH Aachen University to make this exchange possible.

In Germany, my PhD research focuses on the safe control of Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition combustion through machine learning, utilizing neural networks and Reinforcement Learning. I am nearing the completion of my thesis.

In my free time, I enjoy running and mountaineering, and I look forward to exploring the mountains during my stay.

I am an MSc student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta, specializing in machine learning control for engines. My research integrates AI and control strategies to enhance system performance. I hold a BSc in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Computer Engineering, where I focused on AI applications. I have received the U of A Graduate Recruitment Scholarship. Outside of research, I enjoy calligraphy and exploring new technologies.

I'm a B.Sc student from RWTH Aachen University, Germany. I will recieve my M.Sc, when I finish my Master's thesis that I am currently writing in Edmonton. I focus on hybrid Model Predictive Control for our Hydrogen Diesel engine setup. I'm here under the RWTH Aachen - University of Alberta Junior Research Fellowship Program/Scholarship.

Some hobbies of mine include skiing and hiking, for which I am very excited to be here near the Rockies.