My research focuses on non-Gaussian stochastic system control, optimisation, filtering, and performance analysis. In particular, the stochastic distribution control, minimum entropy control, data-driven adaptive control, probabilistic decoupling control, non-Gaussian non-linear filtering, perofrmance enhancement for non-Gaussian systems. Inspired by the coupling analysis in probability sense, I presented the mutual coupling factor as an extension of the Hodgkin–Huxley model for axon membrane potential interaction. Following the research in neuroscience, I also inveistigate the links between data science, artificial intelligence, control theory and practical applications such as digital health monitoring, EEG-based BCI, etc.
I am a Member of IET, Senior Member of IEEE, Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA), Chartered Engineer (CEng) of British Engineering Council. In addition, I am an active committee member of Chinese Automation and Computing Society in the UK (CACSUK). I am serving many leading journals as reviewer, for example, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, IEEE Transations on Control Systems and Technology, etc. I am an external MSc supervisor at Shenyang University of Technology, China.
Guest editor: Special Issue- Uncertainties in large-scale networked control systems, AIMS Electronics and Electrical Engineering (Completed 2020)
Associate Editor: IEEE Access
PLOS ONE
Cluster Computing
Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing
PeerJ Computer Science
Journal of Complex Engineering Systems
Computational and Mathematical Methods at Hindawi
Editorial Board Member: AIMS Electronics and Electrical Engineering
Automation, Control and Intelligent Systems, SciencePG
COJ Robotics and Articial Intelligence
HighTech and Innovation Journal (HIJ), Ital Publication
Progress in Electrical Engineering, ARF India
International Journal of Robotics and Control Systems, ASCEE
International Journal of Research in Engineering and Advance Technology
Journal of Engineering Research and Sciences (JENRS)
You are always welcome to contact me if you are interested in PhD programmes with my team. Normally, I would like to discuss any fore-mentioned resesaerch topics with potential students.
aiR-Force: AI for Reliability-based Feature Optimisation, IDE funding, £61.5k, Co-I, 2021
Next Gen Drive Unit, Innovate UK, Innovate UK APC16, £221.4k, Co-I, 2020
PhD Scholarship Fee Waiver, 'Swarm robots navigation and its application '£38.1k, De Montfort University, 2019-2022.
Frontrunner Internship Scheme: Laboratory coordinator internship, £1.9k, PI, 2019.
Lower-Limb Exoskeleton Rehabilitation System Design: EEG-based Performance Optimisation and Control, Higher Education Innovation Funds (HEIF), £16.6k, PI, 2018-2020.
Bio-inspired Robotics Control Laboratory Construction, VC2020 Additional Funding, De Montfort University, £3.5k, PI, 2018-2019.
Non-academic impacts of the Local Industrial Enterprises, VC2020 Additional Funding, De Montfort University, £1.25k, PI, 2018-2019.
Brain-Computer-Interface Prototyping System: Data-based Filtering and Dynamic Characterisation, Higher Education Innovation Funds (HEIF), £13k, PI, 2017-2018
E-Psi workshop lead by research students, Research training project fund, DMU graduate school, £2k, Co-PI, 2017
General Chair: The 2nd International Workshop on Deep Learning for the Web of Things, The Web Conference 2022 (WWW'22)
General Chair: Special Session: Machine Learning Techniques for Consumer Electronics App., 2022 ICCE-TW
Special Session Chair: The 8th International Conference on Control, Automation and Robotics
Technical Programme Committee member, The 4th International Engineering Data- and Model-Driven Applications Workshop, (EDMA-2021), UKCI2021
Technical Programme Committee member, The 36th AAAI Conference on Arti cial Intelligence (AAAI-22), AI for Transportation workshop
Technical Programme Committee member, 2022 International Conference on Cyber-physical Social Intelligence.
Technical Programme Committee member, 2019 IEEE International Conference on Automation and Computing (ICAC 2019), Lancaster, UK, Sept. 7-8, 2019
Industry Chair, Chair of Poster Section and Technical Committee member, Smart World Congress (SWC’19), Leicester, UK, 23-27 August, 2019
Technical programme committee member, The 16thIEEE International Conference on Ubiquitous Intelligence and Computing (UIC’19), 19-23 August, 2019, Leicester, UK
Technical programme committee member, The 1stInternational Composite Conference on Automation and Artificial Intelligence (ICCAAI’19), 21-26 July, 2019, Shenyang, China
Invited talk (keynote), 'Novel Data-driven Distribution Control Framework', The 1stInternational Composite Conference on Automation and Artificial Intelligence (ICCAAI’19), 21-26 July, 2019, Shenyang, China
Invited talk (seminar), 'A novel data-driven stochastic distribution control framework for non-Gaussian stochastic non-linear systems', University of Bradford, Bradford, 9 May, 2019
Invited talk (seminar), 'State-estimation-based Performance Enhancement Framework for Practical Stochastic Systems', University of Liverpool, Liverpool, 28 February, 2019
Session Chair and technical programme committee member, 2018 IEEE International Conference on Automation and Computing (ICAC 2018), Newcastle, UK, Sept. 7-8, 2018
Invited talk (seminar), 'Probabilistic decoupling and its application in neural interaction', Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang, 21 May, 2018
Journal:
Liu, J., Liu, Y., & Zhang, Q. (2022). A Weight Initialization Method Based on Neural Network with Asymmetric Activation Function. Neurocomputing, 484, 171-182
Yin, X., & Zhang, Q. (2022) Backstepping-based state estimation for a class of stochastic nonlinear systems. Complex Engineering Systems, 2(1).
Tang, X., Zhou, Y., Zou, Y., & Zhang, Q. (2022). Variance and Entropy Assignment for Continuous-Time Stochastic Nonlinear Systems. Entropy, 24(1), 25.
Zhang, Q., & Wang, H. (2022). A novel data-based stochastic distribution control for non-Gaussian stochastic systems. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 67(3),1506-1513
Liu, Y., Zhang, Q., & Yue, H. (2021). Stochastic distribution tracking control for stochastic non-linear systems via probability density function vectorisation. Transactions of the Institute of Measurement and Control, 43(14), 3149-3157.
Hu, T., Zhao, J., Zheng, R., Wang, P., Li, X., & Zhang, Q. (2021). Ultrasonic based concrete defects identification via wavelet packet transforms and GA-BP neural network. PeerJ Computer Science, 7, e635.
Sheng, N., Zhang, D., & Zhang, Q. (2021). Fuzzy command filtered backstepping control for nonlinear system with nonlinear faults. IEEE Access, 9, 60409-60418.
Zhao, J., Hu, T., Zheng, R., Ba, P., Mei, C., & Zhang, Q. (2021). Defect recognition in concrete ultrasonic detection based on wavelet packet transform and stochastic configuration networks. IEEE Access, 9, 9284-9295.
Zhao, J., Hu, T., Zheng, R., Ba, P., & Zhang, Q. (2021). Design and Performance Analysis of an Ultrasonic System for Health Monitoring of Concrete Structure. Sensors, 21(19), 6606.
Zhang, Q., & Dai, X. (2020). Special Issue" Uncertainties in large-scale networked control systems". AIMS Electronics and Electrical Engineering, 4(4), 345-346.
Xiafei Tang, Qichun Zhang and Liang Hu, "An EKF-based Performance Enhancement Scheme for Stochastic Nonlinear Systems by Dynamic Set-point Adjustment," IEEE Access, 8, 2020
Xin Yin, Qichun Zhang, Hong Wang and Zhengtao Ding, "RBFNN-based Minimum Entropy Filtering for a Class of Stochastic Nonlinear Systems," IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 65(1), 376-381, 2020
Qichun Zhang, ''Performance enhanced Kalman filter design for non-Gaussian stochastic systems with data-based minimum entropy optimisation''. AIMS Electronics and Electrical Engineering, 2019, 3(4): 382-396.
Qichun Zhang, Liang Hu and John Gow, "Output Feedback Stabilization for Dynamic MIMO Semi-linear Stochastic Systems with Transient Optimisation," International Journal of Automation and Computing, 2019
Mifeng Ren, Qichun Zhang and Jianhua Zhang, "An Introductory Survey of Probability Density Function Control," Systems Science & Control Engineering, 7:1, 158-170, 2019
Yuyang Zhou, Qichun Zhang, Hong Wang, Ping Zhou and Tianyou Chai, "EKF-based Enhanced Performance Controller Design for Non-linear Stochastic Systems," IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 63(4), 1155-1162, 2018
Qichun Zhang, "Parametric Co-variance Assignment for a Class of Multi-variable Stochastic Uncertain Systems: Output Feedback Stabilization Approach," Advances in Science, Technology and Engineering Systems Journal (ASTESJ), Vol.3 No.5, 45-51, 2018
Qichun Zhang and Xin Yin, "Observer-based Parametric Decoupling Controller Design for a Class of Multi-variable Non-linear Uncertain Systems," Systems Science & Control Engineering, 6(1), 258-267, 2018
Qichun Zhang, Jinglin Zhou, Hong Wang and Tianyou Chai "Output feedback stabilization for a class of multi-variable bilinear stochastic systems with stochastic coupling attenuation," IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 62(6), 2936-2942, 2017
Qichun Zhang and Aiping Wang, "Decoupling Control in Statistical Sense: Minimized Mutual Information Algorithm," International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, 7(2), 61-70, 2016
Qichun Zhang, Zhuo Wang and Hong Wang, "Parametric covariance assignment using a reduced-order closed-form covariance model," Systems Science & Control Engineering, 4(1), 78-86, 2016
Zheng Fang, Qichun Zhangand Yucheng Qi, "A Rapid Control Prototyping System Based on DSP," Journal of Northeastern University (Natural Science), 30(8): 1069-1073, 2009. (In Chinese)
Chapter (book):
Zheng Fang, Jie Yang and Qichun Zhang. 2012. A Composite Drag and Drop Mechanism for Visual Programming in Control Educational Software. In: David Jin and Sally Lin eds. Advances in Electronic Commerce Web Application and Communication. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, pp. 395-402.
Qichun Zhang and Francisco Sepulveda. 2017. Modelling and Control Design for Membrane Potential Conduction along Nerve Fibre using B-spline Neural Network. In: Minrui Fei, et al. Advanced Computational Methods in Life System Modelling and Simulation. Springer, Singapore, pp. 53-62.
Conference:
Qichun Zhang and Hong Wang, "Probability Density Function Control for Stochastic Nonlinear Systems using Monte Carlo Simulation," in the 2020 IFAC world congress, Berlin, Germany, July 12-17, 2020
Qichun Zhang and Yue Hong, "Data-driven Distribution Control for non-Gaussian Stochastic Systems via PID Design, " in the 2019IEEE International Conference on Automation and Computing (ICAC 2019), Lancaster, UK, Sept. 7-8, 2019
Qichun Zhang, Zixiang Hu and Liang Hu, "EKF-based minimum entropy filtering for non-Gaussian Stochastic Systems using Polynomial compensation, " in the 2019IEEE International Conference on Automation and Computing (ICAC 2019), Lancaster, UK, Sept. 7-8, 2019
Qichun Zhang and Xuewu Dai, "Entropy-based iterative learning identification algorithm for non-Gaussian stochastic systems and its application on neural interaction characterisation, " in the 2019IEEE International Conference on Industrial Artificial Intelligence (IAI 2019), Shenyang, China, July 23-25, 2019
Qichun Zhang, Liang Hu and John Gow, "Output Feedback Stabilization for Dynamic MIMO Semi-linear Stochastic Systems with Output Randomness Attenuation, " in the 2018IEEE International Conference on Automation and Computing (ICAC 2018), Newcastle, UK, Sept. 7-8, 2018
Mifeng Ren, Qichun Zhang and Jianghua Zhang,"A Survey of the Probability Density Function Control for Stochastic Dynamic Systems, " in the 2018 IEEE International Conference on Automation and Computing (ICAC 2018), Newcastle, UK, Sept. 7-8, 2018
Qichun Zhang and Liang Hu, "Probabilistic Decoupling Control for Stochastic Nonlinear Systems using Estimation-based dynamic set-point adjustment, " in UKACC 2018, Sheffield, UK, Sept. 5-7, 2018
Qichun Zhang, Miguel Capllonch Juan and Francisco Sepulveda, "A model study of the neural interaction via mutual coupling factor identification," The 2017 39thAnnual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC’17), Jeju Island, Korea, July 11-15, 2017.
Qichun Zhang and Xin Yin, "Parametric Decoupling Control Strategy for a Class of Nonlinear Uncertain Systems via Observer-based Output Feedback, " in the 2017 IEEE International Conference on Automation and Computing (ICAC 2017), Huddersfield UK, 7-8 Sept. 2017.
Qichun Zhang and Francisco Sepulveda, "Modelling and Control Design for Membrane Potential Conduction along Nerve Fibre using B-spline Neural Network," in the joint International Conference on Life System Modelling and Simulation and International Conference on Intelligent Computing for Sustainable Energy and Environment (LSMS-ICSEE’2017), Nanjing, China, 22-24 September, 2017.
Qichun Zhang and Francisco Sepulveda, "RBFNN-based Modelling and Analysis for the Signal Reconstruction of Peripheral Nerve Tissue," in the 8th ACM Conference on Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, and Health Informatics (ACM BCB 2017), Boston, MA, USA, 20-23 August, 2017.
Qichun Zhang and Francisco Sepulveda, "A Statistical Description of Pairwise Interaction between the Nerve Fibres," in 8th International IEEE EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering (NER’17), Shanghai, China, 25-28 May, 2017.
Qichun Zhang and Francisco Sepulveda, "Entropy-based Axon-to-Axon Mutual Interaction Characterization via Iterative Learning Identification," in Joint conference of European Medical and Biological Engineering Conference (EMBEC) and Nordic-Baltic Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics(NBC), (EMBEC&NBC’17), Tampere, Finland, 11-15 June, 2017.
Qichun Zhang and Francisco Sepulveda, "On the Conduction of Nerve Signals along the Coupled Axons using Pairwise Statistical Description," in 9thInternational Conference on Intelligent Human-Machine Systems and Cybernetics(IHMSC’17), Hangzhou, China, 26-27 August, 2017.
Yuyang Zhou, Qichun Zhang and Hong Wang, "Enhanced Performance Controller Design for Stochastic Systems by Adding Extra State Estimation onto the Existing Closed Loop Control,"2016 11th (UKACC) International Conference on Control, Belfast, UK, Aug 31-Sept 2, 2016.
Qichun Zhang, Jinling Zhou, Hong Wang and Tianyou Chai, "Minimized Coupling in Probability Sense for a Class of Multivariate Dynamic Stochastic Control Systems," in 2015 IEEE 54th Annual Conference on Decision and Control (CDC), Osaka Japan, pp.1846-1851, 15-18 Dec. 2015.
Qichun Zhang, Zhuo Wang and Hong Wang, "Parametric Covariance Assignment using Reduced-order Closed-form Covariance Model, " in the 2015 IEEE International Conference on Automation and Computing (ICAC 2015), Glasgow UK, pp.1-6, 11-12 Sept. 2015
Qichun Zhang, Aiping Wang and Hong Wang, "Minimum Mutual Information Control for Multi-variable Non-Gaussian Stochastic Systems," in the 2015 International Conference on Advanced Mechatronic Systems (ICAMechS 2015), Beijing, pp.497-502, 22-24 Aug. 2015
Jie Yang, Zheng Fang and Qichun Zhang, "An extension mechanism and its application to educational software for real-time control experiment," in 2011 International Conference on Computer Science and Network Technology (ICCSNT 2011), vol.1, pp.450-454, 24-26 Dec. 2011
Zheng Fang, Yucheng Qi, Qichun Zhang and Tianyou Chai, "Design and implementation of a low cost dsp based rapid control prototyping system," in 4th IEEE Conference on Industrial Electronics and Applications (ICIEA 2009), 2009, vol., no., pp.1838-1843, 25-27 May 2009