This project is for continued research on a general purpose, optimization-based computer- aided-design methodology which will supplement and eventually displace many currently used heuristic techniques which form part of the engineering design cycle. Such a methodology is possible because (i) a large variety of engineering design problems can be transcribed into the form of a very small number of standard, semi-infinite optimization problems, and (ii) new system theoretic results facilitate the use of optimization in engineering design. The research is in three interrelated parts. The first part deals with topics in optimization algorithms for engineering design and optimal control: (i) optimal discretization procedures, (ii) superlinearly converging algorithms, (iii) global techniques for finding designs satisfying specifications, and (iv) optimal control algorithms for distributed parameter systems. The second part deals with topics in optimization- oriented system theory: (i) nonlinear system stabilization via moving horizon optimal control, and (ii) integrated design of flexible structures and their control systems. The third part deals with the development of an interactive software system which provides an appropriate environment for optimization- based computer-aided design.
