This project is a collaborative effort between research groups headed by Professor Ahmet N. Palazolgu at the University of California, Davis and Professor Jose A. Romagnoli at the University of Sydney. This award will provide support for the U.S. investigator to travel to Australia once each year for the next two years to spend a month working in the facilities at the University of Sydney which includes a unique pilot-plant distillation column with computer interface. The collaborative research is focused on the control of linear and nonlinear chemical processes with equal emphasis on both theoretical developments and experimental verification results. Development of control strategies for such processes ultimately benefits processing industries in both countries by assisting them to operate process units with greater confidence under controlled situations. Robust control and nonlinear control research are recognized as being among priority research in both countries. This study will utilize the complementary skills of the investigators in theoretical analysis and experimental design and the collaborative effort has the potential to provide new insights and solutions. The exchange visits by Dr. Romagnoli are supported through the Australian Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce (DITAC).
