Keynote Speaker Ⅰ

Prof. Dan Zhao

Fellow of The Academy of Royal Society of NEW Zealand (Academician)

Fellow of Engineering New Zealand

Fellow of European Academy of Sciences

Academician of European Academy of Sciences and Arts

University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

Speech Title: Aerodynamics Prediction of Propellers at Different Tilted Angles and Wind Flow Conditions for Small-size Multi-rotor UAVs

Abstract: Small-size multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) remain the platform of choice for many remote sensing applications. Thus, there is a need for developing a fast and accurate prediction model of rotor aerodynamic performance, aiming at improving and optimizing the future generation of UAVs. In this work, we have developed a physics-based propeller model capable of properly predicting the aerodynamic forces and moments under various flight conditions, such as hover, climb, and forward flight by utilizing three types of APC thin electric propellers. This corresponds to the related performances of the propellers with no wind flow, pure axial flow and a hybrid of pure axial and side flow. The present model is developed by extending the classical blade element momentum theory (BEMT) via considering the inflow effect and high angle-of-attack (AOA). Firstly, introducing the inflow effect is considered to overcome the limitations of the BEMT model in forward flight conditions, i.e., the difficulties caused by the variation of the induced flow with the angular position of the blades. Secondly, the high AOA aerodynamics, including post-stall, parameters are integrated into the present model, considering the extreme maneuvers that occur in UAV flights where the blades may stall. To validate the model prediction, a series of wind tunnel experiments are conducted. The present work provides interesting physical insights into advancing aerodynamic performance analysis for multiple types of propellers. Consequently, it could be applied to quickly predict the aerodynamic parameters of the propellers for optimizing UAV design and practical application.

Bio: Prof. Zhao has published 5 books, 5 patents and more than 300 archived papers on the SCI-indexed journals include Nature's journals. Total citations are approximately 11000 times and H-index=60 (Scopus based). He has been awarded with 11 fellowships like European Academy of Sciences, European Academy of Sciences and Arts, ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology, Royal Society of Chemistry, AIAA, Royal Aeronautical Society, Engineering New Zealand, Prof. Zhao has already supervised a dozen of PhD, postdoc fellows, and has accomplished and working on a number of research projects (~$18M) sponsored by various agencies and industries, like MBIE (NZ), Environment Canterbury Regional Council, Singapore Ministry of Education/Defense and Singapore Prime Minister Office (NRF). Prof. Zhao is acting as the CHIEF and associate editorship of 15 SCI-indexed journals.

Keynote Speaker Ⅱ

Prof. Renfu Li

Associate Fellow of AIAA, ASME Fellow

Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China

Speech Title: An study and analysis of Critical Technology in eVTOL/Flying Car

Bio: Professor Li，Chutian Talent Professor; ASME Fellow、AIAA Associate Fellow; Vice-Chair of the School of Aerospace Engineering, Dean of the Institute of UAV System, President of the Academic Committee of the School of Aerospace Engineering at HUST Professor Li obtained his B.S. degree from Beihang University, Ph.D. degree with honor from the school of aerospace engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, U.S.A. After having worked in US over 14 years, He was invited to HUST to establish the School of Aerospace Engineering. Professor Li has over thirty years experiences in aerospace engineering. He had also been involved grand scientific project. Professor Li’s major research filed covers: Flight Vehicle System Design, Intelligent Flight formation and Control, UVA system, etc. Professor has authorized over 120 sci papers、50 patents. He is the associate editor of AIAA Journal, editor committee of “Chinese Journal of Aeronautics”, etc.

Keynote Speaker Ⅲ

Prof. Zhang Ren

Beihang University, China

Speech Title: Research on Robust Formation Control Technology of UAV Swarm System

Abstract: This paper mainly introduces the research background and significance of formation control of UAV f swarm system, the important role and characteristics of formation control technology in cooperative operation of UAV f swarm system, the main challenges and key technologies of formation control technology research, the main progress of robust formation control of UAV f swarm system, and the application achievements of robust formation control technology of UAV swarm system.

Bio: Professor Zhang Ren, male, born in Puyang, Henan Province in September 1957. Professor, doctoral supervisor, School of Automation, Beihang University, director of "Precision Guidance Technology Research Center"; Distinguished professor of "Cheungkong Scholars Program" of the Ministry of Education, expert enjoying special government allowance issued by the State Council, young and middle-aged expert with outstanding contributions to national defense industry, member of the fifth Discipline Evaluation Group of the Degree Appraisal Committee of the State Council; Expert of "Precision Guidance Technology" Professional Group of General Armament Department, guidance expert of major research plan of Natural Science Foundation Commission, expert of a major national 863 project, deputy leader of "operation support" Professional Group of national civil aircraft special scientific research. Chairman and member of several professional committees of Chinese Aviation Society, Chinese Astronautics Society, Chinese Command and Control Society, and Chinese Automation Society; Deputy director and member of the academic committee of the state key laboratory of "control integration technology" and "aerospace intelligent control technology", deputy director and member of the editorial board of core journals such as "systems engineering and electronic technology", "electro-optics and control", "navigation positioning and timing" and so on.

Professor Zhang Ren has the application background of aircraft in aviation, aerospace and other high-tech fields, mainly engaged in the research of basic theory and technology in the fields of aircraft navigation, guidance and control, swarm intelligence and collaborative control. He has won one third prize of national scientific and technological invention, one first prize of technical invention of the Ministry of Education, one first prize of scientific and technological progress of China Command and Control Society, one first prize of invention and entrepreneurship award of China Invention Association, eight second prizes of provincial and ministerial scientific and technological progress, one second prize of China's domestic-university-research cooperation innovation achievements; one second prize of national teaching achievements, one first prize of Beijing teaching achievements. In recent years, he has published more than 500 high-level academic papers and 8 monographs, including more than 180 SCI citations, and has high academic attainments and academic reputation in the fields of international guidance navigation and control, swarm intelligence and collaborative control.

Keynote Speaker Ⅳ

Prof. George Zhu

Associate Fellow of AIAA

CAE, EIC, CSME, ASME Fellow

York University, Canada

Speech Title: Active Space Debris Remove by Spacecraft Swarm

Abstract: Autonomous robotic active debris removal is becoming more and more important. Unlike the existing approaches to capture and manuveour the unknown uncooperative debris with an advanced autonomous robotic system, we propose to use a swarm of small and simple spacecraft (i.e., CubeSats, Nanosats…) as a potential solution to the problem. Swarms bring robustness, flexibility, and cost-efficiency to the solution. The swarm architect is based on an effective behavior-based control approach that enables the decentralized capture of a tumbling rigid body by a swarm of free-flying CubeSats in orbit. Inspired by the swarm intelligence observed in aint colony and bird flock, the proposed swarm control incorporates a flocking behavior to maneuver the CubeSats in close proximity to the surfaces of the debris. Additionally, an anti-flocking behavior is employed to optimize the distribution of CubeSats, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the debris surfaces and encapsulation of the debris shape before triggering the capture. The CubeSats are equipped with a memory capacity that allows them to synchronize their capture on the macroscopic scale using only local individual observation of landmark points on the debris and communication with neighboring CubeSats. The control is entirely decentralized, and all swarm CubeSats are interchangeable, demonstrating a leaderless self-organizing multi-agent system. This approach demonstrates promising prospects for achieving coordinated swarm-based capture of unknown uncooperative tumbling debris.

Bio: Dr. ZhengHong (George) Zhu is a Professor and Tier 1 York Research Chair in Space Technology and Artificial Intelligence in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at York University in Toronto, Canada. He is also the founding Co-Director of the Manufacturing Technology Entrepreneurship Centre, Director of the Smart Autonomous Robotic Technology for Space Exploration program, and founding Director of Space Engineering Lab at the same institution. He served as the inaugural Academic Director of the Research Commons (2019-2022) at the Vice-President of Research and Innovation Office, the Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (2018-2019), and Undergraduate Program Director of Space Engineering (2009-2012). Dr. Zhu's research encompasses the dynamics and control of tethered spacecraft, autonomous space robotics, visual servo, computational control, CubeSat, and additive manufacturing in space. His Space Engineering lab, boasted $10+ million in state-of-the-art facilities to support research. He has published over 217 peer-reviewed journal papers and 179 conference proceedings. Dr. Zhu is a full Member of the International Academy of Astronautics; a College Member of the Royal Society of Canada; a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Canada, the Engineering Institute of Canada, the Canadian Society of Mechanical Engineering, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He is also an Associate fellow of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Dr. Zhu has received numerous accolades, including the 2024 Solid Mechanics Medal and the 2021 Robert W. Angus Medal from the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering; the 2024 Gold Medal and the 2019 Engineering R&D Medal from Ontario Professional Engineers Awards in Canada, and the 2021 York University President's Research Excellence Award. Finally, Dr. Zhu is featured in the Book, Canadians Who Innovate: The Trailblazers and Ideas That Are Changing the World, published in May 2024.