Scott A. Bortoff
- Phone: 617-621-7533
- Email:
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Position:
Research / Technical Staff
Chief Scientist,
Distinguished Research Scientist -
Education:
Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1992 -
Research Areas:
External Links:
Scott's Quick Links
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Biography
Scott's research interests are in applications of nonlinear and optimal control theory to motion control, path planning and process control problems. Before joining MERL in 2009, Scott led the Controls Group at the United Technology Research Center and previously was an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto.
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Recent News & Events
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TALK [MERL Seminar Series 2022] William M. Sisson presents talk titled Sustainability, Innovation and Technology Date & Time: Tuesday, December 20, 2022; 1:00 PM
Speaker: William M. Sisson, WBCSD North America
MERL Host: Scott A. BortoffAbstract
Sustainability today encompasses three interconnected imperatives that all businesses must face and help to address: the increasing impact of climate change, the degradation of natural systems, and the growth of inequality. Business leaders today are increasingly understanding, particularly with the engagement of capital markets, that investors, consumers, and other business stakeholders are setting expectations on how companies are responding to these challenges and preparing for their business impact. More and more companies have shifted from sustainability as a single function in the company to one the is integrated across the firm. This translates directly into how companies are rethinking their product design and innovation efforts for sustainability and the technologies they will require. Some product categories, like heating and air conditioning systems for buildings, are both a part of the problem as well as potentially offering real solutions.
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NEWS MERL Contributes to the 2022 American Modelica Conference Date: October 26, 2022 - October 28, 2022
Where: American Modelica Conference 2022
MERL Contacts: Scott A. Bortoff; Christopher R. Laughman
Research Area: Multi-Physical ModelingBrief- MERL researchers provided some key contributions to the 2022 American Modelica Conference, held October 26-28 at the University of Texas, Dallas. Chris Laughman, Senior Team Leader, Multiphysical Systems, was the Executive Coordinator of the conference, and worked to plan and stage the event. Scott A. Bortoff, Chief Scientist, gave a keynote address entitled "Sustainable HVAC: Research Opportunities for Modelicans." The talk posed the question: What are the modeling and control research challenges that, if addressed, will drive meaningful innovation in sustainable building HVAC systems in the next 20 years? In addition, the paper "Performance Enhancements for Zero-Flow Simulation of Vapor Compression Cycles," by Principal Research Scientist Hongtao Qiao and Chris Laughman, was a finalist for the conference Best Paper Award.
See All News & Events for Scott -
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Internships with Scott
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MS2005: Modeling and Control of Robotic Contacts and Collisions
MERL is seeking a highly motivated and qualified intern to conduct research into
hybrid modeling and control of object contact and collision for precise robotic assembly.
The ideal candidate is expected to be working toward a Ph.D. or equivalent degree
in the area of modeling and control of hybrid systems (those with both continuous and
discrete states), with strong knowledge and interest in differential algebraic
equations (DAEs), nonlinear and hybrid control theory, geometric algebra
and coordinate-free geometric methods. The research involves formalizing and extending
a hybrid DAE-based method of modeling the physics of object contact and collision to
include acausal effects of friction, address contact constraints of dimension
greater then one among objects, and formalize the method using hybrid systems theory
to study well-posedness issues and enable application of optimal control theory for
path planning and control of robotic assembly problems. The expected start of of the
internship is in the late Spring/Early Summer 2022, for a duration of 3-6 months.
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MERL Publications
- , "Simulation Failure Robust Bayesian Optimization for Data-Driven Parameter Estimation", IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems, DOI: 10.1109/TSMC.2022.3216790, December 2022.BibTeX TR2022-168 PDF
- @article{Chakrabarty2022dec2,
- author = {Chakrabarty, Ankush and Bortoff, Scott A. and Laughman, Christopher R.},
- title = {Simulation Failure Robust Bayesian Optimization for Data-Driven Parameter Estimation},
- journal = {IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems},
- year = 2022,
- month = dec,
- doi = {10.1109/TSMC.2022.3216790},
- url = {https://www.merl.com/publications/TR2022-168}
- }
- , "Estimation: A Key Technology for Digital Twins", Mitsubishi Sanden Gihou, October 2022.BibTeX TR2022-127 PDF
- @article{Bortoff2022oct,
- author = {Bortoff, Scott A. and Laughman, Christopher R.},
- title = {Estimation: A Key Technology for Digital Twins},
- journal = {Mitsubishi Sanden Gihou},
- year = 2022,
- month = oct,
- url = {https://www.merl.com/publications/TR2022-127}
- }
- , "Modeling, Simulation and Control of Turboelectric Propulsion Systems for More Electric Aircrafts using Modelica", AIAA Aviation Forum, DOI: 10.2514/6.2022-3873, June 2022, pp. 3873.BibTeX TR2022-087 PDF
- @inproceedings{deCastro2022jun,
- author = {de Castro, Marcelo and Wang, Yebin and Vanfretti, Luigi and Wang, Hongyu and Liu, Dehong and Bortoff, Scott A. and Takegami, Tomoki},
- title = {Modeling, Simulation and Control of Turboelectric Propulsion Systems for More Electric Aircrafts using Modelica},
- booktitle = {AIAA Aviation Forum},
- year = 2022,
- pages = 3873,
- month = jun,
- doi = {10.2514/6.2022-3873},
- url = {https://www.merl.com/publications/TR2022-087}
- }
- , "H-Infinity Loop-Shaped Model Predictive Control with HVAC Application", IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, DOI: 10.1109/TCST.2022.3141937, Vol. 30, No. 5, pp. 2188-2203, March 2022.BibTeX TR2022-028 PDF
- @article{Bortoff2022mar,
- author = {Bortoff, Scott A. and Schwerdtner, Paul and Danielson, Claus and Di Cairano, Stefano and Burns, Daniel J.},
- title = {H-Infinity Loop-Shaped Model Predictive Control with HVAC Application},
- journal = {IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology},
- year = 2022,
- volume = 30,
- number = 5,
- pages = {2188--2203},
- month = mar,
- doi = {10.1109/TCST.2022.3141937},
- issn = {1063-6536},
- url = {https://www.merl.com/publications/TR2022-028}
- }
- , "Accelerating self-optimization control of refrigerant cycles with Bayesian optimization and adaptive moment estimation", Applied Thermal Engineering, DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.117335, Vol. 197, pp. 117335, February 2022.BibTeX TR2022-010 PDF
- @article{Chakrabarty2022feb,
- author = {Chakrabarty, Ankush and Danielson, Claus and Bortoff, Scott A. and Laughman, Christopher R.},
- title = {Accelerating self-optimization control of refrigerant cycles with Bayesian optimization and adaptive moment estimation},
- journal = {Applied Thermal Engineering},
- year = 2022,
- volume = 197,
- pages = 117335,
- month = feb,
- doi = {10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.117335},
- url = {https://www.merl.com/publications/TR2022-010}
- }
- , "Simulation Failure Robust Bayesian Optimization for Data-Driven Parameter Estimation", IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems, DOI: 10.1109/TSMC.2022.3216790, December 2022.
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Software Downloads
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Videos
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MERL Issued Patents
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Title: "Controlling Vapor Compression System Using Probabilistic Surrogate Model"
Inventors: Chakrabarty, Ankush; Laughman, Christopher; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 11,573,023
Issue Date: Feb 7, 2023 -
Title: "Extremum Seeking Control with Stochastic Gradient Estimation"
Inventors: Chakrabarty, Ankush; Danielson, Claus; Bortoff, Scott A.; Laughman, Christopher
Patent No.: 11,467,544
Issue Date: Oct 11, 2022 -
Title: "System and Method for Power Optimizing Control of Multi-Zone Heat Pumps"
Inventors: Bortoff, Scott A.; Burns, Daniel J; Laughman, Christopher; Qiao, Hongtao
Patent No.: 10,895,412
Issue Date: Jan 19, 2021 -
Title: "System and Method for Controlling Refrigerant in Vapor Compression System"
Inventors: Laughman, Christopher; Qiao, Hongtao; Burns, Daniel J; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 10,830,515
Issue Date: Nov 10, 2020 -
Title: "System and Method for Thermal Comfort Control"
Inventors: Bortoff, Scott A.; Laughman, Christopher
Patent No.: 10,767,887
Issue Date: Sep 8, 2020 -
Title: "Motion Controller for Real-Time Continuous Curvature Path Planning"
Inventors: Bortoff, Scott A.; Wang, Yebin; Dai, Jin
Patent No.: 10,591,915
Issue Date: Mar 17, 2020 -
Title: "System and Method for Controlling Vapor Compression Systems"
Inventors: Burns, Dan J; Laughman, Christopher; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 10,495,364
Issue Date: Dec 3, 2019 -
Title: "Control of Redundant Laser Processing Machines"
Inventors: Di Cairano, Stefano; Haghighat, Sohrab; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 10,307,863
Issue Date: Jun 4, 2019 -
Title: "Coordinated Operation of Multiple Space-Conditioning Systems"
Inventors: Laughman, Christopher; Qiao, Hongtao; Burns, Daniel J; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 10,234,158
Issue Date: Mar 19, 2019 -
Title: "System and Method for Controlling Multi-Zone Vapor Compression Systems"
Inventors: Burns, Daniel J; Di Cairano, Stefano; Bortoff, Scott A.; Laughman, Christopher
Patent No.: 10,174,957
Issue Date: Jan 8, 2019 -
Title: "Method and System for Controlling Angular Speeds of Motors in Speed Sensorless Induction Motors"
Inventors: Wang, Yebin; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 9,985,563
Issue Date: May 29, 2018 -
Title: "System and Method for Controlling Vapor Compression Systems"
Inventors: Burns, Daniel J; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 9,915,456
Issue Date: Mar 13, 2018 -
Title: "Control of Processing Machines with Redundant Actuators"
Inventors: Di Cairano, Stefano; Goldsmith, Abraham M.; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 9,744,620
Issue Date: Aug 29, 2017 -
Title: "System and Method for Calibrating Laser Processing Machines"
Inventors: Goldsmith, Abraham M.; Bortoff, Scott A.; Shilpiekandula, Vijay; Sullivan, Alan; Yerazunis, William S.; Barnwell, John C.
Patent No.: 9,718,146
Issue Date: Aug 1, 2017 -
Title: "Method and System for Computing Reference Signals for Machines with Redundant Positioning"
Inventors: Haghighat, Sohrab; Di Cairano, Stefano; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 9,696,709
Issue Date: Jul 4, 2017 -
Title: "System and Method for Controlling of Vapor Compression System"
Inventors: Burns, Daniel J; Jain, Neera; Laughman, Christopher; Di Cairano, Stefano; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 9,625,196
Issue Date: Apr 18, 2017 -
Title: "System and Method for Controlling Vapor Compression Systems"
Inventors: Burns, Daniel J; Laughman, Christopher; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 9,534,820
Issue Date: Jan 3, 2017 -
Title: "Motion-Control System for Performing Different Tasks"
Inventors: Wang, Yebin; Jiang, Yu; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 9,529,341
Issue Date: Dec 27, 2016 -
Title: "System and Method for Controlling Temperature and Humidity in Multiple Spaces using Liquid Desiccant"
Inventors: Laughman, Christopher; Burns, Daniel J; Bortoff, Scott A.; Waters, Richard C.
Patent No.: 9,518,765
Issue Date: Dec 13, 2016 -
Title: "Optimization of System Control Based on Solving Multi-Point Boundary Value Problems"
Inventors: Wang, Yebin; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 9,378,469
Issue Date: Jun 28, 2016 -
Title: "System and Method for Controlling Redundant Actuators of a Machine"
Inventors: Shilpiekandula, Vijay; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 9,261,872
Issue Date: Feb 16, 2016 -
Title: "System and Method for Controlling Semi-Active Actuators Arranged to Minimize Vibration in Elevator Systems"
Inventors: Wang, Yebin; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 9,242,837
Issue Date: Jan 26, 2016 -
Title: "Determining Trajectories of Redundant Actuators Jointly Tracking Reference Trajectory"
Inventors: Shilpiekandula, Vijay; Brand, Matthew E.; Srikanth, Manohar; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 9,170,580
Issue Date: Oct 27, 2015 -
Title: "Elevator Rope Sway Estimation"
Inventors: Benosman, Mouhacine; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 9,096,411
Issue Date: Aug 4, 2015 -
Title: "Method for Determining Trajectory of Multi-Motor Control System Avoiding Obstacle"
Inventors: Wang, Yebin; Yu, Han; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 9,076,337
Issue Date: Jul 7, 2015 -
Title: "Elevator Rope Sway Estimation"
Inventors: Benosman, Mouhacine; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 9,045,313
Issue Date: Jun 2, 2015 -
Title: "Cabling Configuration for Railless Elevators"
Inventors: Shilpiekandula, Vijay; Yerazunis, William S.; Barnwell, III, John C.; Bortoff, Scott A.; Katz, Joseph
Patent No.: 8,978,831
Issue Date: Mar 17, 2015 -
Title: "Laser Cutting Machine"
Inventors: Yerazunis, William S.; Barnwell, III, John C.; Bortoff, Scott A.; Shilpiekandula, Vijay; Goldsmith, Abraham M.
Patent No.: 8,921,734
Issue Date: Dec 30, 2014 -
Title: "Controller for Reducing Vibrations in Mechanical Systems"
Inventors: Benosman, Mouhacine; Shilpiekandula, Vijay; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 8,855,826
Issue Date: Oct 7, 2014 -
Title: "System and Method for Controlling Semi-Active Actuators Arranged to Minimize Vibration in Elevator Systems"
Inventors: Wang, Yebin; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 8,849,465
Issue Date: Sep 30, 2014 -
Title: "An Energy Efficient Motion Control System"
Inventors: Wang, Yebin; Koichiro, Ueda; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 8,816,627
Issue Date: Aug 26, 2014 -
Title: "System and Method for Controlling Semi-Active Actuators"
Inventors: Wang, Yebin; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 8,768,522
Issue Date: Jul 1, 2014 -
Title: "Method for Generating Trajectories for Motor Controlled Actuators"
Inventors: Wang, Yebin; Bortoff, Scott A.; Zhao, Yiming
Patent No.: 8,700,190
Issue Date: Apr 15, 2014 -
Title: "System and Method for Controlling Operations of Vapor Compression"
Inventors: Bortoff, Scott A.; Burns, Dan J; Laughman, Christopher
Patent No.: 8,694,131
Issue Date: Apr 8, 2014 -
Title: "Base Vibration Attenuation and Load Tracking in Mechanical System"
Inventors: Shilpiekandula, Vijay; Bortoff, Scott A.
Patent No.: 8,513,906
Issue Date: Aug 20, 2013
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Title: "Controlling Vapor Compression System Using Probabilistic Surrogate Model"
