Abstract: As technology pushes automation to greater degrees of autonomy, the verification  and  validation burden becomes more cost and time prohibitive. It has been well established that, as stated in AF Technology Horizons 2010, “It is possible to develop systems having high levels of autonomy, but it is the lack of suitable V&V methods that prevents all but relatively low levels of autonomy from being certified for use." This increased move towards further levels of autonomy has brought the certification need to a national level.

Abstract: How much should a person be allowed to interact with a controlled machine? If that machine is easily destabilized, and if the controller operating it is essential to its operation, the answer may be that the person should not be allowed any control authority at all. Using a combination of techniques coming from machine learning, optimal control, and formal verification, the proposed work focuses on a computable notion of trust that allows the embedded system to assess the safety of instruction.

Abstract: The physical environment of a cyber-physical system is unboundedly complex, changing continuously in time and space. An embodied cyber- physical system, embedded in the physical world, receives a high bandwidth stream of sensory information, and sends continuous control signals. Traditional embedded systems restrict the environment or the attributes considered relevant, and depend on human supervision.

Abstract: Many practical barriers continue to exist for a blind individual who strives to live an independent and active life, despite decades of development of assistive technologies. This project addresses the following two most prominent challenges: (1) disparity in information-sharing among people with visual impairment and its limited understanding by the research community; and (2) lack of methods and tools for effectively addressing the disparity.

Abstract: We consider the spread of an epidemic over a network using the SIS (susceptible-infected-susceptible) model where healthy nodes are susceptible and can be randomly and independently infected by their infected neighbors, and where infected nodes can randomly recover with a certain probability per unit time, independent of the state of their neighbors. In a network with n nodes, this yields a Markov chain with 2n states.

Abstract: Growing demands on our civil infrastructure have heightened the need for smart structural components and systems whose behavior and performance can be controlled under a variety of loading scenarios such as high winds and earthquakes.

Abstract: The objective of this NSF-CPS Synergy proposal is to develop a distributed algorithmic framework, supported by a highly fault-tolerant software system, for executing critical transmission-level operations of the North American power grid using gigantic volumes of Synchrophasor data.

Abstract: The project will demonstrate a holonic multi-agent system architecture (HMSA) capable of adaptively controlling future electrical power distribution systems, which are expected to include a large number of renewable power generators, energy storage devices, and advanced metering and control devices. The project will produce a general, extensible, and secure cyber architecture based on holonic multi-agent principles to support adaptive PDS.

Abstract: The project pursues two major goals addressing the verification of cyber-physical systems. Firstly, one goal of this project is to develop theory, practice, and applications of verification techniques for distributed hybrid systems with flexible system structures that can change by reconfiguring the system.

Abstract: This research proposal focuses on event-­‐based information acquisition, state estimation and control in the context of high dimensional cyber physical systems. In particular, as part of the cyber system a (set of) decision maker(s) or agents is responsible for the acquisition of information, learning, and control about the underlying physical system of interest. The information acquisition process may be instigated or adapted based on events in the systems.