Organisation profile
Highlighted phrase
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” - Aristotle
Organisation profile
Our research focus is on developing integrated design methods that provide system-wide solutions for complex dynamic engineering systems. This research incorporates several related fields for efficient design space exploration and optimal system design: automated computational design synthesis for discrete topology design (system architecture generation); machine learning, data science and constraint programming techniques; integrated plant and control design (codesign) using model-based approaches and optimization theory. Current example applications are high-tech powertrain systems (e-machines, fuel cells, engines, transmissions, batteries, thermal management systems, controls, etc.) for the automotive (cars, trucks, buses, machinery equipment), maritime (tugs, work boats, ferries), and aerospace engineering (drones, planes) field and advanced energy charging infrastructures (e-trucks, e-ships, e-planes). Results are new computer-aided engineering methods, state-of-art (low-/high-level) control designs and software tools for product design making complex products affordable and in a reduced amount of time.
Introduction / mission
We aim at developing integrated design methods that provide system-wide solutions for complex dynamic engineering systems
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Our work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
-
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water
Fingerprint
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Profiles
-
Juan Pablo Bertucci
- Mechanical Engineering, Group Hofman - Doctoral Candidate
- Mechanical Engineering, MOVEMENT
Person: Prom. : doctoral candidate (PhD)
-
Olaf Borsboom
- Mechanical Engineering, Control Systems Technology - Research Fellow
- Mechanical Engineering, MOVEMENT
- Mechanical Engineering, Group Hofman - Research Fellow
Person: Prom. : doctoral candidate (PhD), OWP : University Teacher / Researcher
-
Mouhriz Boulghalgh
- Mechanical Engineering, Group Hofman - Doctoral Candidate
Person: Prom. : doctoral candidate (PhD)
-
Automated Three-dimensional Spatial Optimization for Multi-Domain Systems with Alignment Constraints
van Kampen, J. H. E. (Corresponding author), Salazar, M. & Hofman, T., 1 May 2026, In: Journal of Mechanical Design : Transactions of the ASME. 148, 5, 13 p., 051708.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
Experimental demonstration of time-efficient auto-calibration of a vehicle thermal management system using safe reinforcement learning
Garg, P. (Corresponding author), Silvas, E. & Willems, F. P. T., Jul 2026, In: Control Engineering Practice. 172, 10 p., 106944.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile10 Downloads (Pure) -
Optimal Sizing of Charging Energy Hubs for Heavy-Duty Electric Transport through Co-Optimization
Izadi, M., Zapico, D. F., Salazar, M. & Hofman, T., 2 Feb 2026, arXiv.org, 7 p.Research output: Working paper › Preprint › Academic
Open AccessFile10 Downloads (Pure)
Datasets
-
Photovoltaic Panel Manufacturing Inventory
Clemente, M. (Creator) & van Sundert, L. M. F. (Creator), Eindhoven University of Technology, 24 Jul 2024
Dataset
Prizes
-
Best Master Thesis Award 2023
van Kampen, J. H. E. (Recipient), 29 Sept 2023
Prize: TU/e › Other › Scientific
-
Best Student Paper Award
van Kampen, J. H. E. (Recipient), 15 Jul 2022
Prize: Other › Career, activity or publication related prizes (lifetime, best paper, poster etc.) › Scientific
-
ECCV Control Benchmark for Sustainable Transport Diploma
Vlaswinkel, M. (Recipient), Clemente, M. (Recipient), van Kampen, J. H. E. (Recipient), Vehlhaber, F. (Recipient) & Garg, P. (Recipient), 12 Jul 2023
Prize: Other › Career, activity or publication related prizes (lifetime, best paper, poster etc.) › Scientific
Activities
-
Deep Learning-Based Control of Hydrogen Dual-Fuel Engines
Willems, F. P. T. (Examiner)
17 Apr 2026Activity: Examination types › Examination › Scientific
-
Deep Learning for Time Series Forecasting and Fault Detection in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technologies
Willems, F. P. T. (Examiner)
5 Mar 2026Activity: Examination types › Examination › Scientific
-
Powering self-learning vehicle research through close collaboration with TNO and industry
Willems, F. P. T. (Speaker)
3 Feb 2026Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk › Professional
Press/Media
-
Self Learning Control: a breakthrough in efficient, low-emission automotive powertrains
Garg, P., Silvas, E. & Willems, F. P. T.
7/11/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
-
DENSO and TU Eindhoven report the first demonstration of a self learning thermal management system on BEV
Garg, P., Silvas, E., Puts, R., van Moergastel, B. & Willems, F. P. T.
24/05/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
-
Third Round National Growth Fund: Over 2.4 Billion Euros Awarded to Projects in Which TU/e is Involved
van der Spek, E. D., Anderson, P. D., Hofman, T., Ito, K., Maljaars, J., Hengeveld, B. J., Bergveld, H. J., Deen, N. G., Nijmeijer, K., Nieveen, N., Birk, M. V., Salazar Duque, E. M., Forner Cuenca, A. & Salazar, M.
30/06/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
Research areas
-
Automated system architecture generation
Hofman, T. (Researcher)
Impact: Research Topic/Theme (at group level)
-
Automotive & Mobility Systems
Hofman, T. (Researcher), Salazar, M. (Content manager), Hanselaar, C. (Content manager) & Wagemakers, N. (Content manager)
Impact: Research Topic/Theme (at group level)
-
Student theses
-
Agent-Based Modeling of Electric Vehicle Market Dynamics: Assessing Design Strategies and Consumer Interactions
Lakhotia, V. K. (Author), Hofman, T. (Supervisor 1) & Bertucci, J. P. (Supervisor 2), 9 Oct 2025Student thesis: Master
File -
AI-powered Design and Optimization for Complex Dynamic Systems
Oerlemans, L. G. B. (Author), Hofman, T. (Supervisor 1) & van Kampen, J. H. E. (Supervisor 2), 27 Nov 2025Student thesis: Master
File -
A model-based simulation tool for optimal component sizing for heavy-duty hybrid trucks
van Leeuwen, D. (Author), Hofman, T. (Supervisor 1) & de Jong, B. A. J. (Supervisor 2), 2011Student thesis: Master