Education

College of Artificial Intelligence,    Nankai University (985, Double First Class),    Tianjin, China

• Ph.D. Candidate in Artificial Intelligence,    09/2021 - 06/2026 (expected)
• Supervisor: Prof. Sun Ning (Changjiang Young Scholars Program by the Ministry of Education)
• Research Interests: Underactuated robots planning and nonlinear/intelligent control, Suspended micro-low gravity simulation systems
• Major Courses: Intelligent predictive control, Nonlinear control based on Lyapunov method, Adaptive control, Modeling and identification, etc.

College of Communication Engineering,    Jilin University (985, Double First Class),    Changchun, China

• B.S. degree in Automation,    09/2017 - 06/2021
• Major Courses: Automatic control principles, Modern control theory, Electric drive automatic control system, Computer control system, etc.
• Ranking: 8/161 (Top 5%)    GPA: 3.79/4.0

Projects Leadership

1. Research on Variable Tension and Follow-Up Control of Suspension Systems Under Micro-Low Gravity Simulation Scenario
   Source: National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Youth Student Basic Research Project (for Ph.D. students)
   Introduction: This project aims to achieve high-fidelity simulation of the equivalent mechanical environment of a micro-low gravity field using suspension systems, providing feasible experimental conditions for ground-based research on the dynamic behavior of spacecraft on extraterrestrial bodies. Targeted system design, modeling, and control methods are developed. The outcomes will be practically implemented at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) 518 Institute, which is expected to contribute to ground validation for extraterrestrial exploration missions in China.

2. Research on Intelligent Predictive Control and Safety Trajectory Planning for Underactuated Robots
   Source: Ph.D. Dissertation Research
   Introduction: This research aims to address the common challenges in various underactuated robotic systems, where the number of independent control inputs is fewer than the system’s degrees of freedom. By analyzing and utilizing their dynamic structural characteristics and task demands, this research proposes a class of unified control and planning methods to enhance steady/transient performance, transient performance, safety, reliability, robustness, and intelligence in underactuated robotic systems.

Representative Research Achievements

• Meng Zhai, et al., “Extended Kalman filtering-based nonlinear model predictive control for underactuated systems with multiple constraints and obstacle avoidance,” IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics, 2025, 55(1): 369-382. [Paper Link]
• Meng Zhai, et al., “Underactuated mechanical systems with both actuator and actuated/unactuated state constraints: A predictive control-based approach,” IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, 2023, 28(3): 1359-1371. [Paper Link]
• Meng Zhai, et al., “Adaptive neural network unified control for general MIMO underactuated mechatronic systems with disturbances via modified normal forms,” IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 2025, 22: 19377-19391. [Paper Link]
• Meng Zhai, et al., “Adaptive fuzzy control for underactuated robot systems with inaccurate actuated states and unavailable unactuated states,” IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 2025, 22: 1566-1578. [Paper Link]
• Meng Zhai, et al., “Observer-based adaptive fuzzy control of underactuated offshore cranes for cargo stabilization with respect to ship decks,” Mechanism and Machine Theory, 2022, 175: 104927. [Paper Link]
• Meng Zhai, et al., “Safety follow-up control of underactuated suspension systems for spacecrafts with unknown motion trajectories,” Robot, in press, DOI: 10.13973/j.cnki.robot.250049. (in Chinese) [Paper Link]

Partially Granted Patents

• Ning Sun (Supervisor), Meng Zhai, et al., Nonlinear model predictive control algorithm for crane systems based on extended Kalman filtering,” China Invention Patent, Patent No.: ZL202410176342.2, Granted. [Certificate]
• Ning Sun (Supervisor), Meng Zhai, et al., A crane control method, system, medium, device, and product,” China Invention Patent, Patent No.: ZL202410674477.1, Granted. [Certificate]
• Bin Duan (Advisor), Meng Zhai, et al., A device and method for measuring eddy current braking law based on radial magnetic field, China Invention Patent, Patent No.: ZL202010547822.7, Granted. [Certificate]

Selected Awards & Honors

• 2025, Excellent Articles, The 1st Conference on Systems Engineering and Electronics [Certificate]
• 2025, Best Paper Award, The 2025 International Conference on Mechatronics, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence (MRAI 2025) [Certificate] [Souvenir photos]
• 2023, Best Poster Paper Award, The 7th Chinese Conference on Swarm Intelligence and Cooperative Control (CCSICC 2023) [Certificate] [Souvenir photos]
• 2025, The 3rd Autonomous Robotic Technology Seminar (ARTS 2025) Scholarship Nomination Award (8 candidates worldwide each year) [Certificate] [Souvenir photos]
• 2025, National Scholarship for Doctoral Students, Nankai University & BYD Scholarship
• 2025, Outstanding Graduate Student Leader, Nankai University [Certificate]
• 2025、2022, First Prize Gongneng Scholarship, Nankai University [Certificate]
• 2023, Merit Graduate Student, Nankai University [Certificate]
• 2022, First Prize, Robot Competition for College Student in Five Provinces (Municipalities and Autonomous Regions) of North China [Certificate]
• 2022, Outstanding Graduate Student, Nankai University [Certificate]
• 2021, Graduate Admission Scholarship, Nankai University [Certificate] & Wukong Investment Scholarship
• 2021, Outstanding Graduation Thesis (Design), Jilin University [Certificate]
• 2019, Second Prize, China Undergraduate Physics Tournament (CUPT) (Team Captain) [Certificate]
• 2018–2020, National Encouragement Scholarship [Certificates] at Jilin University for 3 consecutive years
• 2019–2021, Academic Scholarship [Certificates] at Jilin University for 3 consecutive years
• 2018–2021, Outstanding Student Representative [Certificates] at Jilin University for 4 consecutive years
• 2025, Institute of Robotics & Automatic Information System Badminton Tournament – Third Place in Men’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Team Event [Souvenir photos]

Academic Services

• Graduate Student Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) [Certificate]
• Student Member, Chinese Association for Artificial Intelligence (CAAI) [Certificate]
• Student Committee Member, Autonomous Robotic Technology Seminar (ARTS)
• Member, Tianjin Robotics Society (TRS)
• Independent Reviewer for several international journals and conferences: IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics, IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, IEEE Systems Journal, Nonlinear Dynamics, Information Sciences, ICRA, ACC, CDC, …