Professor Jie Bao
PhD (Process Control) Qld
BE, ME Zhejiang
Professor Jie Bao is a Process Control expert of international repute, particularly in dissipativity/passivity based process control. He is the Director of ARC Research Hub for Integrated Energy Storage Systems and also leads the Process Control Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering. He has been awarded over AUD 17 million competitive research funding (excluding infrastructure funding) in the field of process control, control theory and applications, including 13 Australian Research Council Discovery Projects/ARC Large grants, 1 CSIRO National Flagship project, 1 ARC Industry Research Hub Project, 1 Australian Coal Association Research Program project and several major industrial research grants. His research interests include dissipativity theory-based process control, networked and distributed control systems, system behavioural theory and control applications in membrane separation, flow batteries, coal preparation and Aluminium smelting. He has published extensively in major process control and chemical engineering journals. He is an Associate Editor of Journal of Process Control (an International Federation of Automatic Control affiliated journal) and Associate Editor of Digital Chemical Engineering (an IChemE affiliated journal). He is appointed by the ARC to the College of Experts. He also serves on the International Federation of Automatic Control Technical Committees: Chemical Process Control (TC6.1); Mining, Mineral and Metal Processing (TC6.2).
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
Selected Competitive Research Grants (excluding Infrastructure funding)
|
Title of project and names of Chief Investigators |
Source and scheme |
Duration |
Amount AUD$ |
|
A Probabilistic Approach to Big Data-Based Industrial Process Control (DP250101137) Chief Investigator: J. Bao |
ARC Discovery Projects (Category 1 grant) |
2025-2027 |
$578K |
|
Big Data-based Distributed Control using a Behavioural Systems Framework (DP240100300) Chief Investigator: J. Bao |
ARC Discovery Projects (Category 1 grant) |
2024-2026 |
$432K |
|
ARC Research Hub for Smart Process Design and Control (IH230100010) Key Chief Investigators: A.B. Yu, V. Strezov, J. Bao, G.X. Wang, Y.S. Shen |
ARC Industry Research Hub (Category 1 grant) |
2023-2027 |
$5,035K |
|
Long Duration Energy Storage Solutions by Using Vanadium Flow Batteries Chief Investigators: J. Bao (co-lead), C. Menictas (co-lead), M. Skyllas-Kazacos |
Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) Program/Rio Tinto |
2023-2026 |
$1,815K |
|
Data-based Control of Process Feature Dynamics through Latent Behaviours (DP220100355) Chief Investigator: J. Bao |
ARC Discovery Projects (Category 1 grant) |
2022-2024 |
$405K |
|
Improved Redox Flow Batteries and Integration into the Grid Chief Investigators: C. Menictas, J. Bao, M. Skyllas-Kazacos, K. Meng |
ARC Research Hub/Industry |
2022-2024 |
$996K |
|
A System Behavioral Approach to Big Data-driven Nonlinear Process Control (DP210101978) Chief Investigator: J. Bao International Partner Investigator: B. Huang (University of Alberta) |
ARC Discovery Projects (Category 1 grant) |
2021-2023 |
$449K |
|
ARC Research Hub for Integrated Energy Storage Solutions (IH180100020) Key Chief Investigators: J. Dong, G.X. Wang, R. Amal, K.F. Aguey-Zinsou, J. Bao Current role: Hub Director and Virtual Storage Theme Leader |
ARC Industry Research Hub (Category 1 grant) |
2019-2025 |
$3,058K |
|
Power Modulation of Aluminium Smelting Cells for Power Demand–Supply Balancing Chief Investigators: J. Bao, B.J. Welch, M. Skyllas-Kazacos |
ARC Research Hub/Industry (Emirate Global Aluminium) co-funding |
2020-2024 |
$1,000K |
|
A Distributed Optimization-based Approach to Flexible Plantwide Control using Differential Dissipativity (DP180101717) Chief Investigator: J. Bao International Partner Investigator: J.F. Liu (University of Alberta) |
ARC Discovery Projects (Category 1 grant) |
2018-2020 |
$383K |
|
Advanced Distributed Cell Control for Aluminium Smelting Cells Chief Investigators: J. Bao and B.J. Welch |
Industry (Emirate Global Aluminium) |
2018-2023 |
$867K |
|
Advanced Anode Current Monitoring System for Aluminium Reduction Cells, UNSW-EGA Collaborative Research Project Chief Investigators: J. Bao, B.J. Welch and Y.C. Yao |
Industry (Emirate Global Aluminium) |
2020-2023 |
$209K |
|
An Integrated Approach to Distributed Fault Diagnosis and Fault-tolerant Control for Plantwide Processes (DP160101810) Chief Investigator: J. Bao |
ARC Discovery Projects (Category 1 grant) |
2016-2018 |
$285K |
|
Control of Distributed Energy Storage System using Vanadium Batteries (DP150103100) Chief Investigators: J. Bao, M. Skyllas-Kazacos |
ARC Discovery Projects (Category 1 grant) |
2015-2017 |
$341K |
|
Dissipativity based Distributed Model Predictive Control for Complex Industrial Processes (DP130103330) Chief Investigator: J. Bao International Partner Investigator: J.F. Liu (University of Alberta) |
ARC Discovery Projects (Category 1 grant) |
2013-2015 |
$315K |
|
Anode current distribution monitoring and analysis Chief Investigators: J. Bao, M. Skyllas-Kazacos and B.J. Welch |
Industry (DUBAL) |
2013-2015 |
$528K |
|
Feedback destabilizing control of electro-osmotic flow for reducing fouling and enhancing productivity of membrane systems (DP110101643) Chief Investigators: J. Bao and D.E. Wiley International Partner Investigator: A. Alexiadis |
ARC Discovery Projects (Category 1 grant) |
2011-2014 |
$276K |
|
Advanced Dynamic Control for Paste Thickeners – First stage for control of complete CHPPs (C21055) Chief Investigators: J. Bao (UNSW project leader), G. Bickert (GBL Process project leader) |
Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) (Category 1 grant) |
2012-2013 |
$131K |
|
Plantwide control of modern chemical processes from a network perspective (DP1093045) Chief Investigator: J. Bao International Partner Investigator: B.E. Ydstie (Carnegie Mellon University) |
ARC Discovery Projects (Category 1 grant) |
2010-2014 |
$280K |
|
Breakthrough Technology for Primary Aluminium - Advanced Control (process data and regulation approaches) (Project 9B) Chief Investigators: J. Bao, B.J. Welch and M. Skyllas-Kazacos |
CSIRO Light Metal National Flagship Research Cluster Fund (Category 1 grant) |
2009-2012 |
$438K |
|
Dynamic Controllability Analysis for Plantwide Process Design and Control (DP0558755) Chief Investigators: J. Bao and P.L. Lee |
ARC Discovery Projects (Category 1 grant) |
2005-2007 |
$178K |
|
Defining Fundamental Principles for the Design and Operation of Membrane Systems from Time-Varying Performance Analysis (DP0343073) Chief Investigators: D.E. Wiley, J. Bao, D.J. Clements and D.F. Fletcher |
ARC Discovery Projects (Category 1 grant) |
2003-2005 |
$375K |
|
Passivity-based Fault-tolerant Decentralized Control for Linear and Nonlinear Processes (A00104473) Chief Investigators: J. Bao and P.L. Lee |
ARC Large Projects (Discovery) (Category 1 grant) |
2001-2003 |
$201K |
|
Interaction analysis and decoupling control of complex processes (CH060018) Chief Investigator: J. Bao |
DEST International Science Linkages |
2007-2009 |
$16K |
|
Studies on Failure-tolerant Decentralised Control based on the Passivity Theorem Chief Investigator: J. Bao |
ARC small (Category 1 research grant) |
2000 |
$16K |
CURRENT/RECENT RESEARCH PROJECTS:
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A Probabilistic Approach to Big Data-Based Industrial Process Control (DP250101137, 2025-2027, $578K)
Chief Investigator: Prof. J. Bao
Based on the behavioural systems theory for stochastic systems, this project aims to develop a novel probabilistic behavioural process control approach by utilizing big industrial process operation data. Unlike many existing data-driven control methods for deterministic systems, the proposed approach deals with the uncertain operation conditions encountered in daily industry operations by using the statistical information from big process data and controlling the probability distribution of process variables (e.g., leading to products with more consistent specifications). The research outcomes are expected to help the Australian process industries leverage the power of Industry 4.0 to improve the efficiency and economy of their operations.
Supported by the Australian Research Council. -
Big Data-based Distributed Control using a Behavioural Systems Framework (DP240100300, 2024-2026, $432K)
Chief Investigator: Prof. J. Bao
With Industry 4.0 turning into reality, industrial processes are becoming distributed cyber-physical systems which generate, process, store and communicate large amounts of data. Using the behavioural systems framework, this project aims to develop a novel distributed control approach for complex processes directly based on big process data. A new model-free framework will be developed to represent and analyse the process/controller networks and interaction effects, and determine the feasibility of desired control performance under distributed control. Novel big data-based distributed control designs will be developed by extending the dissipativity, contraction and differential dissipativity conditions for behavioural systems.
Supported by the Australian Research Council.
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ARC Research Hub for Smart Process Design and Control (IH230100010, 2023-2027, $5,035K)
Key chief investigators: Prof. A.B Yu, Prof. V. Strezov, Prof. J. Bao, Prof. G.X. Wang, Prof. Y.S. Shen
The Research Hub aims to develop and apply advanced computational technologies to model and optimise complex multiphase processes by integrating the novel multiscale and AI modelling approaches. The outcomes include theories, computer models and simulation techniques, advanced knowledge about process modelling and optimisation, innovative technologies and processes for low carbon operations, and tens of postdoc and PhD students through academic, industrial and international collaboration. Their application will significantly improve energy/process efficiency and reduce CO2 emission. The Hub will generate a significant impact on the mineral and metallurgical industries which are important to Australia.
Supported by the Australian Research Council.
-
Long Duration Energy Storage Solutions by Using Vanadium Flow Batteries (2023-2026, $1,815K)
Chief Investigators: Prof. J. Bao (co-lead), A/Prof. C. Menictas (co-lead), Prof. M. Skyllas-Kazacos
This project will develop technologies to optimize the design and operations of Vanadium Flow Batteries to improve their technical and economic viability for applications to remote grid mine sites. This includes technoeconomic modelling and analysis in a range of applications including operations for commercialisation pathways. Advanced VFB online monitoring and control approaches will be developed to improve the battery efficiency and longevity.
Supported by Australian Government Trailblazer program and Rio Tinto.
-
Control of Feature Dynamics Distilled from Big Process Data through Latent Variable Behaviours (ARC Discovery Projects DP220100355, 2022-2024, $405K)
Chief Investigator: Prof. J. Bao