MAE 298 SEMINAR: Smarter Sensing through Control - From Tracking Molecules to Guiding Robots

Abstract: Measurements are not created equal: the value of data depends critically on when, where and how it is collected. In this talk, I will explore how control theory can be used to shape measurements that matter, highlighting its impact in two strikingly different domains. First, at the nanometer scale, I will introduce Real-Time, Feedback-Driven Single Particle Tracking (RT-FDSPT), a technique that follows individual biological macromolecules as they move within living cells. By combining nonlinear control with Fisher information–based design, we can reveal hidden details of biological processes inside this complex, dynamic environment. Second, at the macroscopic scale, I will present new methods for structural mapping and navigation with limited-resource robots. Here, we exploit the predictability of spatial layouts to reduce the number of measurements required, extracting maximum insight from minimal data. Together, these stories illustrate how tailoring control for sensing and estimation opens new pathways — from uncovering the behavior of single molecules to enabling autonomous robots to understand and navigate their world.

Bio: Sean B. Andersson received his bachelor's degree in applied and engineering physics from Cornell University (1994), his master's degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University (1995) and his doctorate in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park (2003). He worked at AlliedSignal Aerospace and then Aerovironment before pursuing his Ph.D. After completing that degree, he was a lecturer in applied mathematics before joining Boston University in 2003 where he is currently professor and chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department and a professor of systems engineering. His research interests are in systems and control theory with applications in biophysics and robotics.