Spiking control systems, nonlinear control, neuroscience and optimization – Rodolphe Sepulchre

Our guest in this episode is Rodolphe Sepulchre, Professor of Engineering at KU Leuven in the Deparment of Electrical Engineering (STADIUS) and at the University of Cambridge in the Deparment of Engineering (Control Group). We dive into Rodophe’s scientific journey across nonlinear control, neuroscience and optimization on manifolds through the unifying lens of control theory.

Outline
00:00 – Intro
03:54 – Why control?
11:08 – Spiking control systems
20:47 – The mixed feedback principle
23:52 – On thermodynamics
25:17 – Event-based systems
29:33 – On dissipativity theory
48:00 – Stability, positivity and monotonicity
55:00 – Control, cybernetics and neuroscience
59:10 – Neuromorphic control principles
01:00:01 – Optimization on manifolds
01:05:01 – Influential figures
01:08:52 – On the future of control
01:12:35 – Advice to future students
01:15:01 – About creativity
01:20:35 – Outro

Episode links
– Rodolphe’s lab: https://tinyurl.com/yc4bubyy
– IEEE CSM editorials: https://tinyurl.com/2bhch6w3
– Spiking control systems: https://tinyurl.com/3x6pwm9m
– O. Pamuk: https://tinyurl.com/4akzyk37
– Event based control: https://tinyurl.com/5apuh5kw
– A simple neuron servo: https://tinyurl.com/4pjnkx5u
– C. Mead: https://tinyurl.com/mr29xta9
– L. Chua: https://tinyurl.com/5n935ssp
– Inventing the negative feedback amplifier: https://tinyurl.com/4573rv2d
– Hodgkin-Huxley model: https://tinyurl.com/mr46cv79
– R. Ashby: https://tinyurl.com/45jrp6hw
– G. J. Minty: https://tinyurl.com/4u4v22ue
– J. C. Willems: https://tinyurl.com/3zthcxc2
– P. Kokotovic: https://tinyurl.com/mrymffch
– Wholeness and the Implicate Order: https://tinyurl.com/yckpnybp

Podcast info
Podcast website: https://www.incontrolpodcast.com/
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Acknowledgments and sponsors
This episode was supported by the National Centre of Competence in Research on «Dependable, ubiquitous automation» and the IFAC Activity fund. The podcast benefits from the help of an incredibly talented and passionate team. Special thanks to B. Seward, E. Cahard, F. Banis, F. Dörfler, J. Lygeros, as well as the ETH and mirrorlake studios. Music was composed by A New Element.