Theo Hofman
Department / Institute
Group

RESEARCH PROFILE
Theo Hofman is an Associate Professor at the Mechanical Engineering Department at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). His research interests are developing integrated design methods that provide system-wide solutions for complex dynamic engineering systems. This research incorporates several related fields: automated computational design synthesis for discrete topology design using platform-based methods and constraint programming techniques, integrated plant and control design (co-design) using model-based approaches. Current applications are high-tech powertrain systems for the automotive and maritime engineering field. Results are new computer-aided engineering tools for product design making complex products affordable in a reduced time and new insights by applying these methods for a large range of fields that incorporate co-design and design space exploration.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Theo Hofman received his MSc (with honors) in 1999 and his PhD in 2007 both in Mechanical Engineering from TU/e. From 1999 to 2003, he was a researcher, project manager with the R&D Department of Thales–Cryogenics B.V. (Space, Defense), Eindhoven. From 2003 to 2007, he was a researcher, project manager at Drivetrain Innovations B.V. (Punch Powertrain N.V., 2013+), Eindhoven. From 2007 to 2009, he was post-doctoral fellow with the Control Systems Technology group. In addition, he is a Senior Contact (2009+) at the Modélisation Énergétique et Gestion d’Énergie des Véhicules Hybrides et électriques (MEGEVH) group, a French network on Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Theo has worked as Invited Professor at the l'Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France (2011, 2014, 2018), Int. Program (2004-2006, 2014) and Standing Committee member (2014+) of the IEEE Vehicle, Propulsion and Power Conference, Technical Program Committee member and Special session co-chair of IEEE VPPC11/VPPC14, co-chair IEEE Best Paper Award VPPC14/VPPC15, Guest Editor IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology (2015) and is an Associate Editor of the Int. J. of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (2006+), SAE Int. J. of Alternative Powertrains (2015+), Int. J. of Vehicle Performance (2015+), Editor of Vehicles (MDPI, 2018+), Guest Editor WEVA (2018), Editor IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology (2018+). He has successfully supervised over >110 MSc graduation, >10 PDEng, >15 PhD projects.
Key Publications
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Predictive energy management strategy including traffic flow data for hybrid electric vehicles
IFAC-PapersOnLine (2017) -
Hybrid vehicle energy management: singular optimal control
IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology (2017) -
Effects of using synthesized Driving Cycles on vehicle fuel consumption
IFAC-PapersOnLine (2017) -
Synthesis of realistic driving cycles with high accuracy and computational speed, including slope information
IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology (2016) -
Functional and cost-based automatic generator for hybrid vehicles topologies
IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics (2015)
Current Educational Activities
- Automotive systems engineering project
- Electric and hybrid vehicle powertrain design
- Advanced full-electric and hybrid powertrain design
- Spectrum of automotive
- Honors program professional development
- Honors program professional development
- Honors program professional development
- Spectrum of automotive
Ancillary Activities
No ancillary activities