Real-time, self-learning identification and stochastic optimal control of advanced powertrain systems.

2008 ii To my wife, Voula, and to my daughter, Georgina iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS When I came to Ann Arbor, I could never imagine that during the years to come I would have the most wonderful and productive time in my life. I had the chance to have come across a lot of wise and wonderful people. Their guidance and support have been invaluable. I was extremely fortunate to have two remarkably supportive advisors, Professor Dennis Assanis and Professor Panos Papalambros. They provided friendly warmth, challenges, continuing support throughout my studies while affording me a tremendous amount of freedom and responsibility. Professor Assanis is the reason that I decided to attend the University of Michigan for graduate school. I had come across his research activities at the Automotive Research Center (ARC) while still undecided about the graduate school I should attend. It took me just seconds to realize that this was the research environment I was looking for. When I met him and expressed my strong interest to join his group, I got impressed by his depth of thought, his openness, and his critical eye. Professor Assanis offered an extraordinary depth of knowledge in advanced powertrain systems, and he was a noble teacher and mentor. I would like to sincerely thank him for giving me the opportunity to join his research group at the University of Michigan. During the first year of my studies, I had the privilege to meet Professor Papalambros while taking the Design Optimization class. I believe that this meeting had a significant impact in shaping my research interests and professional goals. Professor Papalambros provided continuing advice and developed my sense of the academic community in engineering. He provided challenges and he offered a blinding depth of iv knowledge in design optimization. He promoted a respect for rigorous work, and constantly pushed the boundaries of his expertise while maintaining extraordinary standards of quality. I would like to sincerely thank him for his invaluable guidance and support throughout my studies. In addition to my advisors, many people contributed meaningfully by providing feedback and perspective that helped define my direction. I would like to thank the committee members of my dissertation, Professor James Freudenberg, Professor Galip Ulsoy, and Professor Domitilla Del Vecchio for their valuable feedback and comments on my dissertation and publications. During my interaction with Professor Freudenberg, while I was taking his class in linear feedback control systems, …