Find opportunities in IOT 4.0
Mei Chen
- Thesis title: Robust Scheduling Of Flexible Manufacturing System Under Ucertainties
- PhD Tesi Supervisor: Enrico Zio
- Phd: STEN, 35° cycle (starting year 2019)
- M. Sc: 2019, Mechanical Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
- B. Sc: 2016, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation, Southwest University of Science and Technology
Tell us something to introduce yourself
Ciao, I’m Mei Chen. I come from Sichuan, where people enjoy eating spicy food and playing Mahjong. I like food, and Italy is one of the best places to satisfy my curiosity for different cuisines. It’s always interesting adventures trying to find authentic local restaurants when traveling around Italy. I like different sports in general, swimming and badminton used to be my favorites. Now I also like playing padel after learning from some Italian friends.
Tell us about your research
I have been supported by China Scholarship Council since 2019 to study in the LASAR (Laboratory of Signal Analysis and Risk Analysis) group of Politecnico. Our group mainly focus on modelling of complex systems, and applying most modern computational techniques, like neural networks, genetic algorithms and fuzzy logic, etc., to solve such problems as optimization, control, signal analysis and sensitivity analysis. My research is mainly about modelling of flexible manufacturing system with petri net and robust optimizing its process planning and scheduling in uncertain environments using artificial intelligence algorithms.
What do you hope is the impact of your research?
Working on the problem of resource and process optimization and combing it with risk management is extremely exciting for me. Through my work on incorporating different risk indexes into the optimizing of the process planning and scheduling for flexible manufacturing systems, the robustness of the optimizing solutions can be measured and improved. I hope the proposed framework of robust optimization can not only provide some insight to coordinating risk management and process management for researchers, but also be valuable in practical industrial applications.
Why did you choose to start this experience and why did you choose Polimi? (Did your expectations have become reality?)
I decided to do my Phd abroad when I was a master student. At that time, we’ve got many visiting researchers in my lab and to my department. They gave reports and lectures to students, hang out with us. I also had cooperation with some of them. All those experiences are exciting and inspiring. I like research and I’m curious about different cultures. So, I decided to move to a different country and being a phd. Polimi has very good cooperation with many Chinese universities since quite a few years ago, also one of my professors had visited Polimi for 2 years. He enjoyed a lot his both research within the university and personal life after work. When I received the invitation letter from my supervisor Professor Enrico Zio, I couldn’t wait to come here.
How would you describe this period of your life with three adjectives?
Interesting, changing, optimistic
What are your plans after the end of the PhD?
I’m open to different possibilities during this period. But I’d be happy to continue doing work related to research either in universities or in international companies.
Which advice would you give to new engineers that are pondering about PhD in Polimi?
I think different people have different expectations about doing PhD in Polimi. It would be perfect when research and the related stuffs go on well as expected. It’s probably also common that some unexpeations may appear. At those specific moments, being open minded and curious, learning to dealing with those unexpectations would make us move much faster towards our goals in unexpected ways. Also, there are lots of chances and resources for better career development after Phd provided by Polimi. Talking more to other Phds and your supervisors will help you make better use of those good opportunities.
Tell me something surprising about yourself.
I speak the best Italian among all the Chinese colleagues in my office. Ok, this is just for fun. I’ve studied Italian during pandemic. At the beginning, it’s for killing time and to connect to people. But speaking a little Italian definitely makes my life much more easier and interesting in Milano.
