Personal Homepage of Moritz Diehl Prof. Dr. Moritz Diehl, Optimization in Engineering Center (OPTEC) and Electrical Engineering Department ESAT , Division SCD (Room 02.82) KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium Phone: +32-16-321884 (Secr: -321122/-321709, Fax: -328539/-321970) private: Ernest Solvaystraat 3 3010 Leuven Kessel-Lo, Belgium Phone: +32-16-583845 Mobile: +32-472-449374 E-mail:

• Principal Investigator of KU Leuven's Optimization in Engineering Center (OPTEC) .
• Principal Investigator of ERC Project HIGHWIND .
• General research interests: Optimization and Control, in particular algorithms for embedded optimization and model predictive control (MPC), nonlinear-, convex-, and robust optimization.
  Aim of our research at OPTEC is to develop tailored optimization algorithms for applications in mechanical, chemical, electrical and civil engineering, including real-world experiments.
• Postdoc Promotor of:
  • Dr. Sebastien Gros (Airborne Wind Energy: Modelling, Optimization and Control, since 2011)
  • Dr. Andrew Wagner (Airborne Wind Energy: Sensors, Vision and Hardware, since 2012)
  • Dr. Hammad Ahmad (Airborne Wind Energy: Communications and Hardware, 2011-2012)
  • Dr. Julia Sternberg (Stability Optimization, 2011-2012)
  • Dr. Carlo Savorgnan (State Space Approaches to Optimal Control and Distributed Optimization, 2008-2011)
• PhD Supervisor and Main Promotor of:
  • Joel Andersson (Modelling Languages and Derivatives for Optimal Control, since 2008)
  • Quoc Tran Dinh (Sequential Convex Programming, since 2008)
  • Attila Kozma (Distributed Optimization, since 2009)
  • Milan Vukov (Microsecond Nonlinear MPC on Embedded Hardware, with Hans Joachim Ferreau, since 2010)
  • Joris Gillis (Periodic Stability Optimization, with Jan Swevers and Eric Vanden Bulck, since 2010)
  • Mario Zanon (Model Predictive Control of Tethered Planes, with Alberto Bemporad and Sebastien Gros, since 2011)
  • Greg Horn (Optimization of Large Airborne Wind Energy Systems, since 2012)
  • Rien Quirynen (Integrators for Embedded Nonlinear Model Predictive Control, since 2012)
  • Dr. Hans Joachim Ferreau (Fast Model Predictive Control Algorithms, with Joos Vandewalle, 2007-2011)
  • Dr. Boris Houska (Stability and Robustness Optimization for Periodic Systems, 2007-2011)
  • Reinhart Paelinck (Design of High Altitude Wind Power Generators, 2010-2011)
• PhD Supervisor and Co-Promotor of:
  • Janick Frasch (Parallel Algorithms for Optimal Control in MPC, with Sebastian Sager and Hans Georg Bock, since 2010)
  • Le Hong Trang (Optimal Control in Computational Geometry, with Phan Than An, since 2011)
  • Frederik Debrouwere (Optimal Path Tracking for Robots, with Jan Swevers, since 2011)
  • Ioanna Stamati (Optimal Experimental Design Applications, with Jan Van Impe, since 2009)
  • Dries Telen (Optimal Experimental Design Algorithms, with Jan Van Impe, since 2010)
  • Mattia Vallerio (Multiobjective Nonlinear MPC, with Filip Logist and Jan Van Impe, since 2010)
  • Marnix Volckaert (Nonlinear Iterative Learning Control, with Jan Swevers, since 2008)
  • Tom Kraus (Combine Harvester Control, with Josse De Baerdemaeker, since 2008)
  • Dirk Abbeloos (Periodic PDE Optimization, with Stefan Vandewalle and Michael Hinze, since 2009)
  • Kurt Geebelen (Control of Tethered Airplanes, with Jan Swevers, since 2010)
  • Dr. Niels Haverbeke (Moving Horizon State Estimation, with Bart De Moor, 2006-2011)
  • Dr. Lieboud Van den Broeck (Mechatronic MPC, with Jan Swevers, 2007-2011)
  • Dr. Julian Bonilla (Estimation and Optimal Control of Chemical Processes, with Bart De Moor and Jan Van Impe, 2007-2011)
  • Dr. Bart Saerens (Automotive Model Predictive Control, with Erik Van den Bulck, 2007-2012)
• Leader of Dynamic and Embedded Optimization Working Group
• Member (and initiator) of EU Project EMBOCON - Embedded Optimization for Control
• Academic Partner of Austrian Center of Competence in Mechatronics (ACCM)

• Editorial board memberships:
  • Optimal Control Applications and Methods (OCAM), Subject Editor, since 2011
  • International Journal of Control, since 2011
  • Acta Applicandae Mathematicae (ACAP), since 2010
  • Journal of Industrial and Management Optimization (JIMO), 2007-2011
  • Dynamics of continuous, discrete and impulsive systems, Series B (DCDIS-B), Associate Editor, 2007-2009
  • International Journal of applied mathematics and computer science (AMCS), since 2011
• Organization of Conferences:
  • Airborne Wind Energy Conference (AWEC 2011), 24-25 May 2011 (organizing chair)
  • Belgian-French-German Conference on Optimization (BFG 09), 14-18 September 2009 (organizing chair)
  • Czech-French-German Conference on Optimization (CFG07), 17-21 September 2007 (organizing chair)
• Organization of International Workshops and Symposia:
  • OPTEC Workshop on Moving Horizon Estimation and System Identification, 29-30 August, 2012
  • MS on Optimal Control of Renewable Energy Systems, at AFG, Toulouse, 22 September, 2011
  • IFAC WC Workshop on Hierarchical and Distributed MPC, Algorithms and Applications, Milano, 29 August, 2011
  • OPTEC Workshop on Large Scale Convex Quadratic Programming, 25-26 November 2010
  • OPTEC Workshop on Distance Measures and Eigenvalue Optimization, 19-20 June 2008
  • Workshop on Optimal Experimental Design
  • Workshop on NMPC Software and Applications, April 19-20, 2007
  • Workshop on Modelling and Optimization of Power Generating Kites, January 30, 2007
  • "Fast Motions in Biomechanics and Robotics - Optimization and Feedback Control" September 7-9, 2005, Heidelberg ( press release )
  • "Workshop on State Estimation", Heidelberg, April 7-8, 2005
• Organization of Regular Lectures and Events:
  • Simon Stevin Lecture Series on Optimization in Engineering (each quarter year, since 2006)
  • K.U. Leuven Seminars on Optimization in Engineering and other OPTEC events

• July 2013: Course on Embedded Optimization for Nonlinear MPC, Univ. Stuttgart
• June-July 2013: Lecture Systemtheorie und Regelungstechnik 1 , Univ. Freiburg
• February 2013: Course on Numerical Methods for Optimization of Dynamics Systems, MODPROD, Linkoping
• Sep-Dec 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012: Numerical Optimization Course (H03E3a). Script (137 p.) as PDF
  Link to Mario Zanon's Exercise Session Page
• August 2012: Dynamic and Embedded Optimization Course in Aalborg
• July 2011: Nonlinear Dynamic Optimization Course in Trento
• Feb-May 2011: Numerical Optimal Control lecture course at ETH Zurich
• June 2010: Course in Trondheim on "Numerical Optimal Control"
• March 2010: ATHENS Course "Embedded and Convex Optimization for Control" (with S. Boyd, Y. Wang, J. Mattingley, B. Houska, H.J. Ferreau)
• November 2009: ATHENS Course "Numerical Optimal Control Algorithms, and Applications in Renewable Energy Systems"
• Winter 2009: Lecture "Numerical Optimization" (B-KUL-H03E3A Optimalisatie). Script (137 p.) as PDF or Hyperlink-PDF
• Winter 2008: Lecture "Numerical Optimization" (B-KUL-H03E3A Optimalisatie)
• November 2007: Graduate School Course "Numerical methods for nonlinear optimal control problems"
• November 2007: ATHENS Course "Dynamic Process and System Optimization"
• March 2007: ATHENS Course "Dynamic Process and System Optimization"
• Winter 2007: Lecture "Numerical Optimization" (B-KUL-H03E3A Optimalisatie)
• Winter 2006: Lecture "Numerical Optimization" (B-KUL-H03E3A Optimalisatie)
• Summer 2006: Lecture "Modern Convex Optimization"
• Summer 2005: Lecture "Numerical Mathematics II: Optimization with ordinary differential equations"
• Winter 2004/2005: Lecture "Algorithmic Optimization I"
• Industry Workshop "Dynamic Process Optimization", Ladenburg, October 7-8, 2004
• Winter 2003: Lecture "Algorithmic Optimization I"
• Summer 2003: Lecture "Mathematik B für die molekulare Biotechnologie", 4 hours a week (Script in German)
• Winter 2002/2003: Lecture "Mathematik A für die molekulare Biotechnologie", 4 hours a week.
• Summer 2002: Lecture "Introduction into Numerical Mathematics" , 4 hours a week, and organisation of exercises,

• since 2006: Associate professor (with tenure), ESAT-SCD, K.U. Leuven, and PI of OPTEC
• 2001-2006: Scientific assistant (C1) at IWR, Heidelberg University
• spring 2005: research stay at Univ. Paul Sabatier, Toulouse
• spring 2003: Long term fellow at IMA, University of Minnesota, USA
• spring 2002: research stay at INRIA Rocquencourt
• 1999-2001: PhD at IWR, Heidelberg University (summa cum laude, dissertation )
• 1993-99: Diploma of Physics at Heidelberg University (with distinction)
• 1995-96: Mathematical Tripos Part IIB at Cambridge University, UK (equiv. first class pass)
• 1992-93: Hamburg University of Fine Arts: one semester studies of Industrial Design
• Civil Service, Umweltbehörde Hamburg: Environmental consulting.
• Grammar School Gymnasium Lerchenfeld, Hamburg

Languages: German, English, Italian, French, Dutch

• Software:
  • CasADi - a symbolic framework for automatic differentiation and numerical optimization developed at OPTEC
  • ACADO Toolkit - an Open-Source Toolkit for Automatic Control and Dynamic Optimization developed at OPTEC
  • qpOASES - an Open-Source parametric QP solver using the Online Active Set Strategy
• Some Optimization and Control Groups:
  • Philippe Toint, FUNDP, Namur
  • Yurii Nesterov, CORE, Louvain-la-Neuve
  • Hans Georg Bock, Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg
  • Sebastian Sager, Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg
  • James B. Rawlings, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Frank Allgöwer, Institute for Systems Theory in Engineering, Stuttgart
  • Rolf Findeisen, Institute for Automation Engineering, Magdeburg
  • Stephen P. Boyd, Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University
  • Larry Biegler, Chemical Engineering Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh
  • Dominikus Noll, Toulouse
  • Manfred Morari, Automatic Control Laboratory, Zurich
  • Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), Minneapolis
• Other Interesting Links:
  • Jan Dvorak (Music/Theatre)
  • Johanna Diehl (Photography)
  • Presentations to King Albert-II on Oct. 1, 2009