Innovating vehicle technology possible with new mechanical engineering faculty

Herschel Pangborn, a State College native, is returning to Penn State in January 2020 as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering. Through his research in dynamic systems and control, Pangborn strives to understand and innovate energy systems through a birds-eye view, with a focus on the algorithms governing energy management in electrified vehicles ranging from aircraft and automobiles to naval ships. He also conducts research on energy system design and climate control for buildings. I use a model of a system to predict its behavior, and then create algorithms that use the model to make decisions about how to maximize performance and efficiency, he said. During operation, these algorithms use feedback from sensors to course-correct, ensuring that the system behaves as desired.