With its exceptional high-speed potential and environmental advantages, high-speed maglev technology is poised to become a globally influential mode of transportation, following the success of high-speed rail. However, maglev trains still face critical challenges in operation, such as achieving high-precision control in complex environments, coordinating multiple electromagnets, and ensuring long-term operational safety.
Since joining Tongji University, Yougang Sun’s research has centered on the intelligent control and safe operation of maglev trains. His goal is to tackle these global challenges, accelerate the industrialization of high-speed maglev technology, and advance China’s maglev transportation capabilities.
He proposed fast, dynamic, high-precision electromagnetic control strategies for complex scenarios, introducing controller design and stability analysis methods for single-point maglev systems. These advancements improved real-time online controller computations, enhanced suspension system stability and safety, and significantly reduced fault rates.
To further address multi-point suspension challenges, he developed electromagnetic force cooperative control methods that achieve finite-time stability and multi-objective optimization under competitive interactions among multiple electromagnets.
In addition, Yougang established an intelligent monitoring platform for maglev trains that supports real-time suspension state monitoring and semi-supervised learning. This platform ensures long-term safety in maglev operations. He also introduced time-delay and fault-tolerant control techniques, addressing a key bottleneck in long-term reliability.
His research has been successfully implemented in major projects such as the Changsha and Fenghuang Maglev Express lines, as well as CRRC’s 600 km/h high-speed maglev train, delivering significant social and economic benefits.
