Clarence de Silva

Clarence de Silva

Professor Emeritus

Higher Doctorate Sc.D. (Cambridge); Ph.D. (MIT); Ph.D. (Cambridge); D.Eng. (Hon, Waterloo); D.Sc. (Hon, OUSL); B.Sc. Eng. (Hon 1, Ceylon); M.A.Sc. (Toronto), Fellow of: IEEE, ASME, ASI, CAE, & Royal Society of Canada; Distinguished Visiting Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering; Senior Canada Research Chair in Mechatronics and Industrial Automation

email: desilva@mech.ubc.ca
website:  Industrial Automation Laboratory
office: CEME 2071

Research Interests

  • Multi-robot Systems and Applications including Homecare
  • Intelligent Systems and Automation
  • Mechatronics; Integrated and Automated Design
  • Control Sensors, Actuators and Instrumentation
  • Automated Machine Monitoring, Diagnosis, and Repair
  • Telemedicine and Health Monitoring
  • Environmental Monitoring

Current Research

  • Cooperative mobile robots for human rescue
  • Haptic teleoperation and autonomous mobile robots in homecare applications
  • Telemedicine and health monitoring
  • Intelligent sensor fusion for machine health monitoring and supervisory control
  • Instrumentation of processes for monitoring and control (sensors, actuators, etc.)
  • Formal techniques for mechatronic system design and evaluation (Mechatronic Design Quotient or MDQ; Automated design evolution, etc.)
  • Automated spatiotemporal monitoring of the quality of water sources
  • Learning and AI in machine monitoring and diagnosis
  • Diagnosis and automated repair of pipelines

Editorial

Selected Publications

Journal Papers:

  • Ma, J., Wang, W., Cheng, Z., de Silva, C.W., Lee, T.H., “Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers-Based Parallel Optimization for Multi-Agent Collision-Free Model Predictive Control,” IEEE Transactions on Artificial Intelligence, Vol. 5, No. 8, pp. 4176-4191, 2024.
  • Guo, H., Zhu, H., Wang, J., Prahlad, V., Ho, W.K., de Silva, C.W., Lee, T.H., “Remaining Useful Life Prediction via Frequency Emphasizing Mix-Up and Masked Reconstruction,” IEEE Transactions on Artificial Intelligence, 2025, Accepted.
  • De Silva, C.W., “Linearization of Nonlinear Components in Instruments,” Journal of Advances in Engineering and Technology, Vol. 03, No. 2, pp. 51-64, 2025.
  • Gunawardane, P.D.S.H., Zhou, H., Alici, G., de Silva, C.W., Chiao, M., “A Versatile 3D-Printable Soft Pneumatic Actuator Design for Multi-Functional Applications in Soft Robotics,” Soft Robotics, pp. 1-15, ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/soro.2023.0102, 2024.
  • Gunawardane, P.D.S.H., MacNeil, R. R., Zhao, L., Enns, J. T., de Silva, C.W., Chiao, M., “A Fusion Algorithm Based on a Constant Velocity Model for Improving the Measurement of Saccade Parameters with EOG,” Sensors, pp. 1-19, 2024-00540-v2, 2024. 24, 540. https://doi.org/10.3390/s24020540
  • Wang, J., Bae, W., Chen, J., Sigal, L., and de Silva, C.W., “What Has Been Overlooked in Contrastive Source-Free Domain Adaptation: Leveraging Source-Informed Latent Augmentation within Neighborhood Context,” Transactions on Machine Learning Research, Vol. 14, No. 8, pp. 1-27, 2024.
  • Rezvanfar, E., Wang, J., and de Silva, C. W., “Enhancement of Robot Dynamics Learning by Integrating Analytical Models into Deep Neural Networks: A Data Fusion Perspective,” IEEE Transactions on Artificial Intelligence, 1, No. 01, pp. 1-11, doi: 10.1109/TAI.2025.3544591, 2025.
  • Wang, J., Zhu, H., Guo, H., Mamun, A. A., Xiang, C., de Silva, C.W., Lee, T. H., “SDSimPoint: Shallow-Deep Similarity Learning for Few-Shot Point Cloud Semantic Segmentation,” IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems, pp. 1-14, doi: 10.1109/TNNLS.2025.3543620,
  • Chen, J., Wang, J., Lin, W., Zhang, K. and de Silva, C.W., “Preserving domain private information via mutual information maximization,” Neural Networks, 172, pp. 1-14, 106112, April 2024.
  • Wang, W., Ma, J., Zhu, Z., Cheng, Z., Zhu, Z., Xian, Y., de Silva, C.W., Lee T.H., “Robust Precision Motion Control of Dual-Drive Gantry-Type Cartesian Robot with Workspace Constraints,” IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, Vol. 30, No. 6, pp. 5554–5566, https://doi.org/10.1109/tmech.2025.3548115, 2025.
  • Zhang, K., Chen, J., Wang, J., Chen, X., Leng, Y., de Silva, C.W., Fu, C., “Ensemble Diverse Hypotheses and Knowledge Distillation for Unsupervised Cross-subject Adaptation,” Information Fusion Journal, 1-38, https://arxiv.org/pdf/2204.
  • Ma, J., Zhu, H., Li, X., Wang, W., de Silva, C.W., and Lee, T.H., “Robust Fixed-Order Controller Design for Uncertain Systems with Generalized Common Lyapunov Strictly Positive Realness Characterization,” IEEE Trans. on System, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems, 53, No. 3, pp. 1543-1553, March 2023. DOI:10.1109/TSMC.2022.3200971.
  • Xia, M., Zhu, Q. Lu, Jingfeng; Wang, X., Wang, H., Lu, S., and de Silva, C.W., “Real-time Quality Inspection of Motor Rotor Using Cost-effective Intelligent Edge System,” IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 11 pages, 2022 (ISSN: 2327-4662, doi: 10.1109/JIOT.2022.3228869).
  • McCormick, E., Lang, H., and de Silva, C.W., “Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of a Four-wheel Skid-Steer Mobile Robot Using Linear Graphs,” Electronics, Vol.11, No. 15, 2453, pp. 1-16, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11152453
  • Li, T., Pan, Y., Tong, K., Ventura, C.E., and de Silva, C.W., “Attention-based Sequence-to-sequence Learning for Online Structural Response Forecasting under Seismic Excitation,” IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems, Vol. 52, No. 4, pp. 2184-2200, 2022. doi: 10.1109/TSMC.2020.3048696
  • Chen, J., Wang, J., Shu, T., and de Silva, C.W., “WSN Optimization for Sampling-based Signal Estimation Using Semi-binarized Variational Autoencoder,” Information Sciences, Vol. 587, pp. 182-205, 2022.
  • Xia, M., Shao, H., Li, W., Zhang, Y., Shen, C., Williams, D., Kennedy, A., and de Silva, C.W., “Fault diagnosis of a rotor-bearing system under variable rotating speeds using two-stage parameter transfer and infrared thermal images,” IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation & Measurement, 70, pp. 1-11, 2021. DOI: 10.1109/TIM.2021.3111977
  • Chen, J., Wang, J., and de Silva, C.W., “Mutual Variational Inference: An Indirect Variational Inference Approach for Unsupervised Domain Adaptation,” IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics, pp. 1-13, 2021. DOI: 1109/TCYB.2021.3107292
  • Wang, W., Ma, J., Cheng, Z., Li, X., de Silva, C.W., and Lee, T.H., “Global Iterative Sliding Mode Control of an Industrial Biaxial Gantry System for Contouring Motion,” IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 1617-1628, June 2022.
  • Wang, J., Chen, J., Lin, J., Sigal, L., and de Silva, C.W., “Discriminative Feature Alignment: Improving Transferability of Unsupervised Domain Adaptation by Gaussian-guided Latent Alignment,” Pattern Recognition, Vol. 116, pp. 1-14, 107943, August 2021.
  • Gunawardane, P.D.S.H., MacNeil, P.R., Zhao, L., Enns, T., de Silva, C.W., and Chiao, M., “A Fusion Algorithm for Saccade Eye Movement Enhancement with EOG and Lumped-element Models,” IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 68, No. 10, pp. 3048-3058, Oct. 2021. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2021.30622562021
  • Li, T., Wang, C., Meng, M.Q.H., and de Silva, C.W., “Attention-driven Active Sensing with Hybrid Neural Network for Environmental Field Mapping,” IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, pp. 1-18, 2021. doi: 10.1109/TASE.2021.3077689
  • Ma, J., Cheng, Z., Wang, W., Li, X., Zhu, H., de Silva, C.W., and Lee, T.H., “Convex Inner Approximation for Mixed H2/H1 Control with Application to a 2-DoF Flexure-Based Nano-Positioning System,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 69, No. 2, pp. 1586-1596, 2021.
  • Abid, A., Khan, M.T., Iqbal, J., and de Silva, C.W., “Immunity Inspired Hybrid Fault Diagnosis and Conflict Resolution,” IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, 27, No. 1, pp. 440-451, Feb. 2022.
  • Li, T., Pan, Y., Tong, K., Ventura, C.E., and de Silva, C.W., “A Multi-Scale Attention Neural Network for Sensor Location Selection and Nonlinear Structural Seismic Response Prediction,” Journal of Computers and Structures, 248, pp. 1-17, May 2021.
  • Zhang, K., Liu, H., Fan, Z., Chen, X., Leng, Y., de Silva, C.W., and Fu, C., “Foot Placement Prediction for Assistive Walking by Fusing Sequential 3D Gaze and Environmental Context,” The IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, 6, No. 2 pp. 2509 – 2516, April 2021. DOI: 10.1109/LRA.2021.3062003
  • Li, T., Pan, Y., Tong, K., Ventura, C.E., and de Silva, C.W., “Attention-based Sequence-to-sequence Learning for Online Structural Response Forecasting under Seismic Excitation,” IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems, 52, No. 4, pp. 2184-2200, April 2022. doi: 10.1109/TSMC.2020.304862021
  • Xia, M., Shao, H., Ma, X., and de Silva, C.W., “A Stacked GRU-RNN-based Approach for Predicting Renewable Energy and Electricity Load for Smart Grid Operation,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 17, No. 10, pp. 7050-7059, Oct. 2021. doi: 10.1109/TII.2021.3056867
  • Shao, H., Xia, M., Wan, J., and de Silva, C.W., “Modified Stacked Auto-encoder Using Adaptive Morlet Wavelet for Intelligent Fault Diagnosis of Rotating Machinery,” IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, 1-1. 10, February 2021. 1109/TMECH.2021.3058061
  • Chen, J., Wang, J., Zhu, J., Lee, T.H., and de Silva, C.W., “Unsupervised Cross-domain Fault Diagnosis Using Feature Representation Alignment Networks for Rotating Machinery,” IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, 26, No. 5, pp. 2770-2781, October 2021. doi: 10.1109/TMECH.2020.3046277
  • Khoshnoud, F., Lamata, L., de Silva, C.W., and Quadrelli, M.B., “Quantum Teleportation for Control of Dynamic Systems and Autonomy,” Mechatronic Systems and Control Journal, 49, Issue 3, pp. 124-131, July 2021. preprint arXiv:2007.15249
  • Lamata, L., Quadrelli, M.B., de Silva, C.W., Kumar, P., Kanter, G.S.,Ghazinejad, M., and Khoshnoud, F., “Quantum Mechatronics,” Electronics Journal, Vol. 10, pp. 2483-2491, October 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10202483
  • De Silva, C.W., “Intelligent Robotics—Misconceptions, Current Trends and Opportunities,” Intelligence & Robotics, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 2-15, 2021.
  • De Silva, C.W., “Mechatronic Modeling and Domain Transformation of Multi-physics Systems,” Instrumentation, Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 14-28, 2021.
  • Falch, L. and de Silva, C.W., “Incorporating the Qualitative Variable Comfort into the Design of a Wearable Body Sensor System,” IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 124-133, February 2021.
  • Chen, J, Li, T., Shu, T., Wang, J., and de Silva, C.W., “Optimization of Wireless Sensor Network Deployment for Spatiotemporal Reconstruction and Prediction,” IEEE Sensors Journal, Vol. 20, No. 23, pp. 14290-14301, 2020.
  • De Silva, C.W., “A Systematic Approach for Modelling Multi-physics Systems,” International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education, Vol. 49, No. 2, pp. 122–150, 2021.
  • Chen, J., Shu, T., Li, T., and de Silva, C.W., “Deep Reinforced Learning Tree for Spatiotemporal Monitoring With Mobile Robotic Wireless Sensor Networks,” IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems, Vol. 50, No. 11, pp. 4197-4211, November 2020.
  • Li, T., Tong, K., Xia, M., Li, B., and de Silva, C.W., “Information-based Hierarchical Planning for a Mobile Sensing Network in Environmental Mapping,” IEEE Systems Journal, Vol. 14, No, 2, pp. 1692 – 1703, September 2020.
  • Gadala, I.M., Li, B., Meng, M.Q.H., and de Silva, C.W., “An Expert System for Motor Sizing Using Mechanical Dynamics and Thermal Characterization,” Mechatronic Systems and Control Journal, Vol. 48, No. 1, 2020.
  • De Silva, C.W., “Concepts for Sensor Matching in Mechatronic Systems,” Instrumentation Journal, Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 01-14, 2020.
  • Zhang, K., Wang, J., de Silva, C.W., and Fu, C., “Unsupervised Cross-subject Adaptation for Predicting Human Locomotion Intent,” IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, Vol. 28, No. 3, pp. 646–657, March 2020.
  • Khoshnoud, F., Esat, I.I., de Silva, C.W., Rhodes, J.D., Kiessling, A.A., and Quadrelli, M.B., “Self-powered Solar Aerial Vehicles: Towards Infinite Endurance UAVs,’ Unmanned Systems, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 95-117, 2020.
  • Zhang, K., Luo, J., Xiao, W., Zhang, W., Liu, H., Zhu, J., Lu, Z., Rong, Y., de Silva, C.W., and Fu, C., “A Subvision System for Enhancing the Environmental Adaptability of the Powered Transfemoral Prosthesis,” IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics, pp. 1–13, 2020.

Books:

  • De Silva, C.W. and Tennakoon, N., Mechanics of Materials: Basics and Finite Elements, 2nd Edition, Taylor & Francis/CRC Press, 2026. (in Press, 500 pages)
  • De Silva, C.W., MODELING OF DYNAMIC SYSTEMS—With Engineering Applications, 2ndEdition, Taylor & Francis/CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2023. (420 pages).
  • Lee, T.H., Liang, W., de Silva, C.W., and Tan, K.K., Force and Position Control of Mechatronic Systems—Design and Applications in Medical Devices, Springer, Gewerbestrasse, Switzerland, 2020. (225 pages)
  • De Silva, C.W., MODELING OF DYNAMIC SYSTEMS—With Engineering Applications, Taylor & Francis/CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2018. (690 pages).
  • *De Silva, C.W., SENSOR SYSTEMS—Fundamentals and Applications, Taylor & Francis/CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2016. (745 pages).
  • *De Silva, C.W., SENSORS AND ACTUATORS—Engineering System Instrumentation, 2ndEdition, Taylor & Francis/CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2016. (838 pages).
  • *De Silva, C.W., Mechanics of Materials, Taylor & Francis/CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2014. (448 pages).
  • *De Silva, C.W., Mechatronics—A Foundation Course, Taylor & Francis/CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2010. (895 pages).
  • *De Silva, C.W., Modeling and Control of Engineering Systems, Taylor & Francis/CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2009. (795 pages). Chinese Translation by Bin Xi, Publisher Higher Education Press, 2016.
  • *De Silva, C.W., SENSORS AND ACTUATORS—Control System Instrumentation, Taylor and Francis, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2007. (691 pages).
  • *De Silva, C.W., Vibration Fundamentals and Practice, 2ndEdition, Taylor and Francis, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2007. (1062 pages).
  • *De Silva, C.W., Mechatronics—An Integrated Approach, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, FL, 2005. (1344 pages).
  • *Karray, F. and de Silva, C.W., Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems Design—Theory, Tools, and Applications, Addison Wesley, New York, NY, 2004. (585 pages).

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