Ayush Patnaik

Ph.D. Candidate, Mechanical Engineering
Davis, US.

About

Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in advanced battery management systems (BMS), control, and robotics. Proven expertise in developing and validating real-time state estimation and prognostics algorithms for Li-ion systems, leveraging Extended Kalman Filters and machine learning. Successfully applied model-based design and data-driven techniques to enhance battery health monitoring, fault detection, and energy-optimal control for complex autonomous systems.

Work

Energy Systems Automation, Optimization and Integration Lab (eSAIL), UC Davis
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Graduate Researcher

Davis, CA, US

Summary

Led advanced research in battery state estimation, diagnostics, and energy-optimal control for UAVs, contributing to real-time system performance and efficiency.

Highlights

Developed a Dual Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) framework for real-time SoC/SoH estimation, enabling online model adaptation for a satellite-based battery digital twin.

Architected and deployed a robust onboard estimation system for a 3-cell coin cell payload, effectively managing telemetry dropouts and thermal variations in resource-constrained embedded environments.

Applied MILP-based waypoint optimization for energy-minimal multi-rotor missions, achieving 3.9-9.4% energy savings over distance-minimizing approaches, validated through flight experiments.

Conducted comprehensive Li-ion coin cell test matrices spanning C-rates (0.2C-1C) and temperatures (0–40°C), developing automated MATLAB/Python pipelines for data processing and health trending.

UC Davis
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Teaching Assistant, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Davis, CA, US

Summary

Facilitated learning and assessed student performance for core mechanical and aerospace engineering courses.

Highlights

Assisted in instruction for EME 108 (Measurement Systems), EME 109 (Experimental Methods for Thermal Fluids), and EME 50 (Manufacturing Processes), supporting over 100 students per quarter.

Developed and delivered supplementary instructional materials, clarifying complex concepts and improving student comprehension.

Evaluated assignments and provided constructive feedback, contributing to student learning outcomes and academic success.

Cyber-Human-Physical Systems Lab, UC Davis
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Undergraduate Research Assistant

Davis, CA, US

Summary

Contributed to robotic systems development for precision agriculture, focusing on hardware integration, control, and data analysis.

Highlights

Built "BugBot" automated system for optimized dispensing of predatory mites over strawberry fields with UAV swarms, programming Arduino, RaspberryPi, and PX4 microcontrollers.

Collected and analyzed large experimental datasets, providing critical insights for system optimization and project advancement.

Presented findings and weekly progress reports, facilitating informed decision-making and project milestone achievement.

NeuroLeap Corp.
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Mechanical & Process Engineering Intern

San Jose, CA, US

Summary

Supported engineering design, prototyping, and process optimization for production systems in a medical device context.

Highlights

Supported prototype build and validation using SolidWorks and Autodesk Fusion, ensuring design integrity and functionality for new products.

Wrote and debugged PLC ladder logic for production systems, developing systematic troubleshooting approaches that improved operational efficiency and reduced system downtime.

Collaborated with engineering teams to refine manufacturing processes, contributing to streamlined workflows and enhanced product quality.

UC Davis
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Tutor, Academic Assistance and Tutoring Services

Davis, CA, US

Summary

Provided academic support in core engineering subjects, developing educational materials to enhance student comprehension.

Highlights

Tutored undergraduate students in Dynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Statics, improving their grasp of fundamental engineering principles and problem-solving abilities.

Developed quizzes and supplementary teaching materials, directly contributing to enhanced student comprehension and academic performance.

Provided individualized academic support, addressing specific learning challenges and fostering a deeper understanding of complex subjects.

Space and Satellite Systems Club, UC Davis
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Member

Davis, CA, US

Summary

Collaborated on satellite attitude determination and control systems development, applying MATLAB/Python for simulation and analysis.

Highlights

Implemented TRIAD method for satellite attitude determination in MATLAB and Python, enhancing system accuracy for orbital mechanics simulations.

Developed an attitude determination and control systems simulator for a cubesat using Simulink, facilitating design validation and performance testing.

Contributed to critical design reviews and technical discussions, ensuring robust system architectures for satellite projects.

Education

University of California, Davis
Davis, CA, United States of America

Ph.D. Candidate

Mechanical Engineering

Grade: 3.8/4.0

Courses

Advanced Controls

State Estimation & Kalman Filtering

Machine Learning

Optimization

Battery Systems

Dynamic Systems Modeling

University of California, Davis
Davis, CA, United States of America

Bachelor of Science

Mechanical Engineering

Grade: 3.64/4.0

Awards

Graduate Student Fellowship Award

Awarded By

UC Davis

Recognized for outstanding academic potential and research contributions.

Omar George Mahshi Memorial Scholarship

Awarded By

UC Davis

Awarded for academic excellence and commitment to the field.

Dean's Honor List

Awarded By

UC Davis College of Engineering

Achieved top 16% academic standing in the College of Engineering.

Publications

Machine Learning Detection of Lithium Plating in Lithium-ion Cells: A Gaussian Process Approach

Published by

American Control Conference (ACC)

Summary

Research on applying Gaussian Process regression for machine learning-based detection of lithium plating in Li-ion cells.

Enhancing Multirotor Drone Efficiency: Exploring Minimum Energy Consumption of Forward Flight under Varying Payload

Published by

AIAA SciTech Forum

Summary

Investigating methods to optimize multirotor drone efficiency by minimizing energy consumption during forward flight with varying payloads.

Optimization of Three-Dimensional Waypoint Ordering for Energy-Optimal Multirotor Operation

Published by

Aerospace Science and Technology

Summary

Focuses on optimizing 3D waypoint ordering to achieve energy-optimal operation for multirotor systems.

Energy-Optimal Planning of Waypoint-Based UAV Missions – Does Minimum Distance Mean Minimum Energy?

Published by

IEEE/RSJ IROS

Summary

Explores energy-optimal planning for UAV missions, challenging the assumption that minimum distance equals minimum energy.

Data-driven Vermiculite Distribution Modelling for UAV-based Precision Pest Management

Published by

Frontiers in Robotics and AI

Summary

Developed data-driven models for vermiculite distribution using UAVs for precision pest management applications.

Languages

English

Skills

Battery Algorithms & BMS

SoC/SoH/SoP estimation, Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) design, Capacity fade modeling, Lithium plating detection, Incremental capacity analysis (ICA/DVA), Electrochemical modeling (ECM), Equivalent circuit models.

Modeling & Simulation

MATLAB/Simulink, Model-based software design, MiL/SiL validation, Parameter identification, System-level energy dynamics modeling.

Data Analysis & ML

Python (NumPy, SciPy, scikit-learn), Gaussian Process regression, Uncertainty quantification, Time-series analysis, Feature extraction from cycling data.

Testing & Validation

Li-ion cell characterization, Arbin battery cyclers, Test protocol design, HPPC, RPT, Fast-charge degradation studies, Temperature-dependent testing.

Programming

MATLAB, Python, C++.