Professor Zi-Qiang Lang

BSc, MSc, PhD

School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Professor of Complex Systems Analysis and Design

Professor Zi-Qiang Lang
Profile picture of Professor Zi-Qiang Lang
z.lang@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 5623

Full contact details

Professor Zi-Qiang Lang
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Amy Johnson Building
Portobello Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
Profile

Professor Lang received his BS and MSc degree in the subject area of Automatic Control in China, and PhD degree in the Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering at the University of Sheffield, UK. After several years' postdoctoral positions at Sheffield, he became a Lecturer in Automatic Control and Systems Engineering in 2003, was promoted to Senior Lecturer and Reader in 2008 and 2010, respectively, and has held the position of Chair in Complex Systems Analysis and Design in the Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering at Sheffield since 2013.

His main expertises relate to the theories and methods for complex systems modelling, analysis, design, and signal processing, and the application of these to resolving various engineering and scientific problems. The application areas include smart structures and systems, civil and mechanical structure vibration control, structural health monitoring, condition monitoring and fault diagnosis for wind turbine components and systems, optimal periodic operation of chemical reactors, digital manufacturing, and medical diagnosis.

Research interests
  • Nonlinear system modelling, analysis and design in the frequency domain
  • Structural health monitoring
  • Condition monitoring and fault detection of wind turbine system and
    components
  • Smart structures and systems
  • Passive and semi-active vibration control with applications in marine,
    automobile, and earthquake engineering
  • Digital manufacturing 
  • Application of machine learning to medical diagnosis
Publications

Books

Journal articles

Chapters

  • Cheng L, Cigada A, Zappa E, Gilbert M & Lang Z-Q (2023) A Preliminary Case Study on the Dynamic Testing of a Masonry Arch Rail Bridge Using a Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing System, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering (pp. 696-703). Springer Nature Switzerland RIS download Bibtex download
  • Boynton R, Balikhin M, Wei HL & Lang ZQ (2018) Applications of NARMAX in space weather, Machine Learning Techniques for Space Weather (pp. 203-236). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Alves LR, Angelopoulos V, Baker DN, Bala R, Balikhin M, Bortnik J, Boynton R, Camporeale E, Carè A, Chandorkar M , Chu X et al (2018) Contributors, Machine Learning Techniques for Space Weather (pp. xi-xii). Elsevier RIS download Bibtex download
  • Boynton R, Balikhin M, Wei H-L & Lang Z-Q (2018) Applications of NARMAX in Space Weather, Machine Learning Techniques for Space Weather (pp. 203-236). Elsevier RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jing X & Lang Z (2015) Introduction, Understanding Complex Systems (pp. 1-7). Springer International Publishing RIS download Bibtex download
  • Peng ZK & Lang Z (2009) Nonlinear output frequency response functions: concept, properties and applications in mechanical vibration analysis, Mechanical Vibrations: Measurement, Effects and Control Hauppauge, NY, USA: Nova Science Publishers. RIS download Bibtex download

Conference proceedings papers

  • Gui Y, Lang Z-Q, Liu Z, Zhu Y & Laalej H (2022) Time-Sensor Domain Data Decomposition and Analysis for Fault Diagnosis of Cutting Tools. 2022 17th International Conference on Control, Automation, Robotics and Vision (ICARCV), 11 December 2022 - 13 December 2022. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Diala UH, Zhu Y & Lang Z-Q (2022) Analysis of the energy dissipation characteristics of a nonlinear vehicle suspension system. 2022 UKACC 13th International Conference on Control (CONTROL), 20 April 2022 - 22 April 2022. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Li P, Highfield PE, Lang Z-Q & Kell D (2021) A data-driven modelling based approach to evaluating prognostic value of Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy for cervical cancer diagnosis. IFAC-PapersOnLine, Vol. 54(15) (pp 203-208) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Zhu Y-P & Lang ZQ (2020) Optimal Design of Nonlinear Systems by Using the Low Dimension Associated Output Frequency Response Function (AOFRF). 2020 International Conference on Advanced Mechatronic Systems (ICAMechS), 10 December 2020 - 13 December 2020. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Zhu Y-P, Yuan J, Lang ZQ, Schwingshackl CW, Salles L & Kadirkamanathan V (2020) The Data Driven Surrogate Model Based Dynamic Design of Aero-Engine Fan Systems. Volume 10B: Structures and Dynamics, 21 September 2020 - 25 September 2020. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Zhu Y-P, Lang ZQ & Laalej H (2019) Data Driven Evaluation of Nonlinear Output Frequency Response Functions with Applications to Structural System Fault Diagnosis. 2019 1st International Conference on Industrial Artificial Intelligence (IAI), 23 July 2019 - 27 July 2019. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Zhu Y, Lang ZQ, Luo Z & Gunawardena SRAS (2018) Fault Detection of Nonlinear Rotor-Bearing Systems by Using the Nonlinear Output Frequency Response Functions (NOFRFs). 2018 10th International Conference on Modelling, Identification and Control (ICMIC), 2 July 2018 - 4 July 2018. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yang J, Zhao L, Lang Z-Q & Zhang Y (2018) Wind Turbine Blade Condition Monitoring and Damage Detection by Image-Based Method and Frequency-Based Analysis. 2018 10th International Conference on Modelling, Identification and Control (ICMIC), 2 July 2018 - 4 July 2018. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Zhu Y, Lang ZQ, Luo Z & Gunawardena SRAS (2018) Fault Detection of Nonlinear Rotor Bearing Systems by Using the Nonlinear Output Frequency Response Functions (NOFRFs). 2018 10th International Conference on Modelling, Identification and Control (ICMIC), 2 July 2018 - 4 July 2018. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Diala U, Gunawardena R, Zhu Y & Lang Z-Q (2018) Nonlinear Design and Optimisation of a Vibration Energy Harvester. 2018 UKACC 12th International Conference on Control (CONTROL), 5 September 2018 - 7 September 2018. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Gunawardena SRAS & Lang ZQ (2018) An Effective Method for Evaluation of the Nonlinear Output Frequency Response Functions from System Input-Output Data. 2018 UKACC 12th International Conference on Control (CONTROL), 5 September 2018 - 7 September 2018. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Anumba D, Stern V, Healey T, Lang Z-Q & Brown B (2018) Cervical electrical impedance spectroscopy predicts preterm delivery in asymptomatic women - the ECCLIPPx (TM) studies. BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Vol. 125 (pp 12-12) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Uchenna D, Okafor KC & Zi-Qiang L (2017) Geometric nonlinear damper design — A frequency based approach. 2017 IEEE 3rd International Conference on Electro-Technology for National Development (NIGERCON), 7 November 2017 - 10 November 2017. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Huang Z, Papaelias M & Lang ZQ (2017) Wayside detection of axle bearing faults in rolling stock through correlation signal processing. WCCM 2017 - 1st World Congress on Condition Monitoring 2017 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Uchenna D, Simon P & Lang Z-Q (2017) Analysis and design of a nonlinear vibration-based energy harvester - a frequency based approach. 2017 IEEE International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics (AIM), 3 July 2017 - 7 July 2017. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Uchenna D, Simon P & Zi-Qiang L (2017) Analysis, design and optimization of a nonlinear energy harvester. 24th International Congress on Sound and Vibration, ICSV 2017 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Zhu Y & Lang ZQ (2016) Analysis of output response of nonlinear systems using nonlinear output frequency response functions. 2016 UKACC 11th International Conference on Control (CONTROL), 31 August 2016 - 2 September 2016. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Zhang H, Lang ZQ & Zhu YP (2016) A comparative study on the evaluation of Nonlinear Output Frequency Response Functions (NOFRFs) of nonlinear systems. 2016 22nd International Conference on Automation and Computing (ICAC), 7 September 2016 - 8 September 2016. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ibrahim NNLN & Lang ZQ (2016) A new and efficient method for the determination of Output Frequency Response Function of nonlinear vibration systems. Transforming the Future of Infrastructure through Smarter Information - Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart Infrastructure and Construction, ICSIC 2016 (pp 447-452) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Zhang L, Lang Z & Yang W-X (2015) Transmissibility damage indicator for wind turbine blade condition monitoring. 2015 21st International Conference on Automation and Computing (ICAC), 11 September 2015 - 12 September 2015. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Questa J, Montejano V, Polo F, Moreno L, Vanhnonacker T, Stalaart B, Karyotakis A, Panagoiliopoulos O, Karakassidis V, Lang Z , De La Cuadra C et al (2015) Optimisation of operational reliability of large-scale industrial wind turbines (pp 931-935) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Bayma RS & Lang Z-Q (2014) Fault diagnosis methodology based on nonlinear system modelling and frequency analysis. IFAC Proceedings Volumes, Vol. 47(3) (pp 8278-8285) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Huang Z, Papaelias M & Lang ZQ (2014) Wayside detection of axle bearing faults in rolling stock through correlation signal processing. 11th International Conference on Condition Monitoring and Machinery Failure Prevention Technologies, CM 2014 / MFPT 2014 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Zhao XY & Lang ZQ (2014) A novel health probability based engineering system condition and health monitoring method. 11th International Conference on Condition Monitoring and Machinery Failure Prevention Technologies, CM 2014 / MFPT 2014 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Bayma RS, Lang Z & Cebulski L (2012) Detection of run-out of electrical machine/generator slip-rings using vibration measurements and nonlinear frequency analysis. The 9th International Conference on Condition Monitoring and Machinery Failure Prevention Technologi. London, 12 June 2012 - 14 June 2012. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Laalej H, Lang Z, Daley S, Zazas I & Sapinski B (2012) Integration of nonlinear damping with instantaneous harmonic control (IHC) for robust suppression of tonal disturbances. International Conference on Systems and Control. Marrakech, Morocco, 20 June 2012 - 22 June 2012. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ho C, Lang ZQ & Billings SA (2012) The benefits of nonlinear cubic viscous damping on the force transmissibility of a Duffing-type vibration isolator. Proceedings of the 2012 UKACC International Conference on Control, CONTROL 2012 (pp 479-484) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Zhao X & Lang Z (2012) A novel health probability for structural health monitoring. ICAC 12 - Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Automation and Computing: Integration of Design and Engineering (pp 90-95) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hills AF, Lang ZQ, Soua S, Gan T-H, Perera A, Van Lieshout P & Grainger B (2011) A novel baseline model-based technique for condition monitoring of wind turbine components. Insight: Non-Destructive Testing and Condition Monitoring, Vol. 53(8) (pp 434-438). St. David's Hotel, Cardiff, UK. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hills AF, Lang ZQ, Soua S, Perera A, Van Lieshout P, Grainger B & Gan TH (2011) A novel baseline model based technique for condition monitoring of wind turbine components. 8th International Conference on Condition Monitoring and Machinery Failure Prevention Technologies 2011, CM 2011/MFPT 2011, Vol. 1 (pp 71-83) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lang Z, Laalej H, Sapinski B & Martynowicz P (2011) MR damper based implementation of nonlinear damping for the vibration control of a pitch plane suspension system. 10th Conference on Active Noise and Vibration Control Methods. Krakow-Wojanow, Poland, 6 June 2011 - 8 June 2011. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Guo PF & Lang Z (2011) Nonlinear viscous damping design for civil structure vibration control using output frequency response function. 2011 World Congress on Advances in Structural Engineering and Mechanics. Seoul, South Korea, 18 September 2011 - 22 September 2011. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chen CM, Jin-qian Z, Lang Z, Ju-cheng L & Zhao-yong F (2010) High Impedance fault location in transmission Line using nonlinear frequency analysis. International Conference on Intelligent Computing for Sustainable Energy and Environment. Wuxi, China, 17 September 2010 - 20 September 2010. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Guo PF, Lang Z & Peng ZK (2010) Analysis of displacement vibration isolation of nonlinearly damped multi-storey building structures using output frequency response function. The 10th International Conference on Computational Structures Technology. Valencia, Spain, 14 September 2010 - 17 September 2010. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Peng ZK, Lang Z, Meng G & Chu FL (2010) Study of the effect of cubic nonlinear damping on vibration isolations using harmonic balance method. The Third International Conference on Dynamics, Vibration and Control. Zhejiang University, China, 12 May 2010 - 14 May 2010. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Guo PF, Lang Z & Peng ZK (2009) Output frequency response function of vibration isolation systems with a nonlinear viscous damper. 15th International Conference on Automation and Computing. Luton, UK, 15 September 2009 - 15 September 2009. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lang Z & Zhao L (2009) Detection and location of nonlinearities in MDOF structural systems. International Carpathian Control Conference, ICCC 2009. Zakopane, Poland, 24 May 2009 - 27 May 2009. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hatim L & Lang Z (2009) Study of the nonlinear characteristics of MR dampers on vibration isolations using the output frequency response function. European Control Conference. Budapest, Hungary, 23 August 2009 - 26 August 2009. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Billings SA, Jing XJ & Lang ZQ (2008) New results on the generalised frequency response functions of nonlinear Volterra systems described by NARX models. Proc 17th IFAC World Congress (pp 15381-15386). Seoul, South Korea, 6 July 2008 - 11 July 2008. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lang Z & Peng ZK (2008) A coherence analysis based approach for locating nonlinear component in multi-degree-of-freedom systems. The 9th International Conference on Computational Structure Technology & Sixth International Confere. Athens, Greece, 2 September 2008 - 5 September 2008. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lang Z & Jing XJ (2008) Properties of output frequencies of Volterra Systems. International Conference on Control 2008 (UKACC). Manchester, UK, 2 September 2008 - 4 September 2008. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jing XJ, Lang Z & Billings SA (2008) New results on the generalised frequency response functions of nonlinear Volterra systems generated by NARX model. 17th IFAC World Congress (pp 15381-15386). Seoul, South Korea, 6 July 2008 - 11 July 2008. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jing XJ & Lang ZQ (2007) Magnitude bounds of generalized frequency response functions of nonlinear Volterra systems. 2007 European Control Conference (ECC), 2 July 2007 - 5 July 2007. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wu XF, Lang ZQ & Billings SA (2007) Output frequencies of nonlinear systems under a general input. 2007 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NETWORKING, SENSING, AND CONTROL, VOLS 1 AND 2 (pp 668-673) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Billings SA, Peng ZK & Lang ZQ (2006) A study of the resonance for a class of SDOF nonlinear systems. 13th International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV13). Vienna, Austria, 3 July 2006 - 6 July 2006. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wu XF, Lang ZQ & Billings SA (2006) Output frequencies of a class of nonlinear systems. 2006 13TH IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ELECTRONICS, CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS, VOLS 1-3 (pp 744-747) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jing XJ, Lang ZQ & Billings SA (2006) Frequency domain analysis based nonlinear feedback control for suppressing periodic disturbance. WCICA 2006: Sixth World Congress on Intelligent Control and Automation, Vols 1-12, Conference Proceedings (pp 1161-1165) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lang ZQ, Billings SA, Xie F & Tomlinson GR (2004) Accurate computation of output frequency responses of nonlinear systems. SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON VIBRATION MEASUREMENTS BY LASER TECHNIQUES: ADVANCES AND APPLICATIONS, Vol. 5503 (pp 131-142) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lang ZQ, Gu XY & Bao YA (1991) Modelling and identification of electrode position controller in electric arc furnace. IEE Conference Publication, Vol. 1(332) (pp 434-439) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Gu XY, Bao YA & Lang ZQ (1987) SELF-TUNING CONTROL OF THE ELECTRODE POSITION SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC ARC FURNACES.. Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (pp 2053-2057) RIS download Bibtex download

Working papers

Grants

Electric Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and machine learning-based decision support system for early diagnosis of oral cancer, Yorkshire Cancer Research, 03/2024 - 02/2027, £496,656, as Co-PI

Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy for Oral Cancer Diagnosis (Principal Investigator)
EPSRC, 1 January 2023 - 31 July 2023, £27,373

Autonomous method for detecting cutting tool and machine tool anomalies in machining (Principal Investigator)
EPSRC,   1 November 2020 - 30 April 2025, £1,033,385

SYstems Science-based design and manufacturing of DYnamic MATerials and Structures (SYSDYMATS) (Principal Investigator)
EPSRC, 1 October 2018 - 30 September 2021, £1,607,562

Application of novel nonlinear data modelling and analysis to the study of cervical impedance spectroscopy for preterm birth prediction (Principal Investigator)
EPSRC, 1 July 2018 - 30 June 2021, £569,990

Development of data processing and analysis methods for EIS-based medical diagnosis - KTP with Zilico Ltd (Principal Investigator)
Innovate UK (TSB), 15 May 2019 - 14 May 2021, £190,816

Use of innovative fibre optic sensing to assess masonry arch bridges (Principal Investigator)
EPSRC KTA, 04/06/2018-31/12/2019, £63,779

Nonlinear Logistic Analysis of Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy and Relevant Data for Pre-Term Birth Prediction (Principal Investigator)
EPSRC KTA, 01/05/2017-30/04/2018, £25,542

Nonlinear Damping Design and Implementation for Building Base-Isolation Systems (Principal Investigator)
ROYAL SOCIETY, 17/08/2015- 16/05/2017, £12,000

Novel Sensing and Network for Intelligent Monitoring - Newton (Principal Investigator at Sheffield)
EPSRC, 01/07/2012 - 30/06/2016, £1,175,282

Demonstration of methods and tools for the optimisation of operational reliability of large-scale industrial wind turbines (Principal Investigator at Sheffield)
EU FP7, 01/08/13 - 31/07/16, €3,333,275

Structural damage evaluation using nonlinear lamb wave and frequency analyses (Principal Investigator)
Royal Society and National Natural Science Foundation of China,  01/04/2013 - 31/03/2015,  £12,000 and RMB 130,000

An integrated wayside condition monitoring system for axle bearing (PI at Sheffield) (Principal Investigator)
Innovate UK (TSB), 01/09/2012 - 30/08/2013, £392,695

Digital stereo Imaging and signal processing based condition monitoring technology for wind turbine blades (Principal Investigator)
EPSRC KTA, 01/11/2011 - 01/09/2012, £74,002

Experimental study of beneficial effect of nonlinear damping on vibration control (Principal Investigator)
Royal Society, 30/05/2010 - 31/12/2012, £11,190

Novel Integrated Condition Monitoring System for Wind Turbine Components (Principal Investigator)
UK Northern Wind Innovation Program (NWIP), 01/01/2010 - 31/03/2011, £80,664

New Generation Damping Technologies (Principal Investigator)
EPSRC, 01/05/2008 - 31/10/2011, £378,519

The application of advanced optimisation approaches to analytical engineering designs (Principal Investigator)
Royal Society UK-China Science Network follow-up grant,
01/05/2006 - 31/12/2006, £6,900

Application of advanced optimisation approaches to the design of engineering systems and structures (Principal Investigator)
Royal Society UK-China Science Network start-up grant, 01/08/2004 - 21/08/2004, £1,800

Nonlinear Output Frequency Response Functions: A New Concept in the Frequency Domain Analysis of Nonlinear Systems (Principal Investigator)
EPSRC, 01/04/2004 - 30/11/2006, £122,980