Patrick E. Dessert, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Director, PDMC Industrial and Systems Engineering Department 753 SEB; (248) 370-4896 ; Fax: (248) 370-4891 E-mail: doc_detroit@msn.com Ph.D., Oakland University, 1994

• Joined Oakland University in 1997

RESEARCH

• AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
• Systems Engineering
• Electrical and Hybrid Vehicles
• Intelligent Vehicle Architectures
• Alternate Fuels
• COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES
• Computer Learning
• Manufacturing
• CAD: Mechanical Systems
• Artificial Intelligence

1. Automotive Systems Engineering: This research centers on the creation of car and light truck of the future. This includes new power and propulsion paradigms (such as hybrid and electric vehicles); intelligent vehicle architectures (vehicles that can diagnose and repair themselves); and alternate fuel technologies (substitues and additives to help prolong use of fossil fuels).

2. Computer Learning: The research centers on the discovery and application of Artificial Life Techniques. This addresses the evolution of adaptive, learning, and self-sustaining agents that can be used to solve a variety of problems and exhibit intelligent behavior.
   
   
3. Manufacturing: Research in this area addresses the modeling, application, and benefits of world-class manufacturing techniques. This includes the modeling of manufacturing system through the use of chaos theory, adaptive models, and object oriented simulation. This research also compares the way that the manufacturing principles are used to support the emergence of a lean, agile, low-cost, high quality producer.
   
   Another aspect of this research is the collection of knowledge about process and application of that knowledge in the design domain. Design for manufacturability, assembly, and serviceability are all addressed in this research.
   
   
4. CAD: Mechanical systems: This research addresses the effective use of design in the product development life cycle. The application of intelligence in CAD is a major thrust in this research, to assure that the design decisions being made will not cause major problems in downstream phases of product development.
   
   Included in this research is study of Product Data Management Systems and how they may be used to further the optimization of design decisions across the entire product life cycle.
   
   
5. System Engineering: This research addresses engineering and design of systems. This research focuses on the creation of product development systems that assure that system consideration is given to every decision made in the product life cycle.
   
   
6. Artificial Intelligence: This research addresses the application of Artificial Intelligence techniques to the manufacturing domain.
   
   
7. Organization Learning: This research addresses the creation of an engineering methodology that can be used to ensure the creation, collection, retention, and dissemination of corporate knowledge assets. An “Engineered” solution to be able to raise the collective intelligence of a group of people involved in a collaborative environment is the ultimate goal of this research.