Current Projects
Horizon 2020 book
For more information see horizonbook.eu
Sequence pattern modelling and description
Can we describe sequences (e.g. time series) without knowledge of the generating process? And how can we differentiate such a sequence from a pure random sequence? Hoffmann RD is developing and testing methods based on information theory to develop knowledge about sequences.
Ultralight burner design
Ultralight alcohol burners are used by outdoor enthusiasts. It is possible to make such burners at home. However not much is known about the parameters influencing the performance of an alcohol burner system including a screen. Hoffmann RD is doing a combined theoretical and practical study in order to improve the design methodology of ultralight alcohol burners.
Past Projects
Intelligent energy networks
In recent years intelligent energy networks, also called “smart grids”, are increasingly studied. Hoffmann RD has expertise on user centered design, privacy and security, and data mining for these networks. In 2010 Hoffmann RD published a report (in dutch) on using data from smart meters to enable energy savings for consumers (Hoffmann, 2010a).
Collaborative recommendation and intelligent advice systems
How can users learn from each other across the Internet? And how can computational intelligence support the decisions of individuals? Hoffmann RD is working on a data-driven framework for advice on energy savings for households.
Mobile user interface applications
Information presentation on mobile phones for intelligent advice systems is an innovative approach for user groups. Currently we are researching and prototyping such systems.
Simulation systems development
Hoffmann RD is working on an integrated knowledge discovery and modelling environment. This allows complex, data-driven simulations to be set up with minimal effort.
Localisation of innovation and R & D
Although technical innovations are universal, they nearly always require localisation and the adaption to a specific use case. Hoffmann RD is developing a framework to allow the efficient localisation of innovation and R&D.
Interactive user comunities
How can users contribute to a relatively small comunity website? The technology for this is simple through the use of a wiki system (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki, http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?WelcomeVisitors). Interactive user comunities also require a sense of community.
Development of a magnetocaloric cooling system
Magnetocaloric cooling has great potential to reduce the energy need for cooling. It does not use ozone depleting materials (CFC’s) or greenhouse gases (HFC’s and HCFC’s) as used in current cooling units. Currently magnetocaloric cooling is not in widespread use, partly because of the absence of efficient generic designs for cooling machines. Hoffmann RD is researching the feasibility of advanced magnetocaloric cooling concepts for practical applications. A system based on a suspension of magnetocaloric particles in a liquid has been simulated and studied. Results of this project are available in a public report (Hoffmann, 2008a).
Building energy simulation
Hoffmann RD developed a system to enable energy savings in buildings. It is based on actively changing the albedo of the outer surface of the building, using novel materials.
Infectious disease modelling
M. Hoffmann is working on the application of evolutionary computation to modelling the influence of contact between susceptibles on infectious disease transmission. Previously this work was conducted at the RIVM (www.rivm.nl).
Vegetation resistance to flow
For flood protection and river water level forecasting it is imperative to quantify the flow resistance of the river bed. If vegetation is present, this significantly influences the flow resistance. We have developed a unit-cell based flow model, allowing the calculation of flow resistance induced by vegetation (Hoffmann, 2004a, Hoffmann, 2002a, Hoffmann, 2002b, Hoffmann, 2002c).
Porous media modelling
Constitutive relationships play a key role in porous media flow modelling. Through the application of unit cell modelling, using a method pioneered by Prof. du Plessis, we have developed effective equations for unsaturated flow in porous media (Hoffmann, 2003a, Hoffmann, 2000a, Hoffmann, 2000b, Hoffmann, 2000c).
Earlier research applied real space renormalization theory to two-phase flow in porous media (Hoffmann, 2000d).