Thursday, 07 August 2025
Postgraduate students from the University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering recently took part in a hands-on workshop on Model-Based Design, delivered in collaboration with MathWorks, the developers of MATLAB and Simulink.
Held at University Park, the session gave MSc Engineering students the opportunity to work in teams to build a digital twin of an adaptive suspension system using Simscape, and to design appropriate control algorithms to meet performance targets.
The workshop was led by Dr Andrew Redfearn and Dr George Amarantidis Koronaios from MathWorks and offered an industry-grade challenge grounded in real-world engineering applications.
Dr Andrew Redfearn at MathWorks said: “Students worked in small teams to model an active suspension system using Simscape and design a PID controller in Simulink. The hands-on format encouraged teamwork and problem solving, with every group successfully completing the challenge.
The energy and engagement in the room were fantastic, and it was a pleasure to support students as they explored new tools and concepts. We look forward to building on this success and developing further opportunities for students to gain practical experience in model-based engineering.”
What is Model-Based Design — and why does it matter?
Model-Based Design (MBD) is a development methodology that uses models as the central part of the design process to specify, simulate, test, and automatically generate code for complex embedded systems.
By leveraging tools such as Simulink, Simscape, and Stateflow, engineers can validate designs early, iterate quickly, and maintain traceability from requirements to implementation - all within an integrated modelling environment. For today’s engineering graduates - particularly those entering sectors like automotive, aerospace, robotics, and energy - proficiency in Model-Based Design and such simulation tools is increasingly essential.
This is a great example of how academic-industry collaboration can directly benefit student learning. It was brilliant to see the enthusiasm and curiosity postgraduate students brought to the session. Initiatives like this both enhance technical skills, but also help students prepare for impactful careers in industry.”
Enhancing the MSc student experience
The session is part of the Faculty’s ongoing efforts to embed industry-relevant skills and digital tools into the MSc curriculum. Students not only tackled a technical challenge but also developed key competencies in teamwork, systems thinking, and applied control theory - all highly valued in engineering roles globally.
Model-Based Design is at the heart of how complex systems are developed in industry today - from electric vehicles to aerospace and robotics. We’re grateful to MathWorks for supporting our teaching. Workshops like this bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations by giving students experience with real-world tools and engineering workflows.”
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Ahmed Tamkin Butt on Ahmed.Butt@nottingham.ac.uk
Faith Pring - Media Relations Manager
Email: faith.pring@nottingham.ac.uk
Phone: 0115 748 4411
Location: University of Nottingham, University Park
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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