Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering

Fluid Power Laboratory

Research focuses on improving energy efficiency and efficiency of design of mechatronic systems with high power requirements, such as non-road mobile machines (NRMMs). To do this, we develop physics-based, data-driven and hybrid models that are validated with experiments at our laboratory.
Machine bed at the Fluid Power Laboratory

Current research setups at the lab include:

  • Large-scale mobile machine infrastructure intended to validate new, more efficient system architectures.
  • Electro-hydraulic actuation coupled with multi-pressure system focusing on improving linear actuator efficiency
  • Passive and active damping systems, which reduce wear and ensure long-lasting operation
  • Hydraulic accumulator development for better component-level efficiency
  • Waste heat utilization system, which turns low waste heat into useful work.

Main challenges investigated in our research include efficiency, performance, control, price, reliability and usability tradeoffs and limitations. Main challenges investigated in our research include efficiency, performance, control, price, reliability and usability tradeoffs and limitations.  Some of the fundamental scientific questions we seek answers to include: How can we accelerate the transition to zero-emission mechatronic systems? How can we utilize generative design, ML and AI to improve design process performance and support innovation?

Recent updates

Cylinder vibration testbench.
Differential Dual-Motor System (DDMS) of powertrain and
working hydraulics.
CFD simulations of adsorption process.

“Electrification drives and enables the design of new solutions that can outperform older technologies. While components of heavy mobile machines should be as small, inexpensive, and reliable as possible, all components should also be utilized extensively to maximize space usage. My research focuses on system-level design, which involves the proper sizing and multifunctional use of all primary system components.” Topias Tyni

Differential Dual-Motor System (DDMS) of powertrain and
working hydraulics.
CFD simulations of adsorption process.
Electro-hydraulic actuator.

"Adsorption is a promising method for carbon capture and gas compression systems using waste heat. We are studying the optimal design of an adsorption reactor using CFD simulations, including its shape and size, operating conditions and adsorbents to improve the energy efficiency of existing systems." Ali M. Sefidan

CFD simulations of adsorption process.
Electro-hydraulic actuator.
Cylinder vibration testbench.

Electro-hydraulic testbench where the control challenges of moving from one loading quadrant to another is studied. The four loading quadrants are defined by the movement direction and loading direction.

Electro-hydraulic actuator.
Cylinder vibration testbench.
Differential Dual-Motor System (DDMS) of powertrain and
working hydraulics.

Passive damping of hydraulic cylinders is studied by utilizing a cylinder coupled with a hydraulic accumulator or a constant volume. Active damping is achieved by predictive and high-frequency valve control.

a small hydraulic cylinder with multiple sensors and their cables

Research Projects

This page summarizes the industrial research project carried out by Aalto Fluid Power laboratory.

Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering

Latest publications

Regenerative Motor Compensator for Load Sensing Hydraulics

J. Lehto, J. Vepsalainen 2026 IEEE Access

Connection-Constrained Genetic Algorithms for Feasible Multi-Objective Vehicle Powertrain Architecture Optimization

Stefanos G. Zafiris, Rohail A. Malik, Muhammad Ahmad, Jari Vepsalainen 2026 IEEE Access

Development of a low-temperature heat engine using rapid thermal swing adsorption of CO2 onto activated carbon

Gabriel Juul, Anna Kaisa Korhonen, Ganesh Neupane, Heikki Lagus, Jyrki Kajaste, Mika Järvinen, Jari Vepsäläinen 2025 Applied Thermal Engineering

CFD modelling of CO2 adsorption onto activated carbon : Insights into reactor and process design

Ali M. Sefidan, Jari Vepsalainen 2025 Case Studies in Thermal Engineering

Effects of Oscillating Injection Conditions of CO2 onto its Adsorption Performance within a Packed-Bed Reactor

Ali M. Sefidan, Jari Vepsalainen 2025 Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Fluid Flow, Heat and Mass Transfer, FFHMT 2025
More information on our research in the Aalto research portal.
Research portal

Aalto Fluid Power Laboratory
Sähkömiehentie 4 O
02150 Espoo

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