Hongtao Qiao

Phone: 617-621-7586
Email:

Position:
Research / Technical Staff

Senior Principal Research Scientist
Education:
Ph.D., University of Maryland, 2014
Research Areas:
External Links:
- Google Scholar

Hongtao's Quick Links

Biography
Recent News & Events
Internships
MERL Publications
Other Publications
Videos
MERL Issued Patents

Biography

Prior to his PhD, Hongtao worked at Carrier Corporation developing advanced steady-state computer simulations for HVAC systems. During his PhD, he developed a comprehensive transient modeling framework for thermo-fluid systems to explore complex dynamic characteristics of vapor compression cycles. Currently, Hongtao works on the control-oriented multi-physical system modeling.
Recent News & Events
- NEWS MERL researchers present 8 papers at ACC 2026
  Date: May 26, 2026 - May 29, 2026
  Where: New Orleans, USA
  MERL Contacts: Scott A. Bortoff; Vedang M. Deshpande; Stefano Di Cairano; Christopher R. Laughman; Jordan Leung; Hongtao Qiao; Zhaolin Ren; Abraham P. Vinod; Yebin Wang
  Research Areas: Control, Dynamical Systems, Optimization, Robotics
  Brief
  - MERL researchers presented 8 papers at the recently concluded American Control Conference (ACC) 2026 in New Orleans, USA. The papers covered a wide range of topics including robust controllable set computation, vapor compression cycle calibration, task-reasoning LLM agents, Minkowski-cost stable MPC, polynomial chaos approximation, invariant-set motion planning, heat-pump MPC architectures, and relaxed barrier-function MPC. Additionally, Zhaolin Ren was an invited speaker at Multi-Agent Dynamic Games workshop, and Abraham Vinod served as a panelist at the Professional Development and Career Advice for Young Professionals session.
    
    As a sponsor of the conference, MERL maintained a booth for open discussions with researchers and students, and hosted a special session to discuss highlights of MERL research and work philosophy.
- NEWS MERL Researchers Attend Modelica North American Users Group Meeting
  Date: November 11, 2015 - November 12, 2015
  Where: University of Connecticut
  MERL Contacts: Christopher R. Laughman; Scott A. Bortoff; Hongtao Qiao
  Research Area: Data Analytics
  Brief
  - MERL Researchers Scott A. Bortoff, Chris Laughman and Hongtao Qiao attended the North America Modelica User's Group Meeting, hosted by the University of Connecticut, November 11-12, 2015. Scott Bortoff gave the Keynote Address entitled "Using Modelica in Industrial Research and Development," and Chris Laughman and Hongtao Qiao each presented a paper on modelling of HVAC systems. The Meeting attracted approximately 80 Modelica users from a diverse set of companies and universities including United Technologies, Johnson Controls and Ford. Use of Modelica is accelerating in North America, lead by largely by automotive and similar "systems manufacturing" type companies.
Internships with Hongtao
- MS0259: Internship - Multi-Fidelity Dynamic Models for Energy Systems
See All Internships at MERL

MERL Publications
- Zinage, S., Dixit, V., Chakrabarty, A., Qiao, H., Laughman, C.R., Bilionis, I., Deshpande, V.M., "Sequential Model Calibration of Vapor Compression Cycles using Approximate Bayesian Computation", American Control Conference (ACC), May 2026.
  BibTeX TR2026-061 PDF
  - @inproceedings{Zinage2026may,
  - author = {Zinage, Shrenik and Dixit, Vaibhav and Chakrabarty, Ankush and Qiao, Hongtao and Laughman, Christopher R. and Bilionis, Ilias and Deshpande, Vedang M.},
  - title = {{Sequential Model Calibration of Vapor Compression Cycles using Approximate Bayesian Computation}},
  - booktitle = {American Control Conference (ACC)},
  - year = 2026,
  - month = may,
  - url = {https://www.merl.com/publications/TR2026-061}
  - }
- Vaziri, A., Qiao, H., Laughman, C.R., Fang, H., "Modular Deep Learning Framework for Vapor-Compression HVAC Systems: Scalable, Efficient, and Physically Consistent Modeling", Applied Thermal Engineering, May 2026.
  BibTeX TR2026-058 PDF
  - @article{Vaziri2026may,
  - author = {Vaziri, Ali and Qiao, Hongtao and Laughman, Christopher R. and Fang, Huazhen},
  - title = {{Modular Deep Learning Framework for Vapor-Compression HVAC Systems: Scalable, Efficient, and Physically Consistent Modeling}},
  - journal = {Applied Thermal Engineering},
  - year = 2026,
  - month = may,
  - url = {https://www.merl.com/publications/TR2026-058}
  - }
- Zhai, H., Qiao, H., Mansour, H., Laughman, C.R., "Scalable Physics-Informed Neural Differential Equations and Data-Driven Algorithms for HVAC Systems", arXiv, April 2026.
  BibTeX arXiv
  - @article{Zhai2026apr,
  - author = {Zhai, Hanfeng and Qiao, Hongtao and Mansour, Hassan and Laughman, Christopher R.},
  - title = {{Scalable Physics-Informed Neural Differential Equations and Data-Driven Algorithms for HVAC Systems}},
  - journal = {arXiv},
  - year = 2026,
  - month = apr,
  - url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.18438}
  - }
- Qiao, H., "Analytical reformulation of LMTD and effectiveness-NTU methods for two-phase heat transfer with pressure drop and temperature glide", International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, November 2025.
  BibTeX TR2026-103 PDF
  - @article{Qiao2025nov,
  - author = {Qiao, Hongtao},
  - title = {{Analytical reformulation of LMTD and effectiveness-NTU methods for two-phase heat transfer with pressure drop and temperature glide}},
  - journal = {International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer},
  - year = 2025,
  - month = nov,
  - url = {https://www.merl.com/publications/TR2026-103}
  - }
- Miyawaki, K., Qiao, H., Sciazko, A., Shikazono, N., "LSTM-Based Modeling and Cross-Correlation Sensitivity Analysis for Heat Pump Refrigerant Distribution", International Journal of Refrigeration, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2025.06.006, Vol. 177, pp. 351-363, September 2025.
  BibTeX TR2025-141 PDF
  - @article{Miyawaki2025sep,
  - author = {Miyawaki, Kosuke and Qiao, Hongtao and Sciazko, Anna and Shikazono, Naoki},
  - title = {{LSTM-Based Modeling and Cross-Correlation Sensitivity Analysis for Heat Pump Refrigerant Distribution}},
  - journal = {International Journal of Refrigeration},
  - year = 2025,
  - volume = 177,
  - pages = {351--363},
  - month = sep,
  - doi = {10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2025.06.006},
  - url = {https://www.merl.com/publications/TR2025-141}
  - }
See All MERL Publications for Hongtao
Other Publications
- J. Ling, A. Alabdulkarem, H. Qiao, V. Aute and R Radermacher, "Modelica-based Heat Pump Model for Transient and Steady-state Simulation Using Low-GWP Refrigerants", 15th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue, July 2014.
  BibTeX External
  - @Inproceedings{Ling2014IRACC,
  - author = {Ling, J. and Alabdulkarem, A. and Qiao, H. and Aute, V. and Radermacher, R},
  - title = {Modelica-based Heat Pump Model for Transient and Steady-state Simulation Using Low-GWP Refrigerants},
  - booktitle = {15th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue},
  - year = 2014,
  - month = jul,
  - url = {https://www.conftool.com/2014Purdue/}
  - }
- H. Qiao, V. Aute and R. Radermacher, "A New Dynamic Heat Exchanger Model with Frosting and Defrosting", 15th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue, July 2014.
  BibTeX External
  - @Inproceedings{Qiao2014IRACC,
  - author = {Qiao, H. and Aute, V. and Radermacher, R.},
  - title = {A New Dynamic Heat Exchanger Model with Frosting and Defrosting},
  - booktitle = {15th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue},
  - year = 2014,
  - month = jul,
  - url = {https://www.conftool.com/2014Purdue/}
  - }
- H. Qiao, V. Aute and R. Radermacher, "An Improved Moving Boundary Heat Exchanger Model with Pressure Drop", 15th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue, July 2014.
  BibTeX External
  - @Inproceedings{Qiao2014IRACCa,
  - author = {Qiao, H. and Aute, V. and Radermacher, R.},
  - title = {An Improved Moving Boundary Heat Exchanger Model with Pressure Drop},
  - booktitle = {15th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue},
  - year = 2014,
  - month = jul,
  - url = {https://www.conftool.com/2014Purdue/}
  - }
- H. Qiao, L. Kwon, V. Aute and R. Radermacher, "Transient Modeling of a Multi-Evaporator Air Conditioning System and Control Method Investigation", 11th IEA Heat Pump Conference, May 2014.
  BibTeX External
  - @Inproceedings{Qiao2014HPC,
  - author = {Qiao, H. and Kwon, L. and Aute, V. and Radermacher, R.},
  - title = {Transient Modeling of a Multi-Evaporator Air Conditioning System and Control Method Investigation},
  - booktitle = {11th IEA Heat Pump Conference},
  - year = 2014,
  - month = may,
  - url = {http://www.iea-hpc2014.org/conference-poster-program.php}
  - }
- P. Li, Y. Li, J. Seem, H. Qiao, X. Li and J. Winkler, "Recent Advances in Dynamic Modeling of HVAC Equipment -- Part II: Modelica-based Modeling", HVAC&R Research, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 150-161, 2014.
  BibTeX External
  - @Article{Li2014HVACR,
  - author = {Li, P. and Li, Y. and Seem, J. and Qiao, H. and Li, X. and Winkler, J.},
  - title = {Recent Advances in Dynamic Modeling of HVAC Equipment -- Part II: Modelica-based Modeling},
  - journal = {HVAC\&R Research},
  - year = 2014,
  - volume = 20,
  - number = 1,
  - pages = {150--161},
  - url = {http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10789669.2013.836876}
  - }
- P. Li, H. Qiao, Y. Li, J. Seem, J. Winkler and X. Li, "Recent Advances in Dynamic Modeling of HVAC Equipment -- Part I: Equipment Modeling", HVAC&R Research, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 136-149, 2014.
  BibTeX External
  - @Article{Li2014HVACRa,
  - author = {Li, P. and Qiao, H. and Li, Y. and Seem, J. and Winkler, J. and Li, X.},
  - title = {Recent Advances in Dynamic Modeling of HVAC Equipment -- Part I: Equipment Modeling},
  - journal = {HVAC\&R Research},
  - year = 2014,
  - volume = 20,
  - number = 1,
  - pages = {136--149},
  - url = {http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10789669.2013.836877}
  - }
- H. Qiao, X. Xu, V. Aute and R. Radermacher, "Transient Modeling of a Flash Tank Vapor Injection Heat Pump System - Part II: Simulation Results and Experimental Validation", International Journal of Refrigeration, 2014.
  BibTeX External
  - @Article{Qiao2014IJR,
  - author = {Qiao, H. and Xu, X. and Aute, V. and Radermacher, R.},
  - title = {Transient Modeling of a Flash Tank Vapor Injection Heat Pump System - Part II: Simulation Results and Experimental Validation},
  - journal = {International Journal of Refrigeration},
  - year = 2014,
  - url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140700714001819}
  - }
- H. Qiao, V. Aute and R. Radermacher, "Transient Modeling of a Flash Tank Vapor Injection Heat Pump System - Part I: Model Development", International Journal of Refrigeration, 2014.
  BibTeX External
  - @Article{Qiao2014IJRa,
  - author = {Qiao, H. and Aute, V. and Radermacher, R.},
  - title = {Transient Modeling of a Flash Tank Vapor Injection Heat Pump System - Part I: Model Development},
  - journal = {International Journal of Refrigeration},
  - year = 2014,
  - url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140700714001820}
  - }
- J. Ling, M. Eisele, H. Qiao, V. Aute, Y. Hwang and Radermacher R., "Transient Modeling and Validation of an Automotive Secondary Loop Air-conditioning System", SAE Technical Paper 2014-01-0647, 2014.
  BibTeX External
  - @Article{Qiao2014TR,
  - author = {Ling, J. and Eisele, M. and Qiao, H. and Aute, V. and Hwang, Y. and R., Radermacher},
  - title = {Transient Modeling and Validation of an Automotive Secondary Loop Air-conditioning System},
  - journal = {SAE Technical Paper 2014-01-0647},
  - year = 2014,
  - url = {http://papers.sae.org/2014-01-0647/}
  - }
- H. Qiao, V. Aute, H. Lee, K. Saleh and R. Radermacher, "A New Model for Plate Heat Exchanger with Generalized Flow Configurations and Phase Change", International Journal of Refrigeration, Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 622-632, 2013.
  BibTeX External
  - @Article{Qiao2013IJR,
  - author = {Qiao, H. and Aute, V. and Lee, H. and Saleh, K. and Radermacher, R.},
  - title = {A New Model for Plate Heat Exchanger with Generalized Flow Configurations and Phase Change},
  - journal = {International Journal of Refrigeration},
  - year = 2013,
  - volume = 36,
  - number = 2,
  - pages = {622--632},
  - url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140700712003283}
  - }
- H. Qiao, V. Aute and R. Radermacher, "Comparison of Equation-based and Non-equation-based Approaches for Transient Modeling of a Vapor Compression Cycle", 14th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue, July 2012.
  BibTeX External
  - @Inproceedings{Qiao2012IRACC,
  - author = {Qiao, H. and Aute, V. and Radermacher, R.},
  - title = {Comparison of Equation-based and Non-equation-based Approaches for Transient Modeling of a Vapor Compression Cycle},
  - booktitle = {14th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue},
  - year = 2012,
  - month = jul,
  - url = {http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iracc/1205/}
  - }
- H. Qiao, X. Xu, V. Aute and R. Radermacher, "Modelica-based Transient Modeling for a Flash Tank Vapor Injection System and Experimental Validation", 14th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue, July 2012.
  BibTeX External
  - @Inproceedings{Qiao2012IRACCa,
  - author = {Qiao, H. and Xu, X. and Aute, V. and Radermacher, R.},
  - title = {Modelica-based Transient Modeling for a Flash Tank Vapor Injection System and Experimental Validation},
  - booktitle = {14th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue},
  - year = 2012,
  - month = jul,
  - url = {http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iracc/1202/}
  - }
- H. Qiao, V. Aute, H. Lee and R. Radermacher, "A New Model for Plate Heat Exchangers with Generalized Configurations and Phase Change", 10th IIR-Gustav Lorentzen Conference on Natural Working Fluid, June 2012, vol. 1, pp. 127-136.
  BibTeX External
  - @Inproceedings{Qiao2012IIR,
  - author = {Qiao, H. and Aute, V. and Lee, H. and Radermacher, R.},
  - title = {A New Model for Plate Heat Exchangers with Generalized Configurations and Phase Change},
  - booktitle = {10th IIR-Gustav Lorentzen Conference on Natural Working Fluid},
  - year = 2012,
  - volume = 1,
  - pages = {127--136},
  - month = jun,
  - url = {http://toc.proceedings.com/15739webtoc.pdf}
  - }
- H. Qiao, V. Singh, V. Aute and R. Radermacher, "Optimization of Fin Density for Plate Fin Heat Exchanger", 13th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue, July 2010.
  BibTeX External
  - @Inproceedings{Qiao2010IRACC,
  - author = {Qiao, H. and Singh, V. and Aute, V. and Radermacher, R.},
  - title = {Optimization of Fin Density for Plate Fin Heat Exchanger},
  - booktitle = {13th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue},
  - year = 2010,
  - month = jul,
  - url = {https://www.conftool.com/2012Purdue/}
  - }
- H. Qiao, R. Radermacher and V. Aute, "A Review for Numeric Simulation of Vapor Compression Systems", 13th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue, July 2010.
  BibTeX External
  - @Inproceedings{Qiao2010IRACCa,
  - author = {Qiao, H. and Radermacher, R. and Aute, V.},
  - title = {A Review for Numeric Simulation of Vapor Compression Systems},
  - booktitle = {13th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue},
  - year = 2010,
  - month = jul,
  - url = {http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iracc/1090/}
  - }
- G. Ding, H. Qiao and Z. Lu, "Ways to Improve Thermal Uniformity inside a Refrigerator", Applied Thermal Engineering, Vol. 24, No. 13, pp. 1827-1840, 2004.
  BibTeX External
  - @Article{Ding2004ATE,
  - author = {Ding, G. and Qiao, H. and Lu, Z.},
  - title = {Ways to Improve Thermal Uniformity inside a Refrigerator},
  - journal = {Applied Thermal Engineering},
  - year = 2004,
  - volume = 24,
  - number = 13,
  - pages = {1827--1840},
  - url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359431104000092}
  - }
Videos

Co-simulation of HVAC Equipment and Airflow
MERL Issued Patents
- Title: "System and Method for Data-Driven Control of an Air-Conditioning System"
  Inventors: Qiao, Hongtao; Chakrabarty, Ankush; Laughman, Christopher; Wang, Yebin
  Patent No.: 12,632,016
  Issue Date: May 19, 2026
- Title: "System and Method for Calculation of Thermofluid Properties using Saturation Curve-Aligned Coordinates"
  Inventors: Laughman, Christopher; Bortoff, Scott A.; Qiao, Hongtao
  Patent No.: 11,739,996
  Issue Date: Aug 29, 2023
- Title: "System and Method for Designing Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) Systems"
  Inventors: Nabi, Saleh; Qiao, Hongtao
  Patent No.: 11,580,281
  Issue Date: Feb 14, 2023
- Title: "CONTROLLING HVAC SYSTEM BY INVERSING AIRFLOW DYNAMICS"
  Inventors: Nabi, Saleh; Qiao, Hongtao; Grover, Piyush
  Patent No.: 11,162,701
  Issue Date: Nov 2, 2021
- Title: "System and Method for Power Optimizing Control of Multi-Zone Heat Pumps"
  Inventors: Bortoff, Scott A.; Burns, Daniel J; Laughman, Christopher; Qiao, Hongtao
  Patent No.: 10,895,412
  Issue Date: Jan 19, 2021
- Title: "System and Method for Controlling Refrigerant in Vapor Compression System"
  Inventors: Laughman, Christopher; Qiao, Hongtao; Burns, Daniel J; Bortoff, Scott A.
  Patent No.: 10,830,515
  Issue Date: Nov 10, 2020
- Title: "Coordinated Operation of Multiple Space-Conditioning Systems"
  Inventors: Laughman, Christopher; Qiao, Hongtao; Burns, Daniel J; Bortoff, Scott A.
  Patent No.: 10,234,158
  Issue Date: Mar 19, 2019
See All Patents for MERL

MS0259: Internship - Multi-Fidelity Dynamic Models for Energy Systems