AI-Driven Engineering Optimization

A special issue of Algorithms (ISSN 1999-4893). This special issue belongs to the section "Algorithms for Multidisciplinary Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 3321

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Digital Technologies, University of Bradford, Bradford BD71DP, UK
Interests: engineering modelling and optimization; evolutionary computation; multimodal optimization; mechanical engineering; species optimization

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Technical Institute of Baquba, Middle Technical University, Baquba 32001, Iraq
2. Technical Instructor Training Institute, Middle Technical University, Baghdad 10074, Iraq
Interests: modelling, simulation and optimization of membrane and thermal water desalination and wastewater treatment; hybrid systems based renewable energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Media and Engineering, Communication University of Zhejiang, Hangzhou 310008, China
Interests: natural language processing; artificial intelligence; cognitive computing in multimedia intelligent information processing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the landscape of engineering design, analysis, and optimization. However, this evolution is accompanied by increasing complex challenges. Modern engineering systems are characterized by intricate interdependencies, vast data streams, and a constant need to adapt to dynamic environments. Traditional engineering optimizations struggle to address those challenges with need for real-time optimal decision-making, the inherent uncertainties of complex systems, and large scale of data. 

From generative design algorithms to physics-informed neural networks, AI-driven methods are unlocking unprecedented opportunities to solve complex, multi-disciplinary engineering challenge.  The intersection and combination of artificial intelligence and optimization will present new ways for developing innovative engineering solutions. AI has a strong capacity for pattern recognition, and decision analysis, while the strengths of engineering optimization are optimization, simulation and decision-making of vast engineering problems. Their combination will help us to develop next generation optimization methods that are not only efficient and effective, but also robust, adaptable and capable of exploring the complexities of the interconnected world.    

This Special Issue invites researchers, practitioners and engineers to share work at the intersection of AI, machine learning and engineering optimization to explore cutting-edge advancements, practical applications and future directions in AI-driven optimization across engineering domains, topics of interest include but not limited to:

  • AI/ML techniques for engineering optimization
    • AI techniques: Neural networks, machine learning.
    • Evolutionary computation: including genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization, ant colony optimization and differential evolution etc.
    • Hybrid models combining AI with traditional numerical methods.
    • Generative /Multimodal optimization: explore new solutions.
    • Design automation.
    • Data-driven optimization.
  • Applications across Engineering Disciplines
    • Aerospace, automotives, civil, mechanical, chemical and energy systems etc.
    • Real-time optimization for robotics and smart engineering design.
    • Large scale engineering optimization.
    • AI applications in engineering optimization.

Dr. Jian-Ping Li
Dr. Mudhar Al-Obaidi
Dr. Qingsheng Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Algorithms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • AI-driven engineering optimization
  • artificial intelligence
  • machine learning
  • neural networks
  • evolutionary computation
  • genetic algorithm
  • particle swarm optimization
  • differential evolution
  • swarm intelligence
  • ant colon optimization
  • cognitive computation
  • modelling and optimization
  • mechanical engineering
  • chemical engineering
  • water treatment
  • electrical engineering
  • aerospace engineering
  • natural language processing
  • data-driven optimization
  • design automation

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

21 pages, 8773 KB  
Article
Engineering-Oriented Explainable Machine Learning and Digital Twin Framework for Sustainable Dairy Production and Environmental Impact Optimisation
by Ruiming Xing, Baihua Li, Shirin Dora, Michael Whittaker and Janette Mathie
Algorithms 2025, 18(10), 670; https://doi.org/10.3390/a18100670 - 21 Oct 2025
Viewed by 759
Abstract
Enhancing productivity while reducing environmental impact presents a major engineering challenge in sustainable dairy farming. This study proposes an engineering-oriented explainable machine learning and digital twin framework for multi-objective optimisation of milk yield and nitrogen-related emissions. Using the CowNflow dataset, which integrates individual-level [...] Read more.
Enhancing productivity while reducing environmental impact presents a major engineering challenge in sustainable dairy farming. This study proposes an engineering-oriented explainable machine learning and digital twin framework for multi-objective optimisation of milk yield and nitrogen-related emissions. Using the CowNflow dataset, which integrates individual-level nitrogen balance, feeding, and production data collected under controlled experimental conditions, the framework combines data analytics, feature selection, predictive modelling, and SHAP-based explainability to support decision-making in dairy production. The stacking ensemble model achieved the best predictive performance (R2 = 0.85 for milk yield and R2 = 0.794 for milk urea), providing reliable surrogates for downstream optimisation. Predicted milk urea values were further transformed using empirical equations to estimate urinary urea nitrogen (UUN) and ammonia (NH3) emissions, offering an indirect yet practical approach to assess environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the predictive models are integrated into a digital twin platform that provides a dynamic, real-time simulation environment for scenario testing, continuous optimisation, and data-driven decision support, effectively bridging data analytics with sustainable dairy system management. This research demonstrates how explainable AI, machine learning, and digital twin engineering can jointly drive sustainable dairy production, offering actionable insights for improving productivity while minimising environmental impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI-Driven Engineering Optimization)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

46 pages, 4076 KB  
Review
A Review of AI-Driven Engineering Modelling and Optimization: Methodologies, Applications and Future Directions
by Jian-Ping Li, Nereida Polovina and Savas Konur
Algorithms 2026, 19(2), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/a19020093 - 23 Jan 2026
Viewed by 694
Abstract
Engineering is suffering a significant change driven by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into engineering optimization in design, analysis, and operational efficiency across numerous disciplines. This review synthesizes the current landscape of AI-driven optimization methodologies and their impacts on engineering applications. In [...] Read more.
Engineering is suffering a significant change driven by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into engineering optimization in design, analysis, and operational efficiency across numerous disciplines. This review synthesizes the current landscape of AI-driven optimization methodologies and their impacts on engineering applications. In the literature, several frameworks for AI-based engineering optimization have been identified: (1) machine learning models are trained as objective and constraint functions for optimization problems; (2) machine learning techniques are used to improve the efficiency of optimization algorithms; (3) neural networks approximate complex simulation models such as finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and this makes it possible to optimize complex engineering systems; and (4) machine learning predicts design parameters/initial solutions that are subsequently optimized. Fundamental AI technologies, such as artificial neural networks and deep learning, are examined in this paper, along with commonly used AI-assisted optimization strategies. Representative applications of AI-driven engineering optimization have been surveyed in this paper across multiple fields, including mechanical and aerospace engineering, civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, chemical and materials engineering, energy and management. These studies demonstrate how AI enables significant improvements in computational modelling, predictive analytics, and generative design while effectively handling complex multi-objective constraints. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in areas such as data quality, model interpretability, and computational cost, particularly in real-time environments. Through a systematic analysis of recent case studies and emerging trends, this paper provides a critical assessment of the state of the art and identifies promising research directions, including physics-informed neural networks, digital twins, and human–AI collaborative optimization frameworks. The findings highlight AI’s potential to redefine engineering optimization paradigms, while emphasizing the need for robust, scalable, and ethically aligned implementations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI-Driven Engineering Optimization)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop