Championing the Transition to Clean Energy
Mechanical engineering Professor Ricardo Pinto de Castro is on a mission to advance climate-resilient research, driven by his passion for systems-level thinking and a longtime fascination with cars. The shift from fossil fuels to electric power—illustrated by the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) in bustling cities like San Francisco and the increasing popularity of electric appliances such as induction stovetops and heat pumps—reflects a broader trend in American society. This transition is further accelerated by the urgency of climate change.
De Castro, who is also a principal investigator at the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute (CITRIS), has been intrigued by how people adopt new technologies since the beginning of his research career. “In undergrad, I really enjoyed opening a book and reading it from start to end,” he recalls. “I am always driven to learn why things work the way they do. If you are in academia, you have to be a curious person, because the ‘why’ question is very important.”
Holding three patents, De Castro has worked on diverse projects, ranging from electric tractors to robotic vehicles. Since joining the faculty at UC Merced in 2021, he has led a lab focused on integrating power conversion with advanced control and optimization methods. His goal is to create efficient, durable, and reliable energy storage solutions for electric and robotic vehicles. Additionally, his team investigates vehicle automation, prioritizing safe motion planning and resilient control systems. De Castro also advises the Bobcat Racing EV team, which is designing and building a formula-style race car for the Formula SAE competitions.
For a complete profile of De Castro’s work, visit the CITRIS website.
**Media Contact:**
Alyssa Johansen
Public Information Officer
Office: (209) 413-9330
ajohansen@ucmerced.edu
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Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/driving-the-shift-to-clean-energy-innovations-in-electric-vehicles-and-sustainable-technologies/
