MECC 2022 Author Information

1. Submission instructions:
    Please submit all MECC 2022 manuscripts, abstracts, session proposals, and nominations through the IFAC PaperCept website (please visit ifac.papercept.net and click on the “log in” link for MECC 2022).
2. Formatting instructions:
    Please make sure that all your submissions to MECC 2022, including both initial and final submissions, are written in English and comply with the IFAC submission formatting requirements. Per IFAC publication requirement, the page size of all submissions needs to be A4 (not US letter size). For more information, including Word and LaTeX templates, please visit the MECC 2022 submission instructions page on PaperCept (by visiting ifac.papercept.net and navigating to link titled “Submit a contribution to MECC 2022”). Word and LaTeX paper templates are available here.
3. Copyright conditions
    All publication material submitted for presentation at an IFAC-sponsored meeting (Congress, Symposium, Conference, Workshop) must be original and hence cannot be already published, nor can it be under review elsewhere. The authors take responsibility for the material that has been submitted. IFAC-sponsored conferences will abide by the highest standard of ethical behavior in the review process as explained on the Elsevier webpage (https://www.elsevier.com/authors/journal-authors/policies-and-ethics), and the authors will abide by the IFAC publication ethics guidelines (https://www.ifac-control.org/events/organizersguide/PublicationEthicsGuidelines.pdf/view).
    Accepted papers that have been presented at an IFAC meeting will be published in the proceedings of the event using the open-access IFAC-PapersOnLine series hosted on ScienceDirect(https://sciencedirect.com/). To this end, the author(s) must grant exclusive publishing rights to IFAC under a Creative Commons license when they submit the final version of the paper. The copyright belongs to the authors, who have the right to share the paper in the same terms allowed by the end user license, and retain all patent, trademark and other intellectual property rights (including research data).
4. Submission and registration policies:
    Please keep in mind the MECC 2022 paper length limits:
    • Initial paper submissions can be up to 8 pages long.
    • Final paper submissions can be up to 6 pages long at no extra charge. Papers exceeding this 6-page limit will incur a charge of $200 for each extra page, up to a maximum length of 8 pages.
    Please register for MECC 2022 prior to uploading final papers:
    • At least one of the authors listed on the paper must pay the full registration fee in order to be able to upload the paper. Any full registration payment can be used for uploading papers, regardless of whether it is for on-site or online attendance, and regardless of whether it is at the member or non-member rate.
    • Student registrations cannot be used for uploading papers.
    • Up to 2 paper uploads are allowed per full registration.
5. MECC 2022 encourages all attendees to become IFAC Affiliates:
    IFAC Affiliate registration forms are available at: IFAC Affiliate registration forms.
 

Submission Types

The MECC 2022 submission website on PaperCept accepts multiple different types of submissions. Please see the descriptions of these submission types below.
 
1. Contributed papers
    A contributed paper is intended to be a self-contained, full description of completed work (i.e., not an extended abstract). All contributed papers will be peer reviewed. Contributed papers that are accepted for inclusion in the conference proceedings will be assigned to different conference sessions based on their topics.
2. Invited sessions/papers
    Invited session proposals
    An invited session proposal is a brief document that presents a unified theme bringing together up to 6 invited papers into a cohesive session. The proposal should list the proposed invited papers (titles and abstracts at a minimum), and explain how they come together to form a cohesive topic of interest to the community. All invited session proposals will be peer reviewed. Upon submission of an invited session proposal, a session code will be generated by PaperCept. Authors must use this session code to link their invited papers to the corresponding invited session proposal. If an invited session proposal is accepted, then all of the corresponding invited papers that receive an acceptance decision will be assigned to the accepted invited session. If fewer than 6 papers submitted under the invited session code are accepted, additional papers may be assigned to the invited session if they are relevant to the session’s topic. If an invited session proposal is rejected, then any accepted invited papers linked to the invited session proposal will be assigned to other sessions.
    Invited papers
    Invited papers are linked to an invited session proposal upon their submission. As with contributed papers, an invited paper is intended to be a self-contained, full description of completed work. A unified peer review process will be used for both contributed and invited papers. However, if an invited paper is accepted for inclusion in the conference proceedings and the associated invited session proposal is also accepted, the paper will automatically be assigned to the corresponding invited session.
3. Frontier sessions/papers
    Frontier session proposals
    A frontier session is similar to an invited session in the sense that it should bring together up to 6 papers to discuss a cohesive topic of interest to the community. In addition, the topic of a frontier session should represent an emerging frontier of research and discovery, e.g., a genuinely new area of research of interest to the MECC 2022 community. Just like an invited session proposal, a frontier session proposal should list the proposed session papers (titles and abstracts at a minimum), and explain how they come together to form a cohesive topic of interest to the community. In addition, the frontier session proposal must explain the novelty of the proposed session’s research topic. All frontier session proposals will be peer reviewed. Upon submission of a frontier session proposal, a session code will be generated by PaperCept. Authors must use this session code to link their papers to the corresponding frontier session proposal. If a frontier session proposal is accepted, then all of the corresponding frontier papers that receive an acceptance decision will be assigned to the accepted frontier session. Moreover, if fewer than 6 papers submitted under the frontier session code are accepted, additional papers may be assigned to the frontier session if they are relevant to the session’s topic. If a frontier session proposal is rejected, then any accepted papers linked to the frontier session proposal will be assigned to other sessions, potentially in the form of an invited session. Finally, the conference’s organizing and program committees may choose, based on the outcomes of the peer review process, to re-designate a contributed or invited session as a frontier session if the topic of the session is deemed sufficiently novel and timely.
    Frontier papers
    Frontier papers are linked to a frontier session proposal upon their submission. As with contributed and invited papers, a frontier paper is intended to be a self-contained, full description of completed work. A unified peer review process will be used for contributed, invited, and frontier session papers. If a frontier session paper is accepted for inclusion in the conference proceedings and the associated frontier session proposal is also accepted, the paper will automatically be assigned to the corresponding frontier session.
4. Workshops
    Workshop proposals
    A workshop is a pre-conference event, either half-day or full day, that introduces its audience to a cohesive topic of relevance to MECC 2022. A workshop can cover either a well-established topic or an emerging/frontier topic of interest to the MECC community. Moreover, a workshop can cover a scientific research topic or a topic of broad societal impact relevant to the MECC community. A workshop proposal should list the proposed workshop presentations (titles and presenters at a minimum), and explain how they come together to form a cohesive workshop. Please contact Dr. Zongxuan Sun ([email protected]), the MECC 2022 Workshops and Tutorial Sessions Chair, for additional information and instructions prior to proposing a workshop or tutorial session.
    Workshop presentation abstracts
    Workshops at MECC 2022 will not have peer-reviewed paper proceedings. However, every talk at a MECC 2022 workshop will be advertised on the MECC website. To this end, for every talk at a MECC 2022 workshop, the conference organizers expect the speaker(s) to upload a document listing: their names/affiliations, the title of their talk, and a an abstract (no more than 250 words) of this talk. Every workshop proposal, when uploaded to PaperCept, will generate a workshop code. The speakers at the workshop are asked to upload abstracts of their talks to PaperCept, and link these abstracts to the corresponding workshop code.
5. Tutorial sessions
    Tutorial session proposals
    A tutorial session is a regular-length session, within the main MECC 2022 program, that introduces its audience to a cohesive topic of relevance to MECC 2022. A tutorial session can cover either a well-established topic or an emerging/frontier topic of interest to the MECC community. Moreover, a tutorial session can cover either a scientific research topic or a topic of broad societal impact relevant to the MECC community. A tutorial session proposal should list the proposed tutorial presentations (titles and presenters at a minimum), and explain how they come together to form a cohesive tutorial session. Please contact Dr. Zongxuan Sun ([email protected]), the MECC 2022 Workshops and Tutorial Sessions Chair, for additional information and instructions prior to proposing a workshop or tutorial session.
    Tutorial session presentation abstracts
    Tutorial presentations may be 15 to 60 minutes long, with the total session time not to exceed a regular-length session time. Collaborations with industry are encouraged. Every talk at a MECC 2022 tutorial session will be advertised on the MECC website. To this end, for every talk at a MECC 2022 tutorial session, the conference organizers expect the speaker(s) to submit to PaperCept, an Abstract listing: their names/affiliations, the title of their talk, and a summary (no more than 250 words) of this talk. Every tutorial session proposal, when uploaded to PaperCept, will generate a tutorial session code. The speakers at the tutorial session are asked to upload abstracts of their talks to PaperCept, and link these abstracts to the corresponding tutorial session code. A tutorial paper is optional and may be up to 12 pages long if submitted, subject to peer review.
6. Special sessions
    Special session proposals
    A special session is a regular-length session, within the main MECC 2022 program, that helps build the MECC 2022 community. Examples of special sessions include industry-focused sessions, sessions organized by funding agencies, events serving students and young members, etc. A special session proposal should list the proposed special session presentations (titles and presenters at a minimum), and explain how they come together to form a cohesive special session. Please contact Dr. Yaoyu Li ([email protected]), the MECC 2022 Invited and Special Sessions Chair, for additional information and instructions prior to proposing a special session.
    Special session presentation abstracts
    Special sessions at MECC 2022 will not have peer-reviewed paper proceedings. However, it is possible for special sessions to include presentations/talks. Every talk at a MECC 2022 special session will be advertised on the MECC website. To this end, for every talk at a MECC 2022 special session, the conference organizers expect the speaker(s) to upload a document listing: their names/affiliations, the title of their talk, and a an abstract (no more than 250 words) of this talk. Every special session proposal, when uploaded to PaperCept, will generate a special session code. The speakers at the special session are asked to upload abstracts of their talks to PaperCept, and link these abstracts to the corresponding special session code.
7. DSCD Rising Stars invited talk nominations
    The DSCD Rising Stars invited talks are designed to help kick-start the careers of postdocs and senior Ph.D. students near graduation. Those selected will give 15-minute-long presentations (with 5-minute Q&A) during a special DSCD Rising Stars Invited Session (no papers required). A title, author list, talk abstract (250 words max), CV for the candidate (4 pages or less), and short 1-page nomination letter for this competition will be submitted as a single PDF through PaperCept under special session code bw4f7. Please contact both Dr. Minghui Zheng ([email protected]) and Dr. Ellen Yi Chen Mazumdar ([email protected]) with any questions. We encourage applicants to submit cohesive abstracts that highlight their most recent work, most high impact research (can be from other publications), or Ph.D. thesis. A Word template for the submission can be found here.

    A full list of DSCD Sutdents and Young Members initiatives for the MECC conference can be found here: https://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~mhzheng/DSCD-YS-Initiative/index.html
    Eligibility: An applicant for this invited session must (i) be a postdoctoral appointee or senior Ph.D. student (within 1-2 year from Ph.D. graduation) at the time of submission to MECC 2022; (ii) serve as the first author on the competition entry; (iii) present the talk at MECC him/herself; and (iv) provide a nomination letter from his/her advisor certifying the above. The nomination letter from the advisor should be on the university official letterhead, describe why the candidate should be considered for the DSCD Rising Stars invited session, and certify the eligibility of the candidate.
    The MECC 2022 Award Committee will select the best paper candidates based on the CV, the quality of the applicant’s prior work, the quality of the talk abstract, potential impact of the applicant’s work, the strength of the nomination letter, and alignment of the talk with conference themes. Candidates may apply multiple years but may only win once.
8. Student paper award nominations
    MECC 2022 is proud to host a student paper competition. Nominations for this competition will be submitted through PaperCept. The first author of a paper who was student at the time of submission is eligible. Finalists will present their papers twice at MECC 2022: (i) at a dedicated Best Student Paper competition session, and (ii) at a regular session. The presentation at the Best Student Paper competition session would be 15 minutes long with 5 minutes reserved for Q&A.
    Eligibility: A participant in the competition must (i) be a student at the time the paper (the competition entry) was submitted to MECC 2022; (ii) serve as the first author on the competition entry; (iii) present the paper at MECC him/herself; and (iv) provide a nomination letter from his/her advisor certifying the above. To compete for the Best Student Paper Award, the paper must be nominated by the student’s advisor. The nomination letter should be on the university official letterhead and describe why the paper should be considered for the Best Student Paper Award. The nomination must also certify the eligibility of the student.
    The MECC 2022 Award Committee will select the best paper candidates based on the paper, the student presentation, nomination, and the AE/reviewer recommendation.
    Please contact Dr. Ellen Yi Chen Mazumdar ([email protected]), the MECC 2022 Students and Young Members Chair, for additional information and instructions.
    Please 1) submit nominations in Papercept for tracking purposes and 2) send recommendation letters to [email protected]. Nominations are not complete until both steps have been completed.
9. Conference paper award nominations
    MECC 2022 is proud to host a conference paper competition. All regular and invited conference papers will be eligible for competition. Nominations for this competition must be submitted through PaperCept. Self-nomination is welcome. The nomination letter should describe why the paper should be considered for the Best Paper Award. The MECC 2022 Award Committee will select the best conference paper candidates based on the paper, the nomination, and the AE/reviewer recommendation.
10. Poster submissions
    Poster-only submissions will be accepted for late-breaking results for a separate poster presentation track. Eligible contents include recent results in modeling, estimation, and controls that the authors want to disseminate to a broader audience at MECC. The posters will be reviewed by the program committee, and no paper is required. Poster presenters must register for the full meeting. Authors must submit an abstract of the poster clearly explaining the merit of the topic and the result, following the IFAC paper template. Authors must bring their posters to the conference for presentation. Poster stands and poster boards will be made available at the conference. Please create submissions through the IFAC PaperCept website (please visit ifac.papercept.net and submit a contribution to MECC 2022).
11. Journal Paper Presentation of New Results in Modeling, Estimation, and Controls
    MECC 2022 invites pre"sentation of new results from recent papers in an AACC and/or IFAC related journal. Papers that are (1) published or accepted since the COVID pandemic in 2020, (2) appeared or will be appearing in an IFAC Journal (https://www.ifac-control.org/publications/journals) or a journal from any of the nine professional member societies of AACC (https://a2c2.org/about/mission-description), and (3) not previously presented at a conference, are eligible for presentation at MECC 2022. Abstracts not exceeding one page should be submitted for review before the submission deadline. Abstracts can include contents in the journal paper abstracts, but must cite the published/accepted journal paper and describe the merit of the paper and results. Please submit the abstract in the form of a PDF file that satisfies the compliance requirements listed in the Author Guide. Authors may refer to the Sample IFAC Paper to prepare their abstracts in the appropriate form. Authors must register for the conference for presentation. Please create submissions through the IFAC PaperCept website (please visit ifac.papercept.net and submit a contribution to MECC 2022).