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Journal Papers

[2026tac-b] Z. Ma, Y. Tong, X. Yin. “Verification of Resilient Current-State Opacity Against Dynamic Sensor Enabling Attacks”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2026, Early Access. DOI: 10.1109/TAC.2026.3684361.
[2026tac-a] S. Matsui, J. Bourgain-Wilbal, Y. Saito, Z. Ma, G. Faraut, K. Cai, K. Rudie. “Supervisory Control under Indefinite Actuator and Sensor Attacks: Prescribed Resilience”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2026, Early Access. DOI: 10.1109/TAC.2026.3665131.
[2026nahs] Z. Ma, A. Giua. “Enforcing Disjunctive GMECs in Petri Nets by Transition Splitting”, Nonlinear Analysis: Hybrid Systems, 2026, 61, Article 101753.
[2026deds] Z. Ma, Y. Wang, Y. Yang, Y. Tong. “A Petri Net Approach for Dynamic Task Assignment Problems and Its Application in Weapon-Target Assignment”, Discrete Event Dynamic Systems, 2026, Early Access. DOI: 10.1007/s10626-026-00446-9.
[2026cste] G. Hou, Z. Wang, Z. Hou, Z. Ma, L. Moradi. “Comprehensive Techno-Economic Assessment of a Novel Convex-Hull Runner Photovoltaic/Thermal Collector with Phase Change Material Enhancement”, Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 2026, 81, Article 107959.
[2026jrse] C. Han, H. Feng, M. Wang, Z. Wang, Z. Hou, Z. Ma, G. Hou, “Impact of Ground Heat Exchangers on Photovoltaic/Thermal System: Energy, Exergy, Economic, and Environment Analysis”, Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 2026, 18, Article 043702.
[2025tac] Z. Ma, K. Cai. “Secret Protection in Discrete-Event Systems with Generalized Confidentiality Requirements”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2025, 70(4), 2321-2333.
[2025ecm] J. Li, G. Hou, H. Taherian, Z. Ma, Z. Liu, Z. Zhang. “Comparative Analysis of a Solar-geothermal System with Energy Retrofit Based on Innovative Indexes”, Energy Conversion and Management, 2025, 323, Article 119238.
[2024tsmc] Y. Hu, Z. Ma, R. Liu, M. P. Fanti, Z. Li. “Supervisor Synthesis Using Labeled Petri Nets for Forbidden State Specifications”, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics: Systems, 2024, 54(10), 6242-6254.
[2024aut] C. Gu, Z. Ma, Z. Li. “Liveness and Deadlock-freeness Verification and Enforcement in Bounded Petri Nets Using Basis Reachability Graphs”, Automatica, 2024, Article 111625.
[2024tac-b] Z. Ma, J. Jiang, K. Cai. “Secret Protections with Costs and Disruptiveness in Discrete-Event Systems Using Centralities”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2024,  69(7): 4380-4395.
[2024tac-a] Z. Ma, Y. Tong, C. Seatzu. “Verification of Pattern-Pattern Diagnosability in Partially Observed Discrete Event Systems”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2024, 69(3) 2044-2051.
[2024tase] Y. Hu, Z. Ma, Z. Li. “Design of Supervisors for Partially Observed Discrete Event Systems Using Quiescent Information”, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 2024, 21(3): 4778-4789.
[2023tsmc] L. Yang, Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Rumor Containment by Blocking Nodes in Social Networks”, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics: Systems, 2023, 53(7), 3990-4002.
[2023cep] P. Lv, G. Luo, Z. Ma, S. Li, X. Yin. “Optimal Multi-robot Path Planning for Cyclic Tasks Using Petri Nets”, Control Engineering Practice, 2023, 138, Article 105600.
[2023tac] Y. Tong, Z. Ma. “Verification of k-Step and Definite Critical Observability in Discrete-Event Systems”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2023, 68(7), 4305-4312.
[2023lcsys] W. Shi, Z. He, Z. Ma, N. Ran, X. Yin, “Security-preserving Multi-robot Path Planning for Boolean Specification Tasks Using Labeled Petri Nets”, IEEE Control System Letters, 2023, 7, 2017-2022.
[2022ral] W. Shi, Z. He, W. Tang, W. Liu, Z. Ma. “Path Planning of Multi-robot Systems with Boolean Specifications Based on Simulated Annealing”, IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, 2022, 7(3), 6091-6098.
[2022tsmc] C. Gu, Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Verification of Nonblockingness in Bounded Petri Nets with Min-Max Basis Reachability Graphs”, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics: Systems, 2022, 52(10), 6162-6173.
[2022aut] Z. Ma, Z. He, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Design of Supervisors for Linear Marking Specifications in Labeled Petri Nets”, Automatica, 2022, 136 (February), Article 110031.
[2022tac-b] Z. Ma, M. Zou, J. Zhang, Z. Li. “Design of Optimal Control Sequences in Petri Nets Using Basis Marking Analysis”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2022, 67(7): 3685-3692.
[2022tac-a] Z. Ma, K. Cai. “Optimal Secret Protections in Discrete-Event Systems”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2022, 67(6), 2816-2828.
[2022lcsys-b] Z. Ma, K. Cai. “On Resilient Supervisory Control Against Indefinite Actuator Attacks in Discrete-Event Systems”, IEEE Control Systems Letters, 2022, 6, 2942-2947.
[2022lcsys-a] C. Gu, Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Non-Blockingness Verification of Bounded Petri Nets Using Basis Reachability Graphs”, IEEE Control Systems Letters, 2022, 6, 1220-1225.
[2021nahs] Z. He, Z. Ma. “Performance Safety Enforcement in Stochastic Event Graphs against Boost and Slow Attacks”, Nonlinear Analysis: Hybrid Systems, 2021, 41 (August), Article 101057.
[2021aut-d] Z. Ma, X. Yin, Z. Li. “Verification and Enforcement of Strong Infinite- and k-Step Opacity Using State Recognizers”, Automatica, 2021, 133 (November), Article 109838.
[2021aut-c] Y. Hu, Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Diagnosability Enforcement in Labeled Petri Nets Using Supervisory Control”, Automatica, 2021, 131 (September), Article 109776.
[2021aut-b] Z. Ma, X. Yin, Z. Li. “Marking Diagnosability Verification in Labeled Petri Nets”, Automatica, 2021, 131 (September), Article 109713.
[2021aut-a] Z. He, Z. Ma, W. Tang. “Performance Safety Enforcement in Strongly Connected Timed Event Graphs”, Automatica, 2021, 128 (June), Article 109605.
[2021tac-b] Z. Ma, X. Yin, Z. Li. “Marking Predictability and Prediction in Labeled Petri Nets”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2021, 66(8), 3608-3623.
[2021tac-a] Z. Ma, G. Zhu, Z. Li. “Marking Estimation in Petri Nets Using Hierarchical Basis Reachability Graphs”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2021, 66(2), 810-817.
[2021jas] Z. He, Z. Ma, Z. Li., A. Giua. “Parametric Transformation of Timed Weighted Marked Graphs: Applications in Optimal Resource Allocation”, IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica, 2021, 8(1), 179-188.
[2020tac-c] Y. Hu, Z. Ma, Z. Li. “Design of Supervisors for Active Diagnosis in Discrete Event Systems”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2020, 65(12): 5159-5172.
[2020tac-b] Z. Ma, G. Zhu, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Computation of Admissible Marking Sets in Weighted Synchronization-Free Petri Nets by Dynamic Programming”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2020, 65(6): 2662-2669.
[2020tac-a] Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Marking Estimation in a Class of Time Labeled Petri Nets”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2020, 65(2): 493-506.
[2019deds] Z. He, M. Liu, Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “An Improved Approach for Marking Optimization of Timed Weighted Marked Graphs”, Discrete Event Dynamic Systems, 2019, 29(2): 127-143.
[2017tac-b] Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Characterization of Admissible Marking Sets in Petri Nets with Conflicts and Synchronizations”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2017, 62(3): 1329-1341. ESI Highly Cited Paper.
[2017tac-a] Z. Ma, Y. Tong, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Basis Marking Representation of Petri Net Reachability Spaces and Its Application to the Reachability Problem”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2017, 62(3): 1078-1093. ESI Highly Cited Paper.
[2016aut] Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Petri Net Controllers for Generalized Mutual Exclusion Constraints with Floor Operators”, Automatica, 2016, 74 (December): 238-246.
[2015aut] Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Comments on ‘Maximally Permissive Supervisor Synthesis Based on a New Constraint Transformation Method’ ”, Automatica, 2015, 51 (January): 131-134.
[2015tac] Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Design of Optimal Petri Net Controllers for Disjunctive Generalized Mutual Exclusion Constraints”, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2015, 60(7): 1774-1785. ESI Highly Cited Paper.

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[2026jxdu] Z. Ma, Y. Wang, Y. Yang. “Method for Dynamic Cooperative Defence Strategies Using Petri Nets” (基于Petri网的动态协同联防策略求解方法), Journal of Xidian University 西安电子科技大学学报, 2026, to appear. DOI: 10.19665/j.issn1001-2400.20260309.
[2025jss] H. Jiang, F. Wu, Z. Huang, Z. Ma, C. Dong, X. Ping. “Trajectory Planning and Tracking for Multi-Quadcopter in Dynamic Obstacle Environment” (动态障碍物环境下多四旋翼轨迹规划与跟踪), Journal of System Simulation 系统仿真学报, 2025, 37(8), 2089-2102.
[2022jxdu] M. Zou, Z. Ma. “An Efficient Method to Design Optimal Control Sequences in Petri Nets” (一种Petri网最优控制序列的高效设计方法), Journal of Xidian University 西安电子科技大学学报, 2023, 49(3): 199-205.
[2016jxdu] Z. Ma, Y. Tong. “Supervisor Synthesis in Petri Nets Based on Basis Marking Graphs”, (采用基本标识图的Petri网控制策略), Journal of Xidian University 西安电子科技大学学报, 2016, 43(6): 68-73.
[2015jxdu] Z. Jiang, X. Zhang, Z. Ma. “Capacity Optimization for Power Storage Systems in Smart Grids” (智能电网中电能存储系统的容量优化), Journal of Xidian University 西安电子科技大学学报, 2015, 42(6): 106-112.

Peer-reviewed Conference Papers

[2026ifac-a] Z. Ma, Y. Liu, K. Cai. “Resilient Forcing Supervisor Synthesis Against Indefinite Actuator-Disabling Attacks in Discrete-Event Systems”, 23rd IFAC World Congress (IFAC’26), Busan, Korea, 2026, accepted and to appear.
[2026ifac-b/nahs] Z. Ma, A. Giua, “Enforcing OR-GMECs in Petri Nets by Transition Splitting”, 23rd IFAC World Congress (IFAC’26), Busan, Korea, 2026. A joint submission to NAHS, see [2026nahs].
[2025cdc] Z. Ma, A. Giua, C. Seatzu, “Weakly Harmful Actuator-Enabling Attacks in Discrete-Event Systems with Unknown Supervisors”, 64nd IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC’25), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2025: 287-292.
[2025acc] Z. Ma, A. Giua, C. Seatzu, “Actuator-Enabling Attacks in Discrete-event Systems with Unknown Supervisors”, 2025 American Control Conference (ACC’25), Denver, USA, 2025: 5210-5215.
[2024wodes] B. Cui, Z. Ma, A. Giua, X. Yin, “Better Late than Never: On Epistemic Diagnosability of Discrete Event Systems”, 17th International Workshop on Discrete Event Systems (WODES’24), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2024: 174-179.
[2023cdc/lcsys] W. Shi, Z. He, Z. Ma, N. Ran, X. Yin, “Security-preserving multi-robot path planning for Boolean specification tasks using labeled Petri nets”, 62nd IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC’23), Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, 2023. A joint submission of IEEE L-CSS, see [2023lcsys].
[2023ifac] Z. Ma, K. Cai, “Optimal Secret Protection in Discrete Event Systems with Dynamic Clearance Levels”, 22nd IFAC World Congress (IFAC’23), Yokohama, Japan, 2023: 3579-3584.
[2023ricai] H. Jiang, Z. Huang, Z. Ma, Z. Zhang, J. Wu, X. Ping, “Multi-UAV Trajectory Planning and Tracking Via Improved Informed-RRT* and MPC Algorithms”, 5th International Conference on Robotics, Intelligent Control and Artificial Intelligence (RICAI), Hangzhou, China, 2023: 583-588.
[2022wodes-b] P. Lv, G. Luo, X. Yin, Z. Ma, S. Li, “Optimal Multi-Robot Path Planning for Cyclic Tasks Using Petri Nets”, 16th International Workshop on Discrete Event Systems (WODES’22), Prague, Czechia, 2022: 9-15.
[2022wodes-a] M. Zou, Y. Tong, Z. Ma, “PNBA: A Software for Marking Estimation and Reconfiguration in Petri Nets Using Basis Marking Analysis”, 16th International Workshop on Discrete Event Systems (WODES’22), Prague, Czechia, 2022: 180-187.
[2022icaibd] R. Nan, X. Zhu, D. Wang, Z. Ma, “A Realization of Self-face Diagnosis Algorithm Based on Chinese Medicine Theory”,  5th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Big Data (ICAIBD 2022), Chengdu, China, 2022, 205-210.
[2022acc] J. Jiang, Z. Ma, K. Cai, “Secret Protections in Discrete-Event Systems with Minimum Costs”, 2022 American Control Conference (ACC’22), Atlanta, USA, 2022, 3740-3745.
[2021cdc/lcsys] C. Gu, Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Non-Blockingness Verification of Bounded Petri Nets Using Basis Reachability Graphs”, 60th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC’21), Austin, USA, 2021. A joint submission of IEEE L-CSS, see [2022lcsys-a].
[2020cdc-b] Z. Ma, J. Zhang. “Determining Optimal Control Sequences for Reconfiguration in Petri Nets”, 59th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC’20), Virtual (online), 2020, 4485-4491.
[2020cdc-a] Z. Ma, X. Yin, Z. Li. “Marking Diagnosis in Labeled Petri Nets Using Basis Diagnosers”, 59th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC’20), Virtual (online), 2020, 4479-4484.
[2020ifac] L. Yang, Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Rumor containment by blocking nodes in social networks”, IFAC 2020 World Congress (IFAC’20), Virtual (online), 2020, Oral Presentation.
[2019cdc] C. Gu, Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Verification of Nonblockingness in Bounded Petri Nets with a semi-Structural Approach”, IEEE 58th Conference on Decision and Control (CDC’19), Nice, France, 2019, 6718-6723.
[2019case-b] Y. Hu, Z. Ma, Z. Li. “Active Diagnosis of Petri Nets Using Q-Diagnoser”, IEEE 15th International Conference on Automation Science and Engineering (CASE’19), Vancouver, Canada, 2019, 203-208.
[2019case-a] Z. Ma, Z. He, Z. Li. “Supervisory Control in Partially Observable Petri Nets with Sensor Reduction”, IEEE 15th International Conference on Automation Science and Engineering (CASE’19), Vancouver, Canada, 2019, 189-194.
[2018wodes] Z. Ma, Z. He, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Design of Monitor-based Supervisors in Labelled Petri Nets”, 14th International Workshop on Discrete Event Systems (WODES’18), Sorrento Coast, Italy, 2018: 374-380.
[2017cdc] Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Computation of Admissible Marking Sets in Weighted State Machines by Dynamic Programming”, 56th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC’17), Melbourne, Australia, 2017: 4847-4852.
[2017ifac] Z. Ma, Y. Tong, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Marking Estimation in Labelled Petri Nets by the Representative Marking Graph”, 20th IFAC World Congress, Toulouse, France, 2017: 11175-11181.
[2016acc] Y. Tong, Z. Ma, Z. Li, C. Seatzu, A. Giua, “Verification of Language-Based Opacity in Petri Nets Using Verifier”, 2016 American Control Conference (ACC’16), Boston, USA, 2016: 757-763.
[2016wodes] Y. Tong, Z. Ma, Z. Li, C. Seatzu, A. Giua. “Supervisory Enforcement of Current-State Opacity with Uncomparable Observations”, 13th International Workshop on Discrete Event Systems (WODES’16), Xi’an, China, 2016: 313-318.
[2015cdc] Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “A Method to Verify the Controllability of Language Specifications in Petri Nets Based on Basis Marking Analysis”, 54th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC’15), Osaka, Japan, 2015: 1675-1681.
[2015acc] Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “A Constraint Transformation Technique in Petri Nets with Backward-Conflict-Free Uncontrollable Structures”, 2015 American Control Conference (ACC’15), Chicago, USA, 2015: 365-370.
[2014ifac] Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “An Approach to Determine Controllability of Monolithic Supervisors”, 19th IFAC World Congress, Cape Town, South Africa,  2014: 2429-2434.
[2014wodes] Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “A Constraint Transformation Technique for Petri Nets with Certain Uncontrollable Structures”, 12th International Workshop on Discrete Event Systems (WODES’14), Cachan, France, 2014: 66-72.
[2013etfa] Z. Ma, Z. Li, A. Giua. “Petri Net Controllers for Disjunctive Generalized Mutual Exclusion Constraints”, 18th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation (ETFA’13), Cagliari, Italy, 2013: 1-8.

Last updated: July 27, 2026