Publications and Conference Papers
Intellectual Property, Patents and Licensing

X. Wu, Z.Y. Wu, Z.Q. Zhu, “Method for determining the rotational position of a rotor in a permanent magnet synchronous machine” EP18211866.1A.


A. Thomas, Y.X. Li, Zi-Qiang Zhu, “Segmented stator electrical machine” EP3560075.A1.


Z Azar, A Duke, L Huang, Z-Q Zhu, “Electrical machine having a segmented stator or rotor” EP4029115.A1.


NMA Freire, T Wang, Z-Q Zhu, “Voltage control of a dc-link” EP4128520.A1.


R Nilifard, P Taras, Z Azar, Z-Q Zhu, “Cooling of an electric generator” EP4102683.A1.


Y Li, A Thomas, Z.Q. Zhu, “Segmented stator motor” CN110337772-B.


Z. Azar, A. Duke, L Huang, Z.Q. Zhu, “Electrical machine with a segmented stator or rotor” CN114556748-A.


In addition, 11 internal patents have been filed with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy.

Next Destination
Awards and Recognition

Successful PhD viva.

On 18th January 2023 Tingna Wang passed her PhD. Her research was on ‘Robust Sensor Placement Optimisation and System Performance Assessment  using Forward Model-driven Structural Health Monitoring.’ Many, many congratulations Tingna.

Special Invitation from the Royal Academy of Engineering.

On November 2nd 2022, National Engineering Day, Prof Zi-Qiang Zhu was invited to attend a parliamentary breakfast reception and panel discussion about the role of engineering in addressing the short- and longer-term challenges of securing a sustainable energy future. The reception, organised by the Royal Academy of Engineering, took place in The Cholmondeley Room & Terrace in the Houses of Parliament.

Keynote Speech.

At the European Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring in Palermo, 4-7 July 2022, Prof Lizzie Cross gave a keynote speech “Physics-informed Machine Learning for Structural Health Monitoring”.

Successful PhD viva.

On 17th June 2022 Sumeet Thakur passed his PhD. The examiners  complimented his research on ‘Modular multilevel matrix converter for multi-mega-watt medium voltage wind energy conversion system.’ Many congratulations Sumeet.

Successful PhD viva.

On 20th April 2022 Rajesh Kumar passed his PhD. His research was on ‘Transverse Flux Permanent Magnet Machine for Wind Power Applications. Congratulations Rajesh.

Successful PhD viva.

On 6th January 2022 Tianyi Liu passed his PhD viva with minor corrections. The external examiner praised Tianyi’s work on ‘Sensorless Control of Permanent Magnet Wind Power Generators under General Parameter Variations and Asymmetries.’ Congratulations Tianyi.

Successful PhD viva.

On 22nd October 2021 Dileep Kumar Kana Padinharu passed his PhD viva without corrections. The external examiner praised Dileep’s work on ‘Novel Vernier permanent magnet machines for offshore wind power application.’ Congratulations Dileep.

Successful PhD viva.

In October 2021 Jin Xu. The external examiners praised Ximeng’s work on ‘Control of Dual 3-ph Phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators for Wind Energy Systems’ very highly. Congratulations Jin.

Successful PhD viva.

On 19th August 2021 Ximeng Wu passed his PhD viva. The external examiners praised Ximeng’s work on ‘Sensorless Control of PM Wind Power Generators under Starting’ very highly. Congratulations Ximeng.

IEEE Nikola Tesla Award 2021.

This prestigious, international award is presented by the Board of Directors of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the generation or utilisation of electric power. For 2021 the recipient is Professor Zhu who was specifically acknowledged “for contributions to the design, modelling, control and application of AC permanent magnet machines and drives.” Congratulations, Qiang.

Successful PhD viva.

On 14th April 2021 Jaime Maravi-Nieto passed his PhD viva. Peter Tavner, the external examiner, praised Jaime’s work on ‘Multi-physics investigation of direct drive PM wind power generators’. Congratulations Jaime.

The Achenbach Medal, awarded to Dr Elizabeth Cross.

The Achenbach Medal is awarded to recognize an individual (within 10 years of PhD) who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the field of Structural Health Monitoring. It is an international award and nominations from all over the world are encouraged.

Best Research Paper Award.

At the IEEE International Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems.
11th – 14th August 2019, Harbin, China, the prize for best research paper was awarded to  ‘Influence of demagnetization on selecting the optimum slot/pole number combination for 3MW surface mounted permanent magnet Vernier machine’.
Kumar D, Li G-J, Zhu Z-Q, Foster M, Stone D, Griffo A, Odavic M, Clark R, Thomas A.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; Industry Applications Award.

Prof. Zhu has received the most prestigious award from the IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS). The 2019 IEEE IAS Outstanding Achievement Award was awarded to recognise Prof. Zhu’s outstanding contribution in the application of electricity to industry in accordance with the scope of the IEEE Industry Applications Society.

The 9th International Conference on Power Electronics, Machines and Drives, PEMD2018, 17 – 19 April 2018, Liverpool, UK

Prof Zhu received a personal invitation to be a Keynote Speaker at the  conference. Also in attendance were Dr S Xue, Prof D Stone, Prof M Foster, Dr Guang-Jin Li, Dr A Griffo.

Engagement Activities