Power Electronics, Machine and Control Research Centre


The Power Electronics, Machines, and Drives (PEMC) research team specializes in electrical energy conversion for green transportation, renewable energy systems, and industrial electrical drives. Focusing on innovations in power electronics, electrical machines, and control systems, the team is committed to developing practical and high-performance solutions that support greener grid systems and cleaner, more efficient mobility. The center actively collaborates with global industry and academia to ensure that its technological advances address real-world needs, accelerating the transition toward a low-carbon future.


PEMC

 


Key research themes

Power Electronics

  • Converters, power electronics in smart grid systems and renewable energy systems, etc

Electrical Machine Design

  • High-performance electric machines, magnetic materials, hairpin windings, and thermal management

Motor Drives

  • Transportation electrification systems, ultra-lightweight electric propulsion motors, next-generation generators, accelerated lifetime reliability testing facilities, actuator development, high-power-density power electronics, engine electrification development, and rapid full-system simulation from generator to load

Power Semiconductor Packaging

  • Interconnection and bonding technologies, cooling solutions and heat spreaders, physics of failure and reliability assessment, optimization of weight, volume, and cost, reduction of electromagnetic interference (EMI), enhancement of thermal and electrical performance, high-temperature materials (e.g., SiC, GaN) 

Team members

The Power Electronics, Machines, and Drives (PEMC) research centre consists of  5 Professors, 3 Associate professors, 4 Assistant professors, 5 research fellows and about 40 PhD students.

Leaderships:

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    Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Faculty of Science and Engineering

    Giampaolo Buticchi

    Associate Vice Provost for Graduate School; Chair Professor in Electrical Engineering-Power Electronics

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    Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Faculty of Science and Engineering

    Weiduo Zhao

    Associate Professor in Power Electronics, Machines and Drives

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    Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Faculty of Science and Engineering

    Jing Li

    Professor in Electrical Engineering, Ningbo Key Discipline Coordinator

Core members: 

Professor Chris Gerada, Electrical Machines (UK) | Profile

Professor David Gerada, Electrical and Electronic Engineering (UK) | Profile

Professor He Zhang, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Profile

Dr Ahmed Nasr Abdelwahed, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Profile

Dr Yuli Bao, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Profile

Dr Chunyang Gu​​, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Profile

Dr Hailin Huang, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Profile

Dr Liang Huang, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Profile

Dr Salman Ijaz, Mechanical,Materials and Manufacturing | Profile

Dr Yury Mikhaylov, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Profile

Dr Shuo Wang, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Profile

Dr John Xu​​, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Profile

Dr Jiajun Yang, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Profile

Dr Jianwei Zhang, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Profile


Key research achievements

Funding

  • Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
  • Zhejiang Natural Science Foundation (ZNSF)
  • Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology (NBST)
  • Haitian Group, BestMotion, Yunsheng Group
  • University of Nottingham Ningbo China Education Foundation (UNNC EF)

Research Output (2021-2025)

Published over 450 papers, Granted 30 patents, Secured research funding exceeding 19.4 million RMB

Advanced Motor Design

  • National Key R&D Program of China - "Reduction of Aircraft Taxiing Emissions through Energy Recovery and Storage"

Ferrite-Assisted Synchronous Reluctance Motor Drives and Advanced Control

  • Ferrite-Assisted Synchronous Reluctance Motor Drive and Advanced Control Technology

Power-Electronized Power Systems

  • Power Electronics for Smart Grid Technologies 
Facilities and equipment

 

PEMC facilities 1
PEMC facilities 2
PEMC facilities 3

 

Research partners

 

PEMC partners

 

Contact us

 

Weiduo Zhao

E. Weiduo.Zhao@nottingham.edu.cn
T. +86 (0)574 8818 8427 (Ext 6230)