PC Research Degree Profiles
Udaya Nuwantha Fernando
PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
"I’m thrilled with the experiences gained so far while reading for a PhD in the University of Manchester. I opted for the University of Manchester due to its excellent track record in world-class research, and the strong ties it has developed with the industry. Students benefit from the highly reputed academic staff of the University and the exemplary research supervision provided."
Udaya Nuwantha Fernando, PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Ryan O'Donell
PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
"I have recently completed a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at the University of Manchester, within the Power Conversion (PC) group. The industrial links, world-renowned technical expertise, hard-work and dedication of everyone involved with post-graduate research, ensured my education and experience was second to none. In addition to the technical knowledge I have gained, the practical experience and development of my communication skills has served me well in my subsequent career. The exposure to international conferences, the efforts of the university careers team, and the close inter-departmental cooperation ensured that my experience was very well rounded."
Ryan O'Donell, PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Sunday Ekpo
PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
"Career fulfilment stems from studying what your ingrained potential allows at the right place under the tutelage of the right professionals. As a researcher in modern spacecraft design, the school of Electrical & Electronic Engineering offers me the needed state-of-the-art facilities and world-class professionals. Furthermore, the regular cutting-edge seminars and workshops by contemporary technologies experts from around the globe make the school a sure gateway to commerce and industry. Hence, the school produces enterprising and hard-chased/marketable students."
Chunjiang Jia
PhD in Power Conversion
"The primary objective is to develop a field current control converter for the motor operating at liquid air temperatures (~57K). The integration of cryo-cooled power electronics into the superconducting machine will offer high torque and power densities. A system comprising a superconducting electrical controlled by low temperature power electronics has both size and efficiency advantages over conventional systems. The improved efficiency is beneficial for both high (multi-MW) and low power marine propulsion and also has potential for use in off-shore wind-energy electrical generators."
Frank Bryan
PhD in Power Conversion
"My current project involves close links with my sponsoring company HILTech Developments Ltd. The focus of the research is on power electronic devices and modules for use in electric vehicles. The control of DC-DC converters in fuel cell powered traction systems is the main area of research along with the control of energy flows within the traction system."
Gerardo Calderon-Lopez
PhD in Power Conversion
"During my project, I designed, built and modelled a high frequency, 10-kW dual interleaved boost converter for a small electric vehicle. The converter is able to work under a wide range of loads, input and output voltages, whilst maintaining the stability."
R.T. Naayagi
PhD in Power Conversion
"I am currently working with the Manchester/Rolls Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) on the Intelligent Electrical Power Network Evaluation Facility (IEPNEF). I am looking at High Voltage High Current DC Circuit Breakers/Solid State Power Controllers for More-Electric Aerospace Electrical Power Systems."
Paul Tuohy
PhD in Power Conversion
"I am currently working on electric energy storage and its management for the UAV demonstrator facility, set up by Rolls-Royce plc in the Manchester University Technology Centre (UTC). I am developing efficient control of bi-directional DC-DC converters for aircraft electric energy storage systems."
Prabath Janaka Binduhewa
PhD in Power Conversion
"My research project is ‘UK-Microgrids’. I am developing a ‘Standard microsource interface’ for a typical MicroGrid which would improve the plug and play functionality."
Shaofan Qi
PhD in Power Conversion
"I am working on the energy harvesting project using piezoelectric materials, with a particular focus on the device power output enhancement."
Xinyun (Robbie) Liu
PhD in Power Conversion
"I am currently working on the EU More Open Electric Techniques project. My main research areas are modelling and validating PMSM drive and DC distribution system and investigating the design of input filter and stabilising control strategy for the system in a More Electric Aircraft (MEA)."
Tom Clark
PhD in Power Conversion
"I am currently working with the Manchester/Rolls Royce University Training Centre (UTC) within the Intelligent Electrical Power Network Evaluation Facility (IEPNEF). I am looking at load interaction and stability of loads and sources present on a DC power network of a More Electric Aircraft (MEA)."
Dr. Yali Feng
PhD in Power Conversion
"Currently I am working on a MANtIS (Managing Active Network through Intelligent Systems) project proposed by DTI. As part of this project, my research work is to design superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) for high voltage system. Meanwhile I have been working on the design of the induction motor with superconducting wire and aluminium wire at low working temperature."
Zhi Wei Sim
PhD in Power Conversion
"My research interest is in energy harvesting for embedded sensor networks deployed in the natural environment, focusing on the use of radio frequency (RF) and solar energy as energy sources."