Professor Zi-Qiang Zhu is a globally recognized authority in electrical machine systems with an illustrious career spanning over three decades at the University of Sheffield. He currently holds the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering/Siemens Research Chair position, appointed in 2014, and serves as Head of the Electrical Machines and Drives Research Group, a leadership role he has maintained since 2008. Professor Zhu earned his Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Science degrees from Zhejiang University in China in 1981 and 1984 respectively, before completing his PhD at the University of Sheffield in 1991. He joined the University of Sheffield in 1988 and progressed to full professorship in 2000, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the institution's electrical engineering research community through sustained scholarly excellence.
Professor Zhu's pioneering research has fundamentally advanced the field of electrical machine design and control, with particular expertise in high torque and power density permanent magnet machines that have transformed multiple industries. His extensive body of work over more than thirty five years encompasses innovative topologies including Halbach arrays, fractional slot configurations, switched flux machines, and magnetically geared systems that have significantly enhanced efficiency and performance across diverse applications. He has made seminal contributions to analytical and numerical modeling techniques for permanent magnet machines as well as novel control strategies including sensorless operation, vector control, and direct torque methods that have become industry standards. These advancements have enabled critical progress in electric vehicle propulsion systems, domestic appliance efficiency, wind power generation, and more electric aircraft technologies, demonstrating the practical impact of his theoretical innovations on global electrification efforts.
As a triple Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, IEEE, and IET, Professor Zhu has shaped the global trajectory of electrical machine research through his extensive scholarly contributions and leadership in the field. His research group at Sheffield has produced numerous highly cited publications in top-tier journals including IEEE Transactions, establishing foundational knowledge that continues to guide researchers and engineers worldwide. Professor Zhu maintains strong industry partnerships with major organizations including Siemens Gamesa that ensure his research remains relevant to evolving technological demands while training the next generation of electrical engineers who carry forward his legacy of innovation. His ongoing work continues to push the boundaries of electrical machine technology, addressing emerging challenges in sustainable energy conversion and electrification across multiple transportation and industrial sectors with increasing urgency in the climate change era.
