World-leading EV motor expert joins Hong Kong PolyU after 38 years in Britain
Permanent magnets scientist Zhu Ziqiang is continuing his globally renowned research in his new role
In his new role as chair professor of electrical machines and control systems, Zhu will continue his long-standing work on high-efficiency permanent magnet motors, according to his faculty page on the PolyU website.
These motors, which use built-in magnets to generate motion, are a core technology behind electric cars, high-speed trains, wind turbines, robots and the latest household appliances.
Zhu’s research has been widely adopted by industry, with collaborations spanning international companies like Siemens, Toyota, Rolls-Royce and Midea.
Zhu, who at the time was director of Midea’s motor research centre in Shanghai, said that while China dominated the global supply of rare earth metals used in permanent-magnet motors, its electric vehicle makers were lagging in core motor innovation.