Academic CV

Wentao Zhang · Research Assistant, University of Nottingham
Email · Download CV (PDF) · Google Scholar · ORCID

Research

Electrical machines for electrified transport; electromagnetic, thermal and structural modelling; physics-informed AI; digital twins; high-speed traction machine design and experimental validation.

Appointment

2025–present · University of Nottingham
Research Assistant, Power Electronics and Machines Centre (PEMC). Research in the EPSRC AIMD programme on magnet-free synchronous machines, an in-house Python finite element package, and neural surrogates for machine design.

Education

  • 2021–2025 · Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Southeast University. Thesis: Multi-physics Analysis and Design of Hairpin Winding PM Traction Machines in Electric Vehicles.
  • 2018–2021 · M.Eng., Electrical Engineering, Southeast University. Thesis: Analysis and Design of High-Performance Wound-Excited Magnetic Field Modulation-based Brushless Machines.
  • 2014–2018 · B.Eng., Electrical Engineering, Southeast University.

Research and engineering achievements

  • 23 journal papers, including 19 in IEEE Transactions and 11 as first author; 18 conference papers and 9 patents. Full publication list.
  • Technical lead for two high-speed EV traction machines developed with Inovance, from specification and drawing release through manufacture to AVL dynamometer validation.
  • 20,000 rpm traction machine: measured 270 kW, 380 Nm, 7.87 kW/kg and 97.4% peak efficiency.
  • Developed an in-house Python finite element package for electromagnetic, structural-modal and mechanical-stress analysis.
  • Developed a magnetic field surrogate achieving more than 94% less computation time than FEA, with R² = 0.9996 for torque and 0.9730 for iron loss on unseen designs.
  • Developed thermal networks validated against thermocouple measurements and rotor models checked against a 22,500 rpm overspeed test.

Awards and honours

  • 2025 · Machines Best PhD Thesis Award.
  • 2025 · 1st Prize, IEEE TEC Electric Vehicle Design Competition.
  • 2025 · 2nd Prize Paper Award, IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification. Award announcement.
  • 2024 · 2nd Prize, 11th Energy Equipment Innovative Design Competition for China Postgraduate.
  • 2023 · 1st Prize, IEEE IAS CMD Thesis Contest.
  • 2023 · CIEEC Best Paper Award.
  • 2022 · Outstanding Master Degree Thesis Award, Jiangsu Province.

Teaching and professional service

  • Teaching assistant for the postgraduate course Integrated Practice of Electrical Machine Systems, Southeast University.
  • Supported junior Ph.D. and M.Eng. researchers in machine modelling, finite element analysis, thermal networks and PWM-loss coupling.
  • Referee for IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Energy Conversion and Transportation Electrification.
  • Co-organiser of the ICEM 2026 special session Next-Generation Electrified Transport: Advances in Electric Drive Systems.

Methods and tools

Python, PyTorch, MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++; ANSYS Maxwell, JMAG, Motor-CAD and ANSYS Mechanical; AVL dynamometer testing, efficiency-map characterisation, thermocouple instrumentation, manufacturing drawing and tolerance release.