Research Topic: Improved Power Electronic Reactive Power Compensator for the Future Transmission Lines

Project summary and objective

Reactive power is a key element in maintaining voltage and synchronous stability and ensuring proper power system performance. Moreover, reactive power problems were a significant factor in some recent major blackouts (e.g. Canada-US and Sweden blackouts in 2003).

The contribution of the proposed project supports the steps towards prevention of voltage collapse and power instability through research of a novel, more effective Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) system, based on a topology, which is still in its infancy and improved switching control through the application of the latest multilevel SHE-PWM method. In this project, the SHE-PWM multilevel converter will be considered as a building block for the STATCOM system.
 
The prime objective of the research work is to design an efficient power electronic converter based STATCOM for the future transmission line systems through the use of the most advanced converter strategies based on the multilevel converter technology operated with the efficient selective harmonic elimination pulse-width modulation (SHE-PWM) strategy.

The Research Assistant (RA) will carry out research in the above area under the guidance of the supervisor. RAs are expected to register for a PhD degree at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus. The RA will also receive a monthly stipend of RM 1,500 and are expected to assist academic staff with teaching, research and administration duties up to a maximum total commitment of 200 hours per academic year.

If you are academically a strong candidate with a first or upper second class honours degree and/or postgraduate qualification in Electrical Engineering with a sound knowledge and/or experience in the area of power engineering and power electronics please forward your resume to:

Dr. Mohamed Dahidah

Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering,
The University of Nottingham, Malaysia Campus,
Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih,
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Tel:  +60 3 8924 8359
Email: mohamed.dahidah@nottingham.edu.my

Research Topic: Development, Modeling, and Intelligent Control of a High Degree-of-Freedom Robot Arm

Applicants are invited for a Research Assistant position based within the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering. The position is for three years (1 year probation in the first instance) and will be linked to the undertaking of an MPhil/PhD degree.

The successful candidate will be part of a mechanical-electrical team to develop a high degree-of­freedom robotic arm prototype. Besides carrying out the task of designing electrical/electronic drivers and interfacing circuits, the research assistant is expected to help in developing intelligent controllers that can handle this type of complex dynamic nonlinear systems and implement them in real-time. The work also incorporates developing inverse kinematics and motion planning algorithms for the proposed robotic arm prototype.

The successful candidate would be expected to assist academic staff with teaching duties and laboratory demonstration. Candidates are also expected to meet the following requirements:

• 1st or upper 2nd class Bachelor (B.Eng/B.Sc) or Masters (M.Eng/M.Sc) degree in Electrical/Electronics or Mechatronics Engineering.
• Knowledge in robotics and control systems is an advantage.
• Experience in electronics design and embedded programming is an advantage.
• Possess a good command of English, both spoken and written.
• Possess good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Other necessary attributes include the ability to work hard and independently, be a good team player and be proactive and resourceful.

Applications with up-to-date curriculum vitae, cover letter, and transcripts should be sent to Dr. Haider Abbas, E-mail: Haider.Abbas@nottingham.edu.my.

Informal enquiries can also be addressed to the same e-mail address above.