The University of Nottingham is to set up a new technology centre in collaboration with a leading Chinese technology firm, to develop the next generation of industrial motor drive systems.
Shen Zhen Nowforever Technology (SNF) is a technology companies in power converters and servo drive systems in China. After a signing ceremony in Beijing in April, the company will establish a technology centre at the University’s UK campus, pledging initial funding of around £1.2m over the next five years.
The Nowforever University Technology Centre (NUTC) will carry out research to develop the next generation of electrical machines and their drive systems for industry applications.
In recent years, research into industrial electrical machine drive systems has seen rapid development driven by interest in high performance applications and high efficiency energy conversion requirements to sustain a low carbon economy.
The NUTC will be hosted by The University of Nottingham’s Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) research group. With over 120 active researchers, it is one of the largest groups in the field and also hosts the hub of the EPSRC National Centre for Power Electronics.
The Centre will be led by the University’s Dr He Zhang, who will coordinate and oversee the research activities and explore potential future opportunities. Research in the Centre will focus on novel electrical machines, their drive technologies, new thermal management solutions and advanced materials. The NUTC will pull together expertise from across the University’s Faculty of Engineering, including experts in electrical machine design, electrical drive technology, advanced control power electronics, and heat transfer. The Centre will also support professional training and postgraduate student programmes.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Beijing, Tony Xu, general manager, SNF: “We are deeply impressed with the world-leading technology capabilities, collaborative spirit and professional efficiency of the University. In particular, I want to thank the PEMC Group for your dedication and passion in innovation. As a private company with a vision and mission located in South China, the most advanced market economic area in China, Nowforever understands China’s electric motor market and believes the partnership with Nottingham will enhance its competitiveness. We hope our collaboration is long term with the University providing us with technical and talent development support to us.”
Professor David Greenaway, vice chancellor, University of Nottingham said: “We’re absolutely delighted to reach this point with Nowforever. Colleagues are excited by this extension to the University’s research centres and we are thrilled that you are a partner on this scale.”
