Active Magnetic Bearings (AMBs) enable frictionless, wear-free operation, making them ideal for high-speed transportation, turbomachinery, and energy systems. They offer active vibration control, high power density, and extended lifespan. However, a key challenge in AMB technology is the high transient power required for rotor lift-up, impacting energy efficiency and scalability.
This project aims to reduce lift-up power consumption by exploring alternative homopolar magnetic bearing (HMB) topologies and geometries. The student will conduct analytical modelling and finite element simulations to evaluate new designs that enhance lift-up performance, system efficiency, and rotor stability.
By improving power efficiency and dynamic response, this research will contribute to the development of next-generation magnetic bearings for high-speed and energy-efficient applications.
School
Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications
Research Area
Electrical drive systems | Electromagnetic bearings | Electrical engineering | Rotor dynamics
- Research environment
- Expected outcomes
- Supervisory team
- Reference material/links
The student will work in the UNSW Electric Drive Lab, collaborating with researchers in magnetic bearings, motor drives, and power electronics. They will utilize advanced transducers to analyze rotor stability and lift-up characteristics. High-power, high-speed inverters will enable controlled magnetic bearing excitation, while dSPACE MicroLabBox and microprocessor controllers will facilitate real-time control implementation. High-bandwidth measurement devices and digital oscilloscopes will capture transient responses, ensuring precise system evaluation. A three-phase power supply with protection systems will provide a safe testing environment, supporting the development of efficient and high-performance homopolar magnetic bearings.
- Research and perform a comparative analysis of magnet topologies.
- Build a model of the selected electromagnet.
- Perform electromagnetic simulations using multiphysics simulation platforms, e.g., ANSYS.
- Outline findings in a comprehensive report.
- S. Noh, J. H. Park, K.-H. Shin, and H.-w. Cho, "Comparative study on heteropolar/homopolar magnetic bearings for high-speed rotating applications," AIP Advances, vol. 14, no. 3, p. 035031, Mar. 2025.
- S. Debnath, U. Das, P. K. Biswas, B. Aljafari, and S. B. Thanikanti, "Design and Control of Multicoil Active Magnetic Bearing System for High-Speed Application," Energies, vol. 16, no. 11, p. 4447, May 2023.
- T. Lembke, "Design and Analysis of a Novel Low Loss Homopolar Electrodynamic Bearing," Ph.D. dissertation, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, 2005.