Dr. Chunyan Lai

ELEC 440/6491 Controlled Electric Drives

ELEC 331  Fundamentals of Electrical Power Engineering

ELEC 275 Principles Of Electrical Engineering

ELEC 439/6471 Hybrid Electric Vehicle Power System Design and Control

Research activities

Electric motor drives and controls
Electrified vehicles
Power electronics
Energy management

Samples of Published and Accepted Peer-Reviewed Journal Papers

1. Y. Zuo, C. Lai and L. V. Iyer, "Improved SingleCurrent Sensor Based PMSM Control under Low Frequency Ratio Using Discrete-TimeAdaptive Luenberger Observer," in IEEE Transactions on IndustrialElectronics, vol. 71, no. 9, pp. 10297-10308, Sept. 2024.

2. Y. Zuo, C. Lai, L. V. Iyer and N. C. Kar,"Enhanced Nonlinear Current State Observer Based Virtual Current Sensorsfor Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drives," in IEEE Journal ofEmerging and Selected Topics in Industrial Electronics, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 628-638,April 2024.

3. Y. Zuo, C. Lai, A. Galkina, M. Grossbichler and L. V.Iyer, "Adaptive Current Observer Design for Single Current Sensor Controlin PMSM Drives," in IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, Dec.2023.

4. Y. Zuo, C. Lai and K. L. V. Iyer, "A Review ofSliding Mode Observer Based Sensorless Control Methods for PMSM Drive," inIEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 38, no. 9, pp. 11352-11367, Sept.2023.

5. S. Hussain, O. Alrumayh, R. P. Menon, C. Lai and U.Eicker, "Novel Incentive-Based Multi-Level Framework for FlexibilityProvision in Smart Grids," in IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 15,no. 2, pp. 1594-1607, March 2024.

6. S. Hussain, M. I. Azim, C. Lai, and U. Eicker, “Multi-stageoptimization for energy management and trading for smart homes consideringoperational constraints of a distribution network,” in Energy and Buildings, Volume301, Dec. 2023, 113722.

7. S. Hussain, M. I. Azim, C. Lai, and U. Eicker, “Newcoordination framework for smart home peer-to-peer trading to reduce impact ondistribution transformer,” in Energy, Volume 284, Dec. 2023, 129297.

8. S. Hussain, C. Lai, and U. Eicker, “Flexibility:Literature review on concepts, modeling, and provision method in smart grid,”in Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks, Volume 35, Sep. 2023, 101113.

9. Y. Lu, K. Huang, B. Wang, C. Lai and G. Feng,"Data-Driven Modeling and Compensation Strategy of PMSM Considering CoreLoss and Saturation," in IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics inPower Electronics, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 1894-1905, April 2024.

10. B. Ding, Y. Lu, K. Huang, G. Feng and C. Lai,"Permanent Magnet Temperature Estimation for PMSMs Using VirtualPosition-Offset Injection," in CES Transactions on Electrical Machines andSystems, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 51-60, March 2024.

11. K. Huang, B. Ding, C. Lai and G. Feng, "FluxLinkage Tracking-Based Permanent Magnet Temperature Hybrid Modeling andEstimation for PMSMs With Data-Driven-Based Core Loss Compensation," inIEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 1410-1421, Jan.2024.

12. B. Ding, K. Huang, C. Lai and G. Feng,"Correlated Inductance Modeling and Estimation of Permanent MagnetSynchronous Machines Considering Magnetic Saturation," in IEEETransactions on Power Electronics, vol. 38, no. 11, pp. 14463-14474, Nov. 2023.

13. K. Huang, W. Peng, C. Lai and G. Feng, "EfficientMaximum Torque Per Ampere (MTPA) Control of Interior PMSM Using Sparse BayesianBased Offline Data-Driven Model With Online Magnet TemperatureCompensation," in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 38, no. 4,pp. 5192-5203, April 2023.

14. K. Huang, B. Ding, C. Lai, G. Feng and N. C. Kar,"PMSM Combination Modeling for Multiparameter Estimation Using BayesianLearning With Inverter Distortion Cancellation and TemperatureCompensation," in IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, vol. 38, no. 2,pp. 1004-1015, June 2023.

15. P. G. Ipoum-Ngome, D. L. Mon-Nzongo, R. C. C. Flesch, J.Tang, T. Jin, M. Wang, and C. Lai, "Multiobjective Model-Free PredictiveControl for Motor Drives and Grid-Connected Applications: Operating WithUnbalanced Multilevel Cascaded H-Bridge Inverters," in IEEE Transactionson Power Electronics, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 3014-3028, March 2023.

PhD position on electric motor drives

The Power Electronics and Energy Research (PEER) Group atConcordia University invites outstanding and self-motivated PhD candidates formultiple research assistant positions on electric motor drives starting September2024 or Winter 2025.

Researchand innovations are still required to develop more efficient, compact and reliableelectric motor drives for electrified vehicles (EVs). In a three to four yearsPhD program, the research assistants are expected to develop novel motor drivetopologies, motor control and inverter modulation techniques to further advancethe electric motor drive technologies for EVs. For example, to develop a new motordrive and its control based on multi-level converter topologies.

PhD position on power electronics converter design and development

We also invite PhD candidates for power electronics converter design and development projects starting September 2024 or Winter 2025. This research project focuses on grid-connected power converters and power supply for dielectric barrier discharge load.

Eligibilities and skills

1. Masters’ degree in electrical engineering o rrelated discipline is required. GPA over 82% is required to receive a full scholarship package from the University.

2. Background knowledge in the related topic such as traction motors, motor control, power electronics and engineering mathematics, is essential.

3. Candidates should be passionate to conduct research in the given topics as assigned by the supervisor.

4. The positions are partially funded by industry partners, so the PhD candidates are required to have good communication and team-working skills as they will be collaborating and reporting to engineers from the industry.

5. Candidates are expected to disseminate their research results in patents and leading international journals and conferences, and also present their research in professional events. 

6. Experience in technical paper writing and publication is an important asset.

7. Experience in software tools such as Matlab/Simulink, PSIM, DSP/FPGA programming, Ansys Electronic Desktop, MotorCAD, RT-LAB, DSpace Target Link will also be an asset.

Please refer to other conditions and terms of Concordia University for graduate student admissions.

More information on application submission

Basic funding package/bursary from the supervisor and Concordia engineeringfaculty will cover the tuition fees and provide a basic living cost at about$1,500 per month. Candidates are also encouraged to apply for additionalmerit-based internal and external awards/scholarships provided by ConcordiaUniversity, and various provincial and federal organizations.

Interested candidates are encouraged to send their applications to Dr. Chunyan Lai at chunyan.lai@concordia.ca with their CV and academic transcripts. Please indicate "Application to PhD Position on x_your name" in the email subject line. Only the most suitable candidate will be contacted. The selected candidate will be funded for their study and living in Canada for a maximum duration of 4 years.