Current Projects

Sponsor: KAIST
Collaborators: Prof. Hyung-Soon Park

Sponsor: NRF (한국연구재단)

We conduct fundamental research on high-speed bearingless motors (i.e., magnetically levitated motor systems) for medium to high-power industrial applications. The research topics include 1) design of novel rotor topologies suitable for high-speed rotation, 2) design of multiphase combined windings, 3) computationally efficient electromagnetic analysis and optimization, and 4) development of power electronics and control systems.

Sponsor: KETEP (한국에너지기술평가원)
Collaborators: LG electronics, Chungnam National Univ, Soongsil Univ, Yonsei Univ, Postech, KIER

Active magnetic bearings (AMB) have been successfully deployed in advanced energy conversion systems, such HVAC chillers. Conventional AMBs use discrete sensors (e.g., eddy-current sensors) to measure the rotor's position and implement feedback controls. However, industry partners concern that sensors are prone to failure at elevated temperatures, such as in heat pumps. We are developing a sensorless control method for AMBs to eliminate the need for discrete sensors.

Sponsor: KRIT (국방기술진흥연구소), Daejeon City (대전시)
Collaborators: Chungnam National Univ and Daejeon Technopark

Conventional helicopters use a swashplate to impose cyclic pitching on the rotor blades, thereby controlling the body's attitude and motions. For miniature drones, however, swashplate is not a favorable solution due to its large volume and mechanical complexity. We are developing a new type of magnetic actuators that can replace the function of the swashplate in a reduced volume and mechanical complexity.

Sponsor: KAIST
Collaborators: Prof. Heejin Ahn 

As a part of smart city testbed project for enhancing social acceptance of autonomous driving systems, we develop miniaturized autonomous vehicles (15:1 scale) that can communicate with the centralized controller coordinating multiple vehicles at road intersections.

Sponsor: Samsung Electronics