We are pleased to share that the project “Highly integrated wireless ultrasonic motor system for fully enclosed environments”, led by Prof. Chau Kwok-tong, was awarded the Grand Prize and a Gold Medal at the 4th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong organized by The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association on 5-6 December 2024! Dr Liu Wei also won a Silver Medal for his project “High-efficiency GaN converter module for wireless power transfer facilities” in this exhibition.
The wireless ultrasonic motor system designed by Prof. Chau’s research team features a single integrated magnetic coupler connected to the motor, which can control motor systems in fully enclosed environments without power cables, batteries and controllers. The system is adaptable to various applications, facilitating seamless integration. Its streamlines are designed by operating without additional controllers or sensors, which is ideal for environments where traditional cabling is impractical, such as in robotic arms, enhancing mobility and flexibility. In enclosed environments like underground pipelines or underwater propellers, it avoids complications from perforated installation cables, preventing gas or liquid leaks. This innovation brings new solutions for advanced applications in robotics and industrial automation.
Dr Liu’s team has integrated gallium nitride (GaN) chips into the design of high-performance power converters with low gate driver stray inductance and low switching loss. An insulated metal substrate printed circuit board design is utilised to lower the thermal resistance while ensuring electrical isolation. The gate drive has small ringing and voltage overshoot, which ensures the realisation of smooth switching characteristics of the GaN switches. Compared with other converters, the new GaN high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) converter has higher efficiency, power density and switching frequency. Compared with GaN converters at the same power level, this new converter has better drive performance and incurs lower costs to promote commercialisation. It can be applied in various wireless power transfer facilities, including wireless charging for electric vehicles among others.
Please click the following link for more details about the awards:
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/media/media-releases/2024/1207_polyu-shines-at-4th-asia-exhibition-of-innovations-and-inventions-hong-kong/