Background

Nabeel received his BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Newcastle University in 2012. He completed his Ph.D. degree from Newcastle University in 2016 in which he designed several Flux switching modulated pole machine topologies to reduce cogging torque in futuristic electric vehicles.

Nabeel began his career with Jaguar Land Rover where he worked as a Lead Power Electronics Design Engineer in Electrification Department. He now works as a member of the Electrical Power Research Group in Newcastle University and specialises in high speed electrical machine design and FE simulation, linear motors, 3D machine topologies for aerospace and railway engineering and manufacturing process. 

Presently working at EPSRC Future Electrical Machines Manufacturing Hub which combines expertise in electrical machines and manufacturing for the first time. This £28 million investment will enable researchers at the new hub to work with industry on addressing key manufacturing challenges and putting UK manufacturing at the forefront of the electrification revolution. Together with various industrial partners (Hoganas AB, Dyson, Rolls Royce and McLaren), the hub will lead on the design of new electrical machines with improved performance for the aerospace, energy, automotive and premium consumer sectors.

Previously, Nabeel was working on a UK funded project (called Z_LIM) investigating predictable and optimised braking for rail systems applying the concept of a linear induction motor. Instead of using an integrated primary and secondary unit, it separates them using the existing running rails as the secondary, placing the primary component attached to the bogie in the fashion of a eddy current brake. This allows for the generation of forces that are independent of the level of adhesion between wheel and rail, effectively providing a zero wheel-slip effect.

Prior to this, Nabeel worked extensively in the development of drives for use in a variety of aerospace applications. He was particularly involved in the manufacturing of a calorimetric system for testing high efficiency, low mass motors for use in solar powered aircraft applications. These projects involved QinetiQ, Boeing and Airbus, and saw motors designed which achieved new levels of efficiency whilst being designed to operate at altitudes above 50kft and at temperatures below -50degC.

Awards

•       Fully funded PhD by Hoganas AB, Sweden, 2012 - 2016
•       Best Research Project UK: ICCES Bosch, Braga, Portugal, 2013
•       Best student contribution: IBC Conference, 2011

 Certifications

•       Six Sigma
•       TRIZ
•       IBM Rational DOORS
•       DFMEA
•       Failure Mode Avoidance
•       Automotive Hybridization and Electrification 

Current Teaching

EEE1003: Circuit Theory

Publications

• Ahmed N, Atkinson G. A Review of Electrical Machine Topologies and the Techniques to Reduce Cogging Torque. Journal of Electronics and Advanced Electrical Engineering 2020, 1(2), 6-16.
• Ahmed N, Aliyu N, Stannard N, Atkinson G. A simple method of AC Copper Loss Reduction in high speed axial flux permanent magnet machines using lamination steel sheet. In: IEEE International Electric Machines and Drives Conference (IEMDC). 2019, San Diego, CA, USA.
• Martin R, Ahmed N, Kimiabeigi M, Powell JP, Palacin R, Widmer J. Investigation of a Linear Induction machine for a Railway Braking Application. In: 2018 XIII International Conference on Electrical Machines (ICEM). 2018, Alexandroupoli, Greece: IEEE.
• Pompermaier C, Washington J, Sjoberg L, Ahmed N. Reduction of cogging torque in transverse flux machines by stator and rotor pole shaping. In: IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition (ECCE 2016). 2017, Milwaukee, WI, USA: IEEE.
• Ahmed N, Washington JG, Atkinson GJ, Baker NJ, Sjöberg L. Reduction of cogging torque and back EMF harmonics in modulated pole machine by variations in tooth span. In: IEEE International Electric Machines and Drives Conference (IEMDC). 2015, Idaho, USA: IEEE.
• Ahmed N, Washington JG, Atkinson GJ, Baker NJ. Reduction of Cogging Torque and Torque Ripple in Modulated Pole Machines by Geometrical Changes. In: 7th IET International Conference on Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD 2014). 2014, Manchester, UK: IET.
• Ahmed N, Atkinson GJ, Baker NJ, Sjoberg L. Flux Switching Modulated Pole Machine topologies which offer greater mechanical simplicity. In: IEEE International Electric Machines & Drives Conference (IEMDC). 2013, Chicago, IL, USA: IEEE.