List of IC@N Research Projects and Supervisors

Energy Research Institute @ NTU

Name of Research Project Description
Supervisor
Lower dimensional perovskites based on tailor-made cations for
optoelectronics

Hybrid organolead halide perovskites have emerged as a promising

material for non-silicon based thin-film photovoltaic technology and
recently reached solar-to-electrical power conversion efficiency above
22%. However, there are serious hurdles remaining for the widespread
use of perovskite solar cells , for example, the sensitivity of perovskite
materials to moisture, which leads to its rapid degradation and hence a
short device lifetime. One of the methods to improve stability is the
development of lower-dimensionality layered perovskites derived from
their 3D counterparts by increasing the distance between the
interconnected inorganic sheets with organic cations. Such multifunctional
organic cations can enable hydrogen or halogen bonding between the
organic cation and inorganic framework to reduce the band gap while
increasing the stability and charge carrier mobility. This project will focus
on the design of new cations to establish strong bonding with inorganic
Professor Subodh lattices (H/halogen bonding) and higher structural robustness. In-depth
Mhaisalkar studies will also be undertaken to understand the relationship between
subodh@ntu.edu.sg materials composition, structure, and properties to facilitate the device
integration based on these materials to deliver transparent perovskite
solar cells with high efficiency and long term stability.

Perovskite nanostructures for light emitting devices

Organic-inorganic hybrid halide perovskite materials have already

revolutionized solar cell applications. The certified power conversion
efficiency of solar cells based on CH3NH3PbI3 and derivatives have
attained a record value of over 22% within a short period. Concurrently,
the potential for perovskites to transform the field of light emission has
also been demonstrated. The focus is now expanding to encompass the
fabrication of perovskite nanoparticles (NPs) to achieve color tunability
and enhanced photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY). This project aims
the morphology controlled synthesis of perovskite nanoparticles (NPs)
with enhanced quantum yields by confining charge carriers, passivating
non-radiative recombination sites and improving processability via careful
crystal engineering for the cost effective development of perovskite based
light emitting materials suitable for large area processing.
 Design and Development of 10 MW Medium-frequency transformer
based resonant power conversion

Medium frequency high power transformers has become a promising

field of research along with their functions of galvanic isolation, and
voltage transformation in all high power converters typically used in
traction power systems, offshore wind plant power converters, and
solid state transformer based distribution system grids. With cost and
space savings along with high efficiency and thermal management
being critical technical challenges to be addressed on the system level,
the need to develop a Monolithic High Power Medium Frequency
Transformer for 10MW rated converter and experimental validation of
the design methods assumes significant importance which need to be
demonstrated at acceptable power levels before scale up. Equally
important is to computerize the design, in order to analyze multiple
combinations of layouts and geometry, to optimize the medium
frequency related winding losses and core losses and design a robust
insulation and thermal packaging in order to have a capable design to
withstand harsh environments such as offshore wind generation.
Detailed experimental testing and followed up with FEM analysis is
essential to solve the multi-dimensional electromagnetics and thermal
issues and ensure the overall system is efficient and reliable to handle
such high voltage and high power. The project envisages the above
technical challenges and the developed tool endeavors to analytically
Dr Anshuman
solve the complex equations in 1D with parallel analysis using 2D and
Tripathi
3D FEM analysis. The electric field behavior analysis is ongoing to verify
ANTRI@ntu.edu.sg
the voltage distribution across the various parasitic capacitances and
magnetic field behavior analysis of the designed transformer to ensure
operation of core below saturation level and also check the leakage
inductances are as per and within desired specifications. A
Plecs/Matlab based simulation circuit for DC-DC Series resonant
converter circuit is modelled to simulate the high power medium
frequency transformer performance in circuit operation of resonant
converter and check the electromagnetic response under high rising
square wave voltages with high harmonic content

On demand Mobility solution for Connected Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles could serve as new mobility modes to offer

customized and demand-responsive transport services to solve the
first and last mile problems. To cater to the projected high volume,
high frequency transport requirements in a given space and both by
public segment as well as by the logistics industry, it is apparent that
existing modes of transport will not be feasible. One way to resolve
such rapidly changing mobility system is to introduce varying stages of
autonomy in various modes of transport. NTU's forefront research is to
introduce autonomous transportation model related to both public
transport and industry. The primary focus is to methodically design,
develop and test an integrated set of sensors, controllers, and
software to develop a robotics kit that will be used to convert existing
vehicles to an autonomous vehicle. The kit provides all features
 currently provided in AVs through an external system mounted and
integrated into the vehicle with a complete set of sensors sending all
data required by the autonomous driving system. Trajectory mapping,
positioning, and localization, vehicle controls, powertrain to
communication links and HMI services are the key features embedded
in the modular kit. Such competence of integrating multiple sensors
with a power train will enable to retrofit a given set of sensors on an
existing vehicle platform to convert a level-0 vehicle-based transport
solution to a Level-V vehicle-based solution.

In addition, a cloud based supervision software is designed to integrate

and simplify resource management and improve cost-effectiveness,
while enhancing service quality and productivity of the entire
autonomous fleet operation. Predictive analytics and data visualization
tool in the cloud control center enables location based services for
route optimization and for requesting the vehicle on demand. Other
features like locating the parking lot, commanding the vehicles for new
operations and self-auto charging, route scheduling form the critical
aspects of design and validation. The infrastructure to control, monitor
and guide the entire fleet of self-driving electric vehicles and
development guidelines and a risk mitigation strategy to be used in the
development of autonomous are being addressed in the R&D focus.

Dr Koh Liang Mong Application of Energy Storage System in Photovoltaic System

ELMKOH@Ntu.Edu.Sg
Solar Power Generation Offer Carbon Dioxide Neutral Electricity But
Also Present Some Integration Difficulties For Energy System Operators
And Planners Due To Intermittent Power Output. To Smooth Out The
Intermittency Of Solar Energy Production, Electrical Energy Storage
Technology Will Become Necessary. In Order To Increase The Solar
Energy Penetration With Appropriate Reliability, Energy Storage
Systems Should Be Introduced That Could Technically And
Economically Be Used In Association With Solar Photovoltaic Energy.
Photovoltaic Systems Combined With Megawatt Energy Storage
System Can Play A Role In Achieving More Economical Operation Of
The Electric Utility. In This Project, Students Will Have To Check, How
Energy Storage System Can Prevent The Intermittency Of Solar PV
System. Students Will Also Have To Work On Energy Storage System To
Check That How Can It Help In Terms Of Market Interactions. Student
Will Have To Work With ETAP Or Equivalent Power Engineering
Software.

Smart Pollution monitoring sensor system

In the modern world, diesel vehicles have become an integral part of

human life for easy and quick transportation. But diesel-powered
Dr Narasimalu Srikanth
vehicles account for nearly half of all nitrogen oxides (NOx) and more
nsrikanth@ntu.edu.sg
than half of all particulate matter (PM) emissions in Singapore. NOx
and Particulate matter may irritate eyes, nose, throat, and lungs,
contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses and even
premature death. Hence, it is essential to monitor the emissions of
 NOx and PM emissions of various diesel vehicles regularly in order to
perform vehicle maintenance or replacement of vehicles in case of
worst case. Thus, the main objective of this project is to design a
compact sensor system and identify suitable algorithms based on
machine learning methodology for real-time monitoring & data
analytics to identify the right metrics of NOx and PM emissions.

Aerofoil studies towards Tidal In-stream energy system

Marine Renewable Energy has been developing at an accelerating

pace. Although the Tidal In-Stream Energy (TISE) Industry has reached
pre-commercial stages and will soon be deployed in commercial scales,
there is need for innovation especially if the Levelised Cost of Energy
(LCOE) is to be competitive with conventional electrical power
generation from fossil fuels. While much of high energy locations,
associated with high speed tidal flows, such as Europe, USA, Canada,
Northern Asia are easily reached and addressed, the tropical markets
(such as India, Southeast Asia) for lower-tidal-velocity distributed
generation, particularly for remote-island applications are not met. In
this project focus will be in the selection of nature inspired aerofoils
towards in-stream tidal turbine system. The project will utilize
Computational fluid dynamics tools to study the aerofoil's lift and drag
behavior and compare against experimental characterization results
towards adopting into an actual tidal energy blade for maximum
energy energy harvest in a low flow tidal flow condition.

Seawater Based Cooling of Data Centers

Data centres are centralized locations where computing and

networking equipment is concentrated for the purpose of collecting,
storing, processing, distributing or allowing access to large amounts of
data from industries. Data centres consume high levels of energy to
power the IT equipment contained within them, and extract the heat
they produce. This project will focus to evaluate the use of seawater
based heat exchangers by allowing Data centres to operate in a
shallow water setting in a coastal site and ensure maximum reliability
in thermal management to increase the energy efficiency and lowering
the PUE requirements. In order to achieve it, the project task will focus
to identify the thermal management and heat exchanger physics under
seawater cooling condition and evaluate the effects of environmental
variables such as the occurrence of biofouling and corrosion on the
thermal management mechanism of the heat exchanger and focus on
the methods to ensure the consistency of the heat exchanger
performance.

Dr Kong Xin Next Generation Gallium nitride (GaN) based power electronics
xin.kong@ntu.edu.sg
Gallium nitride (GaN) is an emerging semiconductor technology with
superior characteristics for next generation power electronics. This
includes the ability to operate at higher switching frequency, lower
losses, smaller footprint, and others.
 The candidate will contribute towards the development of a high
efficiency GaN power converter for Energy Storage System
applications. In this project, the student will be involved in three
areas: the high frequency magnetic component design using multi-
physics modelling and simulation tools, thermal management of the
power circuit and design verifications through Printed Circuit Board
(PCB) layout and testing.

Alex Chong Standards Based Procedures for Testing and Certification of

alex.chong@ntu.edu.sg Stationary Electrical Energy Storage (EES) Systems

Electrical Energy Storage (EES) systems have become increasingly

important to enable greater renewables penetration and grid stability.
Multiple standards exist for certification of EES systems for stationary
deployments for grid applications. They include IEC 62933 series, IEC
62485 series, IEC 62619, UL 1973, UL 9540, and TR 77. The standards
broadly cover various aspects such as planning requirements, system
performance or functionality and safety considerations and features.

The candidate will be working at the Experimental Power Grid Centre

(EPGC), a MW-scale grid facility based in Jurong Island, Singapore. A
detailed comparison of the test clauses and mapping of their
similarities and differences is required to identify how these standards
overlap and areas where they are complementary. Subsequently, the
detailed test methods or procedures can be proposed and optimized
to satisfy the requirements of each test clause.

Prasanna IV Mutli-microgrid modelling and studies

prasannaiv@ntu.edu.sg
With increasing deployment of distributed energy resources and
emergence of microgrids in the power systems, the topics surrounding
multi-microgrids modelling is becoming important.
The candidate will be working on the Renewable Energy Integration
Demonstrator- Singapore (REIDS) testbed on Pulau Semakau. REIDS is
a multi-microgrid setup involving MNCs such as Engie, EDF and Rolls-
Royce. Potential R&D topics include the development of next-gen grid
management platform that enables multi-microgrids interoperability,
cyber-security, dynamic system optimization via analytics and
computational intelligence and energy exchange and trading.