National Science Foundation Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers Program (IUCRC) Planning Phase - The Center for Grid Enhancing Technologies for Future Energy Systems Integration and Transmission (GET-FIT) 

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (#2515138)

Project Summary: To establish a world-class industry–university collaborative research center focused on research, deployment, and workforce development of grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) that enable the future energy systems—integrating large loads, conventional and emerging energy sources, and advanced transmission solutions.

Professional Offshore Wind Energy Certificates (“POWERCERTS”) Program 

Sponsor: New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)

Project Summary: The POWERCERTS Program aims to establish two Graduate Certificates: 1) Wind Power Systems, 2) Wind Power Management. It aims to train a world-class workforce for the New Jersey wind industry that will enhance the industry’s competitiveness compared to the other parts of the world and eventually make it world leading.

ASCENT: From sensors to multiscale digital twin to autonomous operation of resilient electric power grids 

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (#2328241)

Project Summary: A central problem hampering the pace at which one can integrate renewable energy sources into electric power grids is the insufficient understanding, at a systems level, of the dynamic interplay between existing assets and inverter-based resources (IBR) deployed at scale on a transmission grid of substantial size. This project will address this challenge by creating a unified modeling environment for bulk transmission grids that integrates data-driven yet analytical IBR models. 

New Jersey Offshore Wind Training and Research Institute (NJOWTRI): Certificate Training Course, Conference, and Research Facility” 

Sponsor: New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) (Award# 00089196-NJOWTRI) 

Project Summary: By leveraging on the advantageous position of NJIT of being the only research university that has conventional power engineering curriculum and research in New Jersey, this initiative aims to make NJIT as well as New Jersey to be the leader in wind technology on the East Coast of the United States in the long run. 

Three activities are planned in this initiative:

1. Wind Energy Bootcamp

2. Wind Technology Conference and Exhibition

3. Wind Research Facilities

Fault classification of distribution power cables by detecting decaying DC components in fault currents with magnetic sensing: a robust non-invasive technique without precalibration 

Sponsor: Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (#17204617)

Project Summary: This research presents a non-invasive method for classifying faults in distribution power cables using magnetic sensors. The technique detects decaying DC components in fault currents without requiring direct electrical contact or complex sensor pre-calibration. This approach provides a robust, cost-effective monitoring solution for accurate fault identification while maintaining grid infrastructure safety and integrity. 

Electric vehicle (EV) sensor parts: development of an innovative multifunctional high-speed rotation, temperature and current sensor for monitoring critical components in EVs 

Sponsor: Innovation Technology Commission of Hong Kong (#17204617)

Project Summary: The goal of this project is to unprecedentedly develop a combined multifunctional rotation, temperature and current sensor which will enable the condition monitoring of critical components of the energy storage system and traction system in an electric vehicle (EV). This new type of multi-functional sensor will offer the unique advantages of combined sensing capability, compact-size, high sensitivity, low power consumption, work on low voltage supply and signal levels, low-cost, high thermal stability, wide frequency bandwidth, and robustness in harsh environment (high vibration and temperature). 

Low-frequency noise study on junction geometry of magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) sensors for enhancing sensitivity 

Sponsor: Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (#HKU704911P)

Project Summary: This research project investigated how the physical shape and geometry of Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) sensors influence their magnetic stability and low-frequency noise characteristics. By optimizing junction dimensions and configurations, the study aimed to suppress magnetic fluctuations and charge trapping that typically limit sensor performance. Ultimately, the project provided a framework for designing MTJs with a higher signal-to-noise ratio, directly enhancing their sensitivity for advanced applications like biosensing and magnetometry.

Theory, Modeling, and Simulation of Emerging Electronics 

Sponsor: Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (#AoE/P-04/08)

Project Summary: Our focus will be on the modeling and simulation of sub-22nm technology. We aim to develop next generation multi-scale electronic design automation (EDA) tools that combine the atomistic simulation of individual devices, the coarse-grained modeling of integrated circuitries and simulation of electric signals propagation and interference. With these tools, we will study coherent transport through sub-22nm devices, properties of new materials and structures, lithography and new memory devices. 

Operation-state monitoring and energization-status identification of underground electricity cables with magnetoresistive sensors 

Sponsor: Innovation Technology Commission of Hong Kong (#ITS/112/12)

Project Summary: The goal of this project is to develop a novel non-invasive approach for operation-state monitoring and energization-status identification of underground high-voltage electricity cables based on sensing magnetic field outside the cable protective shielding introduced by load current or charging current.  

Operation-state monitoring and energization-status identification of underground electricity cables with magnetoresistive sensors 

Sponsor: Hongkong Electric Company

Project Summary: Accurate detection of underground power cables is of paramount importance to the reliable operation of power transmission networks and the safety of engineering workers. Immense economic loss and serious human casualty are incurred when underground high voltage transmission lines are damaged accidentally by excavation works. Therefore zero-tolerance cable avoidance tools are critical for minimizing potential threats to underground power cables. A very challenging task is to detect live power cables which are not carrying load current. Existing technology cannot provide this capability and some more advanced detection techniques must be developed to solve this problem. The goal of this project is to upgrade the existing underground power cable detection technique and make use of the advanced remote sensing capability of magnetic field sensor arrays to develop a “zero-tolerance technology” which will enable engineers and workers to accurately locate underground live power cables with or without load current.