City University of Hong Kong | Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Ben Zhang

张犇博士 · 香港城市大学

Postdoctoral Fellow in Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong
Member, State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter Waves

Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on wireless power transfer (WPT) and power electronics technologies for autonomous systems and electric transportation. His work emphasizes high-power-density and misalignment-tolerant magnetic couplers, multiphysics modeling and optimization, and high-efficiency, high-stability control. He has led and participated in a range of national, military, and industry-funded research projects involving wireless power transfer, autonomous energy replenishment, and underwater charging systems.

Dr. Zhang has received several international academic and innovation awards, including the Gold Medal at the 2025 International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, the Best Paper Awards at ICWPT 2025 and IEEE CIEEC 2026, and the 2025 IET YPEC Champion Award. He currently serves as an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Circuit Theory and Applications and Wireless Power Transfer, and as a Guest Editor of Electronics. He has also served as a Session Chair for multiple international conferences in wireless power transfer, electrical engineering, and energy systems.

张犇，香港城市大学电机工程系博士后研究员、太赫兹及毫米波全国重点实验室成员，主要从事面向自主无人系统与电动交通应用的无线电能传输及电力电子技术研究。主持或参与国家重点研发计划、军队重点项目及香港研究资助局合作研究基金等科研项目10余项，发表SCI/EI论文40余篇，获授权发明专利及软件著作权10余项。曾获日内瓦国际发明展金奖、无线电能传输国际会议最佳论文奖、IEEE国际电气与能源大会最佳论文奖及IET青年工程师创新展示与竞赛冠军等国际学术与科技创新荣誉20余项。现任《International Journal of Circuit Theory and Applications》和《Wireless Power Transfer》副主编、《Electronics》客座编辑、中国电源学会第九届磁技术专业委员会委员，并多次担任无线电能传输、电气工程及能源系统领域国际会议分会主席和技术委员会委员。

Academic Appointments

Mar. 2025 - Present

Postdoctoral Fellow

Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

May 2024 - Feb. 2025

Research Assistant

Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

Education Background

May 2023 - Apr. 2024

Visiting Ph.D. Student

Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong

Sep. 2020 - Feb. 2025

Ph.D. Student

Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics, Harbin Engineering University

Research Direction

wireless power transfer (WPT) and power electronics technologies for autonomous systems and electric transportation

Flexible Magnetic Couplers

Design of lightweight, reconfigurable, and posture-tolerant magnetic coupling structures for AUV and UAV wireless charging.

Multiphysics Optimization

Closed-loop electromagnetic, thermal, and mechanical co-design for compact high-power-density WPT systems.

Efficient Control

High-efficiency, high-stability control strategies for contactless energy replenishment in complex operating environments.

Projects

Research projects

Principal Investigator

Underwater WPT Detuning and Control

National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Young Scientists Fund (Category C): “Detuning Evolution Mechanisms and Limited-Sensing Control Methods for Wireless Power Transfer in Underwater Vehicles.”

Leading research on detuning mechanisms and robust control of underwater wireless power transfer systems under complex marine environments. The project focuses on parameter drift, stability-boundary degradation, and limited-sensing state regulation caused by medium loss, positional variation, and electromagnetic–thermal coupling, providing theoretical support for reliable autonomous underwater power supply.

Principal Investigator

Wireless Charging for UAVs

Shenzhen Kunpeng Young Innovation Program: “Low-Altitude Economy as a New Engine: High-Efficiency and Lightweight Wireless Charging System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.”

Developed adaptive WPT technologies based on flexible magnetic couplers, enabling high-efficiency and high-misalignment-tolerant contactless charging under complex operational environments.

Principal Investigator

AUV Energy Replenishment

General Research Project, Nantong Institute of Marine Technology, Southeast University: “Key Technologies and Applications of Wireless Energy Replenishment for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Powered by Marine Renewable Energy.”

Led research on AUV wireless energy replenishment in complex marine environments, focusing on fluctuating renewable-energy input, high-loss seawater media, and posture disturbances. Proposed a coordinated marine renewable energy–wireless energy replenishment–underwater equipment architecture integrating efficient magnetic coupling, multiphysics modeling, and robust control.

Key Participant (Ranked 2nd)

Marine Electromagnetic Field Transmission

National Key R&D Program of China: “Multimodal Axial-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Transmission Mechanisms and Intelligent Computational Methods in Layered Nonlinear Marine Media.”

Responsible for investigating multimodal excitation and propagation mechanisms of electromagnetic fields in layered and nonlinear marine media and developing efficient intelligent computational models. The research supports next-generation technologies for underwater high-speed communication, autonomous-platform navigation, and covert detection in complex deep-sea environments.

Key Participant (Ranked 2nd)

Wireless Charging for Waterborne Transportation

Collaborative Research Fund, Research Grants Council of Hong Kong: “Electrification and Decarbonization: Multi-port Wireless Dock and Charge for Waterborne Transportation.”

Responsible for key research on system architecture, coordinated multi-energy-flow control, and highly reliable underwater magnetic coupling interfaces for multi-port wireless charging. The project aims to enable a single charging dock to provide efficient and safe wireless charging for multiple vessels, improving the utilization and flexibility of port-side charging infrastructure.

Key Participant (Ranked 3rd)

Non-Contact Rotor State Sensing

General Program, National Natural Science Foundation of China: “Non-Contact Vector Sensing and Inversion of Rotor Operating States Based on Magnetic-Coupling Detuning Evolution Mechanisms.”

Responsible for investigating magnetic-coupling detuning evolution mechanisms induced by rotor operating conditions, including speed fluctuation, torsional vibration, axial displacement, and eccentric wear. The project establishes cross-domain mappings between multidimensional electromagnetic features and rotor-state vectors, providing theoretical and modeling foundations for high-accuracy non-contact condition sensing and inversion.

Main Participant

Universal UAV Wireless Charging

Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Project: “Research on Universal Wireless Charging Platform Technologies for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.”

Developed universal wireless charging platform technologies for unmanned aerial vehicles, supporting compatible and reliable autonomous energy replenishment across multiple UAV platforms.

Research Outputs

Publications and intellectual property

Journal and Conference Publications

Zhang B, Chen J, Wang X, et al. “High-Power-Density Wireless Power Transfer System for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Based on a Variable Ring-Shaped Magnetic Coupler.” IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, 2023.
Zhang B, Jiang C, Yang F, et al. “An Anti-Rotation Wireless Power Transfer System with a Flexible Magnetic Coupler for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles.” IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 2024.
Zhang B, Yang F, Zhou J, et al. “A High-Compatibility Wireless Power Transfer System for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Based on Reconfigurable Magnetic Couplers.” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 2024.
Zhang B, Jiang C. Q., Ma T, et al. “A Thermally Reliable Variable-Topology Magnetic Coupler with Closed-Loop Multiphysics Co-Design for Guided-Platform AUV Wireless Charging.” IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, 2026.
Zhang B, Jiang C. Q., Yang F, et al. “A High-Performance Magnetic Coupler With V-Shaped Transmitter and Compact Orthogonal Hybrid Receiver for UAV Wireless Power Transfer.” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, Early Access, 2026.
Zhang B, Jiang C. Q., Cheng B, et al. “Underwater Energy Replenishment Platform with a Reconfigurable Magnetic Coupler for AUV Wireless Charging.” IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering, Early Access, 2026.
Yang J, Jiang C. Q., Zhang B*, et al. “Non-Communicative Output Regulation and Efficiency Maximization for Multiple-to-One WPT Systems with Unknown Receivers.” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, Early Access, 2026.
Ma T, Jiang C. Q., Zhang B*, et al. “Modeling and Analysis of Tetris-Shaped Coils for Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer Systems.” IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, Early Access, 2026.
Zhang B, Wang X, Lu C, et al. “A Wireless Power Transfer System for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Based on Lightweight Universal Variable Ring-Shaped Magnetic Coupling.” International Journal of Circuit Theory and Applications, Feb. 2023.
Zhang B, Xu W, Lu C, et al. “Review of Low-Loss Wireless Power Transfer Methods for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles.” IET Power Electronics, 2022.
Zhang B, Jiang C. Q., Chen C, et al. “Radial Rotation Angle Recognition of Wireless Power Transfer Systems for AUVs.” IPEMC 2024 – ECCE Asia, 2024.
Zhang B, Zhu Y, Zhang C, et al. “Simulation Modeling and Experimental Verification of an LCC-S Wireless Power Transfer System for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles.” IEEE IAS ICPS Asia, 2023.
Zhang B, Jiang C. Q., Zhou J, et al. “A Node-Level Pulse Density Modulation-Based Control for Wireless Power Transfer in Networked AUV Energy Supply Systems.” 2026 IEEE 9th International Electrical and Energy Conference (CIEEC), 2026.
Zhang B, Wang X, Lu C, et al. “Universal Wireless Power Transfer System for AUVs Based on Flexible Magnetic Couplers.” ICWPT 2023, 2023.
Zhang B, Jiang C. Q., Guo H, et al. “Multiphysics Modeling and Coupling Analysis for a Reconfigurable Magnetic Coupler in AUV Wireless Power Transfer.” ICWPT 2025, 2025.
Zhang B, Zhu Y, Lu Y, et al. “Design of Wireless Power Transfer Systems Based on Mutual Inductance Calculation of Ring Coils.” Power Electronics, 2024.

Invention Patents

Zhang Ben, Yang Yong, Ma Tianlu, Guo Hao, and Jiang Chaoqiang. Reconfigurable Rotation-Resistant Magnetic Coupling Device for a Guided Charging Platform for Underwater Vehicles, Chinese Invention Patent, filed Jul. 20, 2026. Application No. 202611075424.3.
Zhang Ben, Yang Yong, Zhu Zhaozheng, Cao Hanqing, and Jiang Chaoqiang. State Identification and Coordinated Regulation Method and System for Wireless Power Transfer Systems, Chinese Invention Patent, filed Jul. 14, 2026. Application No. 202611043579.9.
Zhang Ben, Yang Yong, Zhou Jiayu, Ma Tianlu, and Jiang Chaoqiang. High-Performance Magnetic Coupler with a V-Shaped Transmitter and Compact Orthogonal Hybrid Receiver for UAV Wireless Power Transfer, U.S. Provisional Patent Application, filed Jun. 26, 2026. Application No. 64/099,394.
Wang Xudong, Zhang Ben, Chen Jinmao, Xu Wanli, et al. Flexible Magnetic Coupling System for Wireless Charging of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, Chinese Invention Patent, filed Aug. 27, 2024. Application No. 202411181184.6.
Wang Xudong, Yang Fengshuo, Xu Wanli, Zhang Ben, et al. Wireless Power Supply and Communication System for Smart Wearable Devices, Chinese Invention Patent, filed Aug. 27, 2024. Application No. 202411181304.2.

Software Copyrights

Lu Yong, Zhang Ben, Planar Coil Mutual Inductance Calculation Software, 2023.
Lu Yong, Zhang Ben, Wireless Power Transfer System Simulation and Testing Software, 2022.
Lu Yong, Zhang Ben, Wireless Power Transfer Resonant Parameter Calculation Software, 2022.
Lu Yong, Zhang Ben, Diesel Engine Intake Charge Calculation Software, 2020.
Lu Yong, Zhang Ben, Crankshaft Force Calculation Software for Internal Combustion Engines, 2020.

Academic Monograph

Wang Xudong, Wang Changfu, Xu Wanli, Chen Jinmao, Yang Fengshuo, Zhang Ben, et al. Magnetically Coupled Wireless Power Transfer Technology and Applications. Beijing Institute of Technology Press, 2024. ISBN: 978-7-5763-4018-1.

Honors

Academic honors and awards

2026, Second Contributor, Second Prize (Basic Research Category), China Power Supply Society Science and Technology Progress Award, China Power Supply Society (CPSS).
2026, Supervising Instructor, National Second Prize, China Graduate Electronics Design Contest, Chinese Institute of Electronics (CIE).
2026, Supervising Instructor, Second Prize in the Hong Kong and Macao Regional Competition, China Graduate Electronics Design Contest, Chinese Institute of Electronics (CIE).
2026, First Contributor, Best Paper Award, IEEE 9th International Electrical and Energy Conference, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
2026, First Contributor, Silver Medal, Silicon Valley International Invention Festival, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
2026, First Contributor, Silver Medal, International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, World Intellectual Property Organization.
2026, First Contributor, Award for Excellence in Research and Innovation, International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies Romania.
2025, Second Contributor, Gold Medal, International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, World Intellectual Property Organization.
2025, First Contributor, Champion Award, Young Professionals Exhibition and Competition, The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), United Kingdom.
2025, First Contributor, Best Paper Award, International Conference on Wireless Power Transfer Technology, China Electrotechnical Society.
2025, Second Contributor, Third Prize, Hardware Demonstration Award, IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition (ECCE), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
2025, Second Contributor, Student Design Competition Award, International Wireless Power Transfer Conference, International Wireless Power Transfer Association.
2025, Silver Award, Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People's Republic of China.
2024, First Contributor, First Prize, Young Professionals Exhibition and Competition, The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), United Kingdom.
2023, Sole Awardee, National Scholarship for Doctoral Students, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.
2017, Sole Awardee, National Encouragement Scholarship, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.

Academic Service

Editorial, committee, and review roles

Editorial Roles

International Journal of Circuit Theory and Applications - Associate Editor, Jul. 2026 - Present.
Wireless Power Transfer - Associate Editor, Mar. 2025 - Present.
Electronics - Guest Editor, Jul. 2025 - Present.

Professional Committees

China Power Supply Society, Electromagnetic Compatibility Committee - Committee Member, Aug. 2026 - Present.
China Power Supply Society, Magnetic Technology Committee - Committee Member, Jan. 2024 - Present.

Peer Review and Conference Service

2026 IEEE 9th Student Conference on Electric Machines and Systems - Technical Committee Chair, Nov. 2026.
2026 International Conference of Electrical, Electronic and Networked Energy Systems - Session Chair, Nov. 2026.
2026 The 2nd International Conference on Applied Electrical Engineering and Technology - Session Chair and Invited Speaker, Aug. 2026.
2026 Annual Academic Conference of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Technical Committee, China Power Supply Society - Session Chair and Invited Speaker, Aug. 2026.
2026 International Conference on Wireless Power Transfer - Session Chair, Aug. 2026.
2026 Electrical Young Scholars Forum - Invited Speaker, May 2026.
2026 The 10th National Conference on Magnetic Materials and Devices - Session Committee Member, Apr. 2026.
2026 IEEE 9th International Electrical and Energy Conference - Session Chair, May 2026.
2nd Conference on Electrical Artificial Intelligence (Best Organization Award) - Session Chair, Nov. 2025.
2025 International Conference on Wireless Power Transfer - Session Chair, Oct. 2025.
2025 International Conference on Electrical, Electronic and Networked Energy Systems - Session Chair, Oct. 2025.
2025 Annual Conference on Mining and Underground Measurement - Invited Speaker, Aug. 2025.
20th IEEE Conference on Industrial Electronics and Applications - Session Chair, Aug. 2025.
IEEE TIE, TTE, TPEL, TIA, JESTPE - Reviewer, Sep. 2020 - Present.

Media

Academic presentations

Contact

Open to collaboration in wireless power transfer, autonomous energy systems, and marine or low-altitude electrification.

张犇 · 香港城市大学

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