By Niels Landbo Krogh and Susanne Clement Justesen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs 
Photo: Lars Horn, Baghuset. Graphic: Julie Nete Nielsen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs

Why haven't magnetic components evolved like other technologies? This question drives Hongbo Zhao's research at AAU ENERGY where he develops smarter, more efficient magnetic components for the electrified future.

Hongbo Zhao is an associate professor at Aalborg University and one of the newest researchers selected for AAU Excellence, the university's talent development programme for researchers at the beginning of their careers with the potential to make a difference.

His research focuses on transformers and inductors – magnetic components found in everything from electric vehicles to wind turbines and mobile phones. These components are essential for power electronics but surprisingly have not undergone many innovations in recent decades.

"Unlike semiconductors and capacitors, magnetic components have not kept up with development. I want to understand why – and change that," says Hongbo Zhao.

Not enough just to understand the problem

During his PhD, he worked on modelling parasitic parameters in magnetic components, i.e. undesirable electrical and magnetic properties that are not part of the intended design function but nevertheless occur in any physical component. But Hongbo Zhao quickly realized that understanding the problem wasn't enough. He wanted to directly innovate – to rethink materials, design and integration.

"That shift brought me closer to the industry. I started to apply advanced knowledge to solve practical challenges and create real impact in the real world."

Supporting the green transition

Today, Hongbo Zhao's work is highly relevant, because as the world faces climate change and moves towards electrification, magnetic components play a key role in making systems more compact, efficient and durable.

"These components are found everywhere electricity flows. By improving them, we can increase the performance of entire systems – and support the green transition," says Hongbo Zhao.

Next-generation power electronics and magnetic integration

His latest work examines how electric current and electric fields behave in different types of components used in modern electronics. It's about finding problems that at first glance are less visible but can make the important components inefficient in operation. The goal of this work is to identify hidden inefficiencies and thus increase the chances of smarter design.

Hongbo Zhao is part of a strong research environment at Aalborg University where several researchers are working on next-generation power electronics and magnetic integration.

Grow, learn and contribute

Being selected for AAU Excellence is a milestone for him – and a motivation to continue moving forward.

"I have long admired the researchers in this programme. It's a recognition of my journey so far – and an opportunity to grow, learn and contribute even more."

Hongbo Zhao works in the Section for Power Electronics System Integration and Materials at AAU Energy. He hails from Chengdu, also known as the hometown of pandas in China.

About AAU Excellence

Aalborg University's talent development programme AAU Excellence aims to raise the academic qualifications of talented researchers early in their careers enabling them to develop groundbreaking, creative research as well as obtain research grants. During the spring and autumn, Update features portraits of the eight participants. 

Follow the talented researchers and the many activities in AAU Excellence on LinkedIn. 

Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs.