From October 10 to 24, two pivotal international conferences in the field of electrical and electromechanical energy conversion, the IEEE Energy Conversion Congress & Expo (ECCE) and the 59th IEEE IAS Annual Meeting, were held concurrently in Phoenix, USA. On October 24, during the joint award ceremony of the two conferences, the 2024 IEEE IAS Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Prof. Qu for his significant contributions to flux modulation machines and wind generators. He is the first recipient from the Chinese mainland in the field of motor body since the award was established in 1969.

Prof. Qu Ronghai (first from the right) from HUST SEEE receiving the award at the 2024 IEEE IAS Annual Meeting

Prof. Qu has long been engaged in research on the basic theory and application of motor design, drive, and control systems. He has led and completed various national key projects and international cooperation projects. The Center for Advanced electrical Machines & Drives (CAEMD), led by Prof. Qu, excels in the motor field with the most outstanding comprehensive strength and innovative achievements. It has achieved many world-leading outputs, enjoying significant international visibility.

Prof. Qu is an IEEE Fellow, fellow of the China Electrotechnical Society (CES), an elected member of the administrative committee of the International Conference on Electrical Machines (ICEM), chair of the IEEE IAS Wuhan Chapter, and a member of the academic work committee at the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering (CSEE), among others. He has also won a Gold Medal and a Gold with Congratulations of the Jury (GCJ) at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, the Nagamoni Award, the Invention and Entrepreneurship Award - Individual Award of the China Association of Inventions, and was named one of the Hundred Patent Invention Leaders in Hubei Province, among other honors.

Prof. Qu (sixth from the right) and his team of faculty and students attending the international conference

The IEEE Industry Applications Society (IEEE IAS) is one of the largest professional societies under the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). This society addresses unique needs in the industrial and commercial fields. It is involved in setting more than 25% of the IEEE industrial standards and hosts extensive academic and technical conferences, with the IEEE IAS Annual Conference being highly influential internationally. The IEEE IAS Outstanding Achievement Award is the most prestigious accolade within the society, especially established to honor individuals who contribute to fields such as the industrial application of electricity. Each year, the award is conferred upon one outstanding international scholar in this domain.

Written by: Gu Yuxiao

Edited by: Yang Kunjie, Chang Wen, Peng Yumeng