Nagamori AwardsAwards Ceremony

Winners of the 6th Nagamori Awards Decided, Give Presentations (2020)

Image zoom

Nagamori Foundation held the Sixth Nagamori Awards Ceremony on Sunday, March 14, 2021 to honor the winners of the awards and the recipients of the research grant for 2020.

Because of the impact of COVID-19, the ceremony was held at Miyako Hall of Nidec Corporation Annex Global Learning Center as the main venue, having the winners and the research grant recipients attending remotely and was streamed live via Web to approximately 200 people including many academics, and those related to Nagamori Foundation.

After the presentations by the six award winners followed by the review from the members of Nagamori Foundation’s Review Committee, Dr. Chris Gerada, Professor, University of Nottingham was chosen as the Grand Nagamori Award winner.

The ceremony began with Prof. Hori, the Review Committee’s Chair, explaining how the winners were selected, followed by the announcement of the Sixth Grand Nagamori Award Winner. Each winner received a commendation certificate and a prize cup from Mr. Nagamori, President of Nagamori Foundation, and then representing the award winners, Dr. Gerada delivered a speech to express the pleasure of receiving the Grand Nagamori Award.

The next part of the ceremony was to present research grants (“Research Grant 2020”) to the 30 young researchers, mostly associate or assistant professors (10 new and 20 renewal recipients). Dr. Wataru Ohnishi, Assistant Professor of the University of Tokyo, gave a speech to appreciate the grant on behalf of all the grant recipients.

Lastly, Mr. FUJIWARA Makoto, Vice Minister of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology – Japan, appeared remotely and gave a congratulatory address. The ceremony ended in great success.

The Grand Nagamori Award (2020)

Chris Gerada
［Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor of Electrical Machines, University of Nottingham］
For contributions to advancements in high performance electrical machines and their industrial application and uptake

Award Winners (2020)

Yasuhisa Hirata
［Professor, Department of Robotics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University］
Development of motion control technology for passive robot using servo brake actuators for high safety and low power consumption
Alireza Khaligh
［Professor and Director, Maryland Power Electronics Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering & the Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland at College Park］
Pioneering research and development on design and control of high-efficiency and high-power-density electric-motor-integrated wide bandgap power electronics
Shihua Li
［Professor, Vice Dean, School of Automation, Southeast University］
For contributions to the nonlinear modeling, analysis and multi-disturbance rejection control solution for precise motion control systems
Annette Muetze
［Professor, Vice Dean, Department of Electric Engineering and Information Technology, Graz University of Technology］
Increasing the reliability, efficiency, and utilization of variable speed drive systems
Jin Wang
［Professor, Center for High Performance Power Electronics, The Ohio State University］
Leading-edge research and development of wide bandgap power device based electric machine drives

The Grand Nagamori Award winner's comment


Dr. Chris Gerada
（Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor of Electrical Machines, University of Nottingham)

It is a great honor to receive the Grand Nagamori Award recognizing the achievements, in terms of quality and impact, of the work I do.

My interest in engineering started at an early age, driven by a desire to develop innovative ways of making things better and I am very grateful that I have been able to pursue a rewarding career in an area that is my passion.

Electrical machines and drives are a fundamental enabler in the challenge of decarbonizing our economy, from generating renewable power through to driving electric transportation and industrial processes. My work in this field has allowed me to contribute to the development of key technologies that have become critical in the ambition to cut carbon emissions. Ensuring transfer to industry and investing time and effort in training to develop future engineers is also a core part of my work and essential to ensure the continued implementation and progression of research in electrical machines and drives. Receiving the Grand Nagamori Award further encourages and reinforces my dedication to this area of research. Mr Nagamori is an inspiration to us all through his passion for electrical machines and drives, his success in founding the Nidec Corporation and advocacy for attracting and developing talented people in the field.

In receiving this award I would like to thank the hard work and dedication of my colleagues and students, whose contribution to my work is an essential element in my success to date.