Research Across Nations: A Student’s Discovery and Publication on DWPT Charging

With the rising interest in dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) systems to charge in-motion electric vehicles, especially heavy-duty EVs, ASPIRE researchers are discovering innovative ways to address this rising need. One complication with three-phase DWPT systems is the requirement for magnetic balancing, a problem that a team of ASPIRE students and researchers from the University of Auckland are investigating. 

“The work is aimed at proposing a new magnetic topology for the in-road charger of a dynamic (vehicle in-motion) wireless charging system,” said ASPIRE Ph.D. Student Brian Gu, the first author of this publication. 

Through their research, a part of ASPIRE Project 2: Electrified Roadways, the research team proposed a new topology that reduces the leakage of the magnetic field by 18%, thus reducing the waste of resources and improving the efficiency of power transfer to the vehicle while driving. 

“We found a way to ease the operation of multi-phase magnetic topologies by cancelling the magnetic interactions between each phase,” Gu said. “This leads to lower leakage magnetic fields and improved power transfer capability.” 

Their research, entitled “Optimisation of Three-Phase Winding for Roadway Inductive Power Transfer to Electric Vehicles”, was published at the Wireless Power Transfer Conference and Expo 2025 at Sapienza University in Rome, Italy — an exciting opportunity to collaborate and network with an international audience. 

“I would say the interactions are the best part of the experience,” Gu said. “Being a student in New Zealand means we are quite geographically distant from many of the advancements happening in transport electrification. It is our opportunity to talk to the companies and fellow academics who attend the conference.” 

Opportunities to connect and share innovative ideas with experts around the globe are experiences that ASPIRE is all about. 

“The implication of my research being linked with the goals of ASPIRE is that my publications are relevant to the field,” Gu explained. “Students who may wish to build on my work are being supported to do so. ASPIRE has also helped me communicate and add visibility to my research.” 

In addition to helping Gu connect with experts now, his work and publications at ASPIRE are also paving the way towards a successful future. 

“I am very grateful to be publishing my research frequently as a Ph.D. student,” Gu shared. “It serves as a publicly visible portfolio of my work, which is invaluable in setting me up for my career.” 

For students interested in learning more about DWPT charging and research at ASPIRE, reach out to Student Engagement Coordinator Melanie Conrad. 

About ASPIRE: 

ASPIRE, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center headquartered at Utah State University, leads groundbreaking research and development to accelerate electrification. With over 400 global collaborators, ASPIRE focuses on creating seamless, affordable electrified transportation systems, accessible for all vehicle classes, along with the public infrastructure needed to support them. By reducing emissions, improving air quality, and fostering economic growth through job creation and workforce training, ASPIRE’s work spans engineering, social science, policy, and business. Partnering with top universities, industry leaders, and community groups, ASPIRE is driving the future of advanced transportation. Learn more at aspire.usu.edu. 

Contacts: 

Melanie Conrad
Student Engagement Coordinator
ASPIRE ERC 

Writer: 

Kayleigh Kearsley 
Marketing & Communications Intern 
ASPIRE ERC