Hongye Zhang

Dr. Hongye Zhang serves as a Lecturer in Superconducting and Cryogenic Electric Machines at the School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, while maintaining a Visiting Research Fellow position at the University of Manchester. He actively contributes to the European Society for Applied Superconductivity (ESAS) as a Board Member and chairs the international HTS 2026 workshop.

His educational foundation includes:

• BSc and MSc in Electrical Engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University (2015, 2018)
• Diplôme d’ingénieur (MEng) from École Centrale de Lyon (2018)
• PhD in Applied Superconductivity from the University of Edinburgh (2021)

Dr. Zhang’s research centers on decarbonizing transport through superconducting/cryogenic electric machines for hydrogen-powered aircraft, integrating artificial intelligence with superconductor technology and cryogenic techniques. His work targets net zero emissions by developing high-power-density propulsion systems that leverage hydrogen energy and advanced numerical modeling of superconductors.

Analysis of his 2022-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in superconducting machine design for wind energy and electric aviation, with significant contributions to loss mitigation, flux pump technology, and trapped field magnet applications. His research bridges fundamental superconductor characterization with practical system integration for renewable energy.

Recognized with the 2021 IEEE Council on Superconductivity Graduate Study Fellowship, his professional engagements include:

• Early Career Editorial Board Member for Elsevier’s Superconductivity journal
• Technical Editor for IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity
• Program Committee Member for SMT 2023

He leads critical research within the £54-million H2GEAR project developing hydrogen-electric aircraft propulsion, while teaching Power Engineering 2 and Electrical Machines courses. His advisory roles span doctoral supervision and industry collaboration through Energy Systems research institute.

Based at the University of Edinburgh’s Faraday Building, Dr. Zhang directs a research group focused on hydrogen energy applications and superconducting machine testing, with strong ties to the H2GEAR consortium and ESAS working groups.