Prof. Akira Chiba and Three Tokyo Tech Researchers Receive the IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion Best Paper Award

Prof. Akira Chiba (centre right) and researcher Jacob Bayless (center left) with IEEE officials.

Q : What kind of award have you received?

A : We won the EMC prize paper award (2nd place) in the IEEE Power and Energy Society Transactions on Energy Conversion.

Q : Which contribution is appreciated?

A : I think the awards committee was impressed that we were able to simultaneously reduce the motor acoustic noise and increase the efficiency at the same time. In the past, techniques to reduce acoustic noise usually come at a cost of reduced efficiency.

Q : How do you feel now?

A : I am very honoured, and glad that the research is receiving attention. I hope that this will contribute to hybrid and electric vehicles becoming more widespread at a lower cost, and to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Q : How did you choose the department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering?

A : In 2013, I was a student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA, working on electric motors. At that time, a visiting professor from Tokyo Tech introduced me to the TIROP program, which supported exchange students visiting from abroad. My interest in electric motors naturally led me to the Chiba Laboratory at Tokyo Institute of Technology. I've now graduated, but I found conducting research in that laboratory to be a wonderful experience.

Q : What was the most impressive lesson or lecture in EE?

A : For me, the most impressive lesson was just working in the Chiba Laboratory with the other Tokyo Tech students. I saw them working diligently every day to collect data and test ideas. There was a lot of collaboration, and the students worked together to solve problems. This might be an over-simplification, but I would describe the environment at MIT as competitive, and Tokyo Tech as cooperative.

Q : Do you have any advice or message to 1st year students and high school students?

A : I think it's important to not be afraid to find your own path, and do what you really are interested in, instead of what you're told. To develop new ideas, it's necessary to keep a wide and open perspective. Most importantly, spend some time outside of Japan! I was amazed at how few Japanese students were at MIT, while the number of Chinese and Korean international students was very high. Many students worry about their English ability, but the best way to improve is to learn by necessity.