Prof. Akira Chiba receives the IEEE Nikola Tesla Award (IEEE Field Award)

The "bearingless motor" is a magnetically suspended motor. This motor was invented while I was a Ph.D. student in Tokyo Tech. Since 1989, continuous research has been supported by grants from the Ministry of Education. It is well-known that electric motors generate rotational torque, but radial attractive forces are generated between a rotor and a stator. The radial forces are not very effectively used. By taking advantage of the radial forces, the motor rotor can be magnetically supported without mechanical contact. In the early days, people just commented that it was a unique motor, but these days, many international researchers are studying it. Bearingless motors have been applied for use in pumps in the semiconductor and liquid crystal display fabrication process.

As for reluctance motors, switched reluctance motors and generators are designed and tested to verify the fact that performance such as torque density, efficiency, and operation area of leading permanent magnet motors in automotive applications can be realized without rare-earth permanent magnets. These motors are called"rare-earth-free-motors."

I would like to give special thanks to Emeritus Professor Fukao at Tokyo Tech and Professor Rahman at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada. I thank Professor Akagi for letting me know about IEEE fellowship and Technical Field Awards. I would like to thank all colleagues and students who engaged in the research with me. I was hoping I could become a recipient close to retirement, but it is a surprise to be come one in my 50's. I would like to continue working on innovative motor projects.