Electric Vehicle Lab
The EV Lab at NUST SEECS
The Electric Vehicle Lab, located in the state-of-the-art SINES facility, serves as a hub of innovation and research excellence. Under the leadership of Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad, the lab is dedicated to pioneering advancements in multiple cutting-edge areas, including Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Microgrids, Biomedical Applications, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
The diverse research teams at Lab collaborate on projects that integrate advanced technologies and sustainable solutions, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in electrical engineering.
This dynamic environment fosters creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring that the Electric Vehicle Lab remains at the forefront of technological development and scientific discovery.
Our Team
Meet Our Research Team
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Research
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Research Projects
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Publications
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Research Assistant
1. Electric Vehicles and Microgrids
Research focused on the integration and optimization of electric vehicles within microgrid systems. This includes developing efficient energy management strategies and enhancing the sustainability and reliability of EV-microgrid networks.
EVs are automobiles that run on electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries, unlike traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Because they have no tailpipe secretions, they contribute to cleaner air and lower greenhouse gas secretions, making them more environmentally friendly. Due to their fewer moving components, they are widely available with charging infrastructure.
A renewable energy microgrids is an integrated network that incorporates energy generated from renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power into the traditional electrical grid. This transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, and promote sustainability.
2. Biomedical Applications
Investigations into the use of control engineering principles and technologies in biomedical fields. Research involves developing medical devices, improving diagnostic tools, and enhancing patient care through innovative biomedical solutions.
The biomedical research at the Electric Vehicle Lab is at its peak, with projects focusing on critical health issues such as HIV, cancer tumors, brain cancer, glucose monitoring, HCV hepatitis virus, and prosthetic knees. These projects aim to leverage advanced engineering techniques to create impactful solutions for some of the most challenging medical problems.
3. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Advancements in technology have made UAVs more affordable and easier to use, opening them up to a wider range of users. This has led to a boom in the hobbyist market, as well as the development of new commercial applications. UAVs are a platform for innovation in fields like robotics and autonomous flight. Their ability to carry payloads and navigate complex environments makes them ideal for research and development in these areas. They can be used for a wide range of applications, including aerial photography and videography, search and rescue operations, delivery services, precision agriculture, and inspections of infrastructure. Their maneuverability and ability to take off and land vertically make them ideal for tasks that would be difficult or dangerous for traditional aircraft.
The EV Lab is currently working on two significant projects: Tethered Drone and Rotor Failure. These projects have been endorsed and signed by the Director General of Projects and the Research Innovation Center (RIC).
These recent publications, supervised by Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Rana, have been featured in various prestigious journals. For more papers, please refer to the Google Scholar profile link provided on page 1.
- Ghias, Rimsha, Ammar Hasan, and Iftikhar Ahmad. “Artificial neural network based conditional controllers with saturated action for multi-renewable hybrid alternating or direct current microgrids in islanded and grid-connected modes.” Journal of Energy Storage 94 (2024): 112139.
- Rehman, Atif, Rimsha Ghias, Iftikhar Ahmad, and Hammad Iqbal Sherazi. “Advance Optimized Nonlinear Control Strategies for Manage Pressure Drilling.” IEEE Access (2024).
- Ahmed, Syed Hassan, and Iftikhar Ahmad. “Optimal wireless power transfer to hybrid energy storage system for electric vehicles: A comparative analysis of machine learning-based model-free controllers.” Journal of Energy Storage 75 (2024): 109534.
- e Ammara, Umm, Syeda Shafia Zehra, Saqib Nazir, and Iftikhar Ahmad. “Artificial neural network-based nonlinear control and modeling of a DC microgrid incorporating regenerative FC/HPEV and energy storage system.” Renewable Energy Focus 49 (2024): 100565.
- Saleem, Shabab, Iftikhar Ahmad, Syed Hassan Ahmed, and Atif Rehman. “Artificial intelligence based robust nonlinear controllers optimized by improved gray wolf optimization algorithm for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in grid to vehicle applications.” Journal of Energy Storage 75 (2024): 109332.
- Mughees, Abdullah, and Iftikhar Ahmad. “Multi-optimization of novel conditioned adaptive barrier function integral terminal SMC for trajectory tracking of a quadcopter System.” IEEE Access (2023).
- Mughees, Abdullah, Iftikhar Ahmad, Neelam Mughees, and Anam Mughees. “Conditioned adaptive barrier-based double integral super twisting SMC for trajectory tracking of a quadcopter and hardware in loop using IGWO algorithm.” Expert Systems with Applications 235 (2024): 121141.
- Five students—Rimsha Ghias, Shabab Saleem, Bibi Tabassam Gull, Ahsan, and Atif Rehman—are working as research assistants in the Electric Vehicle Lab, collaborating with professors from the American University of Sharjah, Dubai. These students are involved in research across various areas, including electric vehicles, drones, microgrids, and biomedical applications.
Furthermore, there are fresh master’s students currently involved in research across various fields.