Research Interests

My research work on Electric Machines encompasses the following topics:

• Electric Machines using Iron Nitride (FeN) magnets:
  This project concerns the design of machines using Iron Nitride (FeN) magnets in collaboration with (Niron Magnetics). This work aims to explore the potential of FeN magnets as a rare-earth-free alternative with high saturation magnetization and thermal stability. These magnets have low coercive force which presents challenges for maintaining magnetic performance under demagnetizing conditions. My work investigates material processing methods and motor design strategies to mitigate the effects of low coercivity, while maximizing overall efficiency and torque density.

• AI tool for Electric Machine Design:
  AlviBot is an intelligent chatbot system I am developing to assist engineers in electric motor design and analysis. It allows users to ask natural-language questions and automatically generates initial motor design concepts based on key performance specifications. In addition to design support, AlviBot helps engineers with everyday tasks such as setting up finite element (FE) simulations, identifying relevant equations, and providing guidance on design methodologies. By integrating engineering knowledge with interactive AI capabilities, AlviBot aims to provide accurate solutions to daily engineering problems, thereby reducing design time and enhancing productivity across research and industrial applications.

• Design of Electric Machines:
  The initial phase of the design process involves selecting the machine topology tailored to the specific application requirements. Typically, the machine is geometrically designed, often employing intricate mathematical equations to ensure the creation of viable machine geometries—a crucial aspect throughout the optimization phase. Assessment of the machine’s diverse performances can be conducted through analytical or finite element models. In my practice, I rely on software tools such as Ansys, Comsol, and Femm to evaluate electromagnetic, mechanical, and thermal performances (read more). My studies have encompassed various machine types, including V-shaped PMSM, Inserted PMSM, Surface PMSM, and others.

• High-Speed Machines:
  High-speed machines offer compact solutions across diverse applications, but addressing associated challenges is imperative. Issues such as the mechanical integrity of the rotor and high-frequency phenomena in various machine components demand thorough investigation. In my research, I concentrated on analyzing high-frequency phenomena within windings, stator, and rotor core, particularly delving into electromagnetic aspects. Additionally, I explored the mechanical and thermal dimensions. Achieving high power density in lieu of high speed involves alternatives like elevating current density and fill factor in slots, necessitating robust cooling techniques (read more).
  

• High-Frequency losses in windings:
  Losses in windings are usually assumed to be equal to Joule losses during the design process of the machine. High frequency losses are often left to post-processing, in which the windings configuration and wires dimensions are determined to mitigate high frequency effects. However, at high-frequency, new electromagnetic phenomena appear. These effects are: skin effect, proximity effect, and circulating currents. These effects need to be considered and included in the desing process of the machine. In my work, I reviewed all models of high frequency losses in windings and proposed a methodology to include these losses during the optimization process using Hybrid Model Simple Finite Element Analysis (read more). A particular attention was brought to circulating currents properties. The fact that circulating currents always induce higher losses compared to the DC case is mathematically demonstrated (read more). Further, a mitigitation method of circulating currents consisting of having longer active length compared to end windings length is also mathematically demonstrated (read more).

• Optimization of Electric Machines:
  Optimizing machines according to specified criteria holds significant implications across diverse industries, including automotive and aeronautics. Through the optimization of geometry, materials, and winding configurations, machines can align with specifications and requirements by employing a multi-physics model encompassing electromagnetic, mechanical, and thermal aspects. In my research, I focus on multi-objective optimization, which allows considering many objectives and constraints (read more). Optimization results are represented in a Pareto Front, striking a balance between conflicting performances such as efficiency and power density. I perform large-scale optimization using CPUs on the server, in which millions of machines can be simulated. I use various optimization tools (Genetic Algorithm, Particle Swarm, …).

• Electric Vehicles Propulsion:
  The design of electric vehicles propulsion include all the components of the electric powertrain. In my research work, I mainly focus on the design of electric machine and the gearbox. I worked on the design of machines for city electric vehicles in collaboration with automotive companies. Based on automotive specifications, different machines are designed and compared to achieve best trade-off between efficiency and power density (read more). The gearbox used is a multi-stage external, cylindrical, and helicoidal gear. The gear is geometrically designed considering profile shifting. To obtain overall optimum performances, both the electric machine and the gearbox are considered in the optimization and design process (read more).

• Electric Aircraft Propulsion:
  Amongst my research work, the design and optimization of electric motors for regional electric aircraft propulsion, focusing on the Surface PMSM to achieve industrial specifications for regional aircrafts (read more). A benchmark of different machines is performed targeting a high specific power. The gearbox’s mass is also included to evaluate the overall performances. You can read here about the utility of regional electric aircrafts in Nordic countries.

• Experimental Work:
  Amongst my experimental works, I focused on experimental measurment of high frequency losses in windings. A new methodology is developed to measure proximity effect losses in windings and applied to the case of a winded slot. Although additional losses due to proximity effect are relatively small, obtained results show the variation of total losses in windings with respect to frequency and current. The methodology consists of twisting two conductors with each other: the first one (principal conductor) is the conductor in which losses are measured and the second one represents is an auxiliary conductor used for the methodology calculation.

References:

• T. El Hajji; A. Lehikoinen; A. Belahcen, “Circulating Currents in Windings: Fundamental Property”, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.12748
• El Hajji, T.; Hemeida, A.; Lehikoinen, A.; Martin, F.; Belahcen, A., “Optimal Design of High Specific Power Electric Machines for Fully Electric Regional Aircraft: A Case Study of 1MW S-PMSM”. Aerospace 2024, 11, 820, doi: 10.3390/aerospace11100820
• T. El Hajji, A. Lehikoinen, A. Hemeida and A. Belahcen, “Optimal Design of Cost-effective E-Machines for Traction: A Case Study of 150kW V-shaped PMSM,” 2024 International Conference on Electrical Machines (ICEM), Torino, Italy, 2024, pp. 1-5, doi: 10.1109/ICEM60801.2024.10700405
• T. El Hajji, “Modeling and optimization of high speed electric machines for electric vehicles”, PhD Dissertation, Ecole Normale Superieure Paris-Saclay, Paris-Saclay University, March 2023, PhD Thesis (accessible starting from 08-03-2028)
• T. E. Hajji et al., “AC Losses in Windings: Review and Comparison of Models With Application in Electric Machines,” in IEEE Access, vol. 12, pp. 1552-1569, 2024, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3345014
• El Hajji, T.; Hlioui, S.; Louf, F.; Gabsi, M.; Mermaz-Rollet, G.; Belhadi, M. Optimal Design of High-Speed Electric Machines for Electric Vehicles: A Case Study of 100 kW V-Shaped Interior PMSM. Machines 2023, 11, 57. doi: 10.3390/machines11010057
• T. El Hajji, S. Hlioui, F. Louf, M. Gabsi, G. Mermaz-Rollet and M. Belhadi, “Hybrid model for AC Losses in High Speed PMSM for arbitrary flux density waveforms,” 2020 International Conference on Electrical Machines (ICEM), Gothenburg, Sweden, 2020, pp. 2426-2432, doi: 10.1109/ICEM49940.2020.9271017