John Salmon

Biography

I received the B.Sc.Eng. degree from Imperial College London, London, U.K., in 1982, the M.Eng. degree from McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, in 1984, and the Ph.D. degree from Imperial College London in 1987. I received several undergraduate scholarship whilst studying at Imperial College as well as industrial sponsorship from BNFL. I was awarded the Willis Jackson Medal for academic achievement upon graduating with my B.Sc. degree from Imperial College. I received the Commonwealth Scholarship for pursuing my MEng degree at McGill University. I was placed on the Deans Honour List upon graduating with my MEng from McGill University.

Research Interest

Dr. Salmon has over 25 years of research experience in the field of power electronics, including a range of topics such as: medium voltage drives; variable frequency drive systems for high speed generators and induction motors; industrial drive systems; power supplies for laser systems; electronic ballasts for fluorescent and metal halide lamps; and microturbine generators. He has also participated in many industrially sponsored research projects. His main research activity has been the design of PWM switchmode power electronics for industrial variable speed drives and the rectification of 1-phase and 3-phase utility power into DC power. He has worked on many aspects associated with the power electronics for alternative energy systems and energy storage systems. His main expertise are novel power electronics for voltage source PWM inverters requiring high fundamental frequencies. This includes topologies that are multi-level, multi-module, and multi-pulse. This research has successfully contributed in the following areas: High speed electric drive systems Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery power management systems High speed flywheel energy storage systems Audio amplifiers Multi-level, multi-modular & multi-pulse power electronics Coupled inductor inverter topologies Dr. Salmon’s recent research activity has involved projects in the following areas: industrial motor drive systems; utility rectifiers; alternative energy systems for windpower generators; high speed flywheel energy storage systems; audio switchmode amplifiers; and high speed permanent magnet and induction machines. His main technical research goals are to design new power electronic topologies that reduce the electrical stresses on power electronic components, decrease switch count, reduce the size and cost, and increase system efficiencies. More specifically, this work has included topics such as multi-functional inverter systems and multi-level PWM inverters using coupled inductors. Dr. Salmon’s research increases the efficiency and performance of multi-level PWM power electronics both in low power systems and systems requiring high fundamental output frequencies. His work has applications in such areas such as plug-in electric vehicles, wind generators, photovoltaics, and many industrial drive systems.