Hi, I'm Sayem Ul Alam
PhD Student in Electrical & Computer Engineering
The University of Alabama | Researching Rare-Earth-Free Motor Design & Control for EVs and Wind Turbines
The University of Alabama | Researching Rare-Earth-Free Motor Design & Control for EVs and Wind Turbines
I am a PhD student in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama, specializing in electric machine design and control. My research focuses on developing rare-earth-free permanent magnet motors for electric vehicles and wind turbines.
As a Graduate Research Assistant at the Renewable Energy System Laboratory (RESyL) , I conduct FEM-based simulations using ANSYS Maxwell and MotorCAD to analyze torque-speed performance, efficiency maps, and rare-earth-free magnet alternatives.
Previously, I contributed to soil moisture and vegetation detection using multispectral imaging at the UA Remote Sensing Centre. I also have teaching and industry experience as a lecturer and automation engineer.
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
Duration: Jan 2023 – Present
Noakhali Science and Technology University, Chittagong, Bangladesh
Duration: Jan 2017 – Mar 2022
TICI Training: Technical and Industrial Certification in PLC, SCADA, and Industrial Automation — Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Design and optimization of non-rare-earth PMSMs using FEM simulations, benchmarking against commercial EV traction motors.
Conducting ANSYS Maxwell & MotorCAD simulations of SPM, IPM, SynRM, and PMSynRM motors to evaluate torque, efficiency, and demagnetization tradeoffs.
Investigating PM coercivity, recoil line dynamics, and demagnetization effects under armature MMF to enhance durability and performance of PMSM designs.
Simulating and analyzing the Nissan Leaf traction motor for torque-speed profiles and efficiency maps, providing benchmarks against rare-earth-free PMSMs.
Applied multispectral camera and spectro-radiometer data to estimate soil moisture and vegetation health in agricultural and environmental contexts.
This poster presented FEM-based analysis of a PMASynR motor using Fe₂Ni₂N magnets, a rare-earth-free alternative. The study demonstrated competitive performance for EV applications while reducing reliance on rare-earth materials.
Presented by: Sayem Ul Alam, 2024
We developed a CNN-based approach for estimating soil moisture using multispectral UAS imagery. The method enhances agricultural monitoring and supports precision farming through accurate soil moisture mapping.
Presented by: Sayem Ul Alam, 2023
Award #2137275 | Division of Engineering Education and Centers (EEC) | Amount: US$ 500,000
Title: IUCRC Phase II University of Alabama: Center for Efficient Vehicles and Sustainable Transportation Systems (EVSTS)
Role: Graduate Research Assistant — June 2024 – June 2025.
NSF Graduate RA SupportAward #2402634 | Engineering Program (CFDA 47.041) | Amount: US$ 1,000,000
Title: RAISE: CET: Rare-Earth-Free Magnets and AI-Driven Control for Power Generation, Transmission, and Grid Integration of Offshore Wind
Role: Graduate Research Assistant — July 2025 – Present.
NSF Graduate RA SupportDepartment of Electrical & Computer Engineering, The University of Alabama
Course: ECE 380 — Digital Logic
Duration: Spring 2023 – Ongoing
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University Bangladesh
Duration: Aug 2022 – Dec 2022
Unipolar Automation, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Duration: January 2021 – July 2022