Professor Pawel Niewczas

Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Personal statement

Professor Pawel Niewczas leads the Advanced Sensors Team within the Institute for Energy and Environment at the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde. His main research interests centre on the advancement of photonic sensing methods and systems integration in applications that lie predominantly in power and energy sectors. He has carried out a unique portfolio of research programmes, generally focusing on optical and fibre based sensors, addressing such issues as sensor design, fabrication, packaging, deployment, and interrogation in challenging environments. The applications of his research include such areas as power system metering and protection; wind turbine structural health monitoring; downhole pressure, temperature, voltage and current measurement; and sensing in nuclear fission and fusion environments. He has published over 100 technical papers in this area and holds 4 granted patents. Externally, he is a co-founder and R&D Director of the spin-out company Synaptec.

Professor Niewczas is Director of the Graduate School in the EEE Department. He is also Director of the Electrical Power and Energy Systems (EPES) MSc Course.

Professor Niewczas is open to PhD project supervision for candidates interested in the above research domain.

Expertise

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Area of Expertise

Sensor development

Development of spectrally encoded sensor devices exploiting intrinsic and hybrid sensing mechanisms
Development of fibre-to-metal bonds, seals and fabrication techniques
Fundamental research in the area of materials science

Sensor instrumentation and metrology

High frequency measurements
Static measurements
Nano-ε resolution measurements
Extended step-out and multiplexed systems
Integrated photonics, low-cost/high-performance FBG interrogation techniques

Measurement capabilities

temperature, strain (static & dynamic), pressure
magnetic/ electric fields, voltage, current, bend

Delivery of industrially focussed projects

Good understanding of industry needs
Experience of projects with tight timescales and tangible outcomes

Professor Niewczas is open to PhD project supervision for candidates interested in the above research domain.

Prize And Awards

"Highly Commended" title awarded to Synaptec Ltd and University of Strathclyde at the IET Innovation Awards 2014: Recipient; 19/11/2014
Winner in the "Best University Technology" category at the Fourth Annual UK Energy Innovation Awards 2014: Recipient; 24/4/2014

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Publications

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Publications

Self-powered signal conditioning circuit for an HVDC optical current sensor: Amiolemen Alfred, Fusiek Grzegorz, Niewczas Pawel; IEEE Sensors Letters Vol 7 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1109/LSENS.2023.3311676
Extended characterization of an optical sag sensor for high-temperature low-sag lines: Singh Himanshi, Fusiek Grzegorz, Niewczas Pawel; IEEE Sensors Letters Vol 7, pp. 1-4 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1109/lsens.2023.3300810
Temperature and force characterization of an optical sag sensor for overhead line monitoring: Fusiek Grzegorz, Singh Himanshi, Niewczas Pawel; IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC 2023) (2023)
Development of Fiber Bragg grating strain amplification sensor for use in nuclear power plants: Marston Jack, Fusiek Grzegorz, Niewczas Pawel, Guo Jiansong; 2023 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC) IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC 2023) (2023)
Design and implementation of a passive autoranging circuit for hybrid FBG-PZT photonic current transducer: Mir Burhan, Niewczas Pawel, Fusiek Grzegorz; Sensors (Switzerland) Vol 23 (2023); https://doi.org/10.3390/s23010551
Photonic combined current and voltage transformers - demonstration for the Nepalese grid: Clayburn Lloyd, Blair S, Gordon N, Fusiek G, Niewczas P, Heid T, Jianu R, Munro P, McFarlane G, Shakya B B, Maharjan R, Paudel S; CIGRE Session 2022 (2022)

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Teaching

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Teaching

Teaching Responsibilities:

EE108/19260 Electrical Circuits
EE269 Electronic & Electrical Principles II
EE986 Professional Studies
Final Year Project/MSc/MPhil/PhD/EngD Student Supervisor

Teaching Administration Responsibilities:

Graduate School Deputy Director
Director of the Electrical Power Engineering with Business (EPEwB) MSc Course
Academic Selector for the MSc Course in EEE
Member of the Courses & Teaching Working Group
Member of the 1st and 2nd Year Teaching and Learning Groups
Member of the Faculty Board of Study
UCAS Interviewer

Research

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Research Interests

Development and application of photonic sensors within power and energy industries, including such areas as power system metering and protection; wind turbine structural health monitoring; gas turbine monitoring; downhole and subsea pressure, temperature voltage and current measurement; sensing in nuclear fission and fusion environments; and other sensing applications.

Research interest in intrinsic and hybrid fibre-optic sensors; sensor design, fabrication, encapsulation and deployment; sensor networks and interrogation techniques; signal processing and communication.

Professor Niewczas is open to PhD project supervision for candidates interested in the above research domain.