Dr Subhas Mukhopadhyay is a Professor of Mechanical/Electronics Engineering in the School of Engineering at Macquarie University. He is the Discipline Leader of the Mechatronics Engineering Program, the Director of International Engagement for the School of Engineering, and is a researcher in the Smart Green Cities Research Centre. His fields of interest include sensors and sensing technology, instrumentation, wireless sensor networks, Internet of Things, mechatronics and robotics, and drones.

Tell me about your interest in sensors and sensing technology. How did you get involved in these areas, and why?

From a young age, I have had a natural interest in sensors, which became more focused during my PhD research in India. My research investigated the effects of unbalanced and distortion supply on the performance of induction motors, particularly their hot-spot temperature. I developed a modelling algorithm to predict the thermal condition of the motor however, real-time validation posed challenges. To overcome this, I inserted silicon diodes inside the slots of the motors to measure the real-time conductor temperature using the voltage drop across the diodes, without needing to stop the motor. This initial focus evolved into designing and fabricating new sensors for material characterisation, food, environmental monitoring and industrial applications.

What’s been your most rewarding achievement or moment in your research career?

There have been several incidents throughout my career that, upon reflection are both joyful and deeply satisfactory. The first notable one was an invitation by an Indian company in 1994 to provide guidance on motor design. An image of the developed sensor of my research was featured on the front cover of the IEEE Sensors Journal in 2004. However, the most rewarding milestone in my career was my elevation to IEEE Fellow grade in 2011, with the citation “for development of low-cost smart sensors and sensing systems.”

What more are you hoping to achieve in your career?

I have a vibrant and dynamic research group, focused on various areas of sensors and sensing technologies. Our primary motivation is to design, develop, and fabricate low-cost and high-performance sensors for different challenging applications. We are also exploring applications of sensors for robotics and drones related applications by developing advanced interfacing electronics and smart algorithms to contribute to advancements in science and technology.

Why is what you do important?

I believe that high-quality research activities are crucial for advancing science and engineering. Alongside research and development efforts, it is equally important to cultivate skilled and talented researchers by passing knowledge to the upcoming generations who can make significant contributions to the Australian economy.

Meet the researcher: Dr Subhas Mukhopadhyay