WKU's SEAS Faculty and Staff

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept. of Electrical Engineering, University of Calgary, Canada
• Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, University of Calgary, Canada
• Master of Business Administration (MBA), Michigan State University, MI

Dr. Farhad Ashrafzadeh is a research leader in the development of system-level energy-efficient systems and products. He has over 24 years of industry and academic experience in the conceptualization, development, technology transfer, and commercialization of new products and products' features. He is a holder of 70+ granted patents, which are currently used in commercial products.

Dr. Farhad Ashrafzadeh has a proven record of research contracts and grants with a total amount of $1.7M as of 2020. He is the recipient of numerous awards. Dr. Ashrafzadeh became the recipient of the WKU University Faculty Award in Research and Creativity,-- the highest research award at the university level. He received the first prestigious University Award on Innovation and Impact on Outstanding Corporate-Sponsored Research presented by WKU President in 2018. He is also the recipient of the 2019 WKU One-Million Dollars Grant Club Award. In 2020,

Dr. Farhad Ashrafzadeh was the Keynote Speaker for "IEEE International Electrical Machines and Drives Conference" San Antonio, Texas, in 2005. He also served as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Transaction on Industrial Electronics from 2002 to 2006. He has been a faculty associate at the Indiana University at South Bend, an adjunct professor for Western Michigan University (WMU), a member of the External Advisory Board for the College of Science and Engineering at Andrews University and WMU, invited speaker for various universities and IEEE sections, and the chair and session organizer for several IEEE conferences. He is a trained innovation mentor and a certified Six-Sigma Black-Belt Engineer. His scholarly interests include

• System optimization through multi-physics modeling and analysis
• Development of energy-efficient systems and products
• System-level Real-time diagnostics, prognosis, and performance improvement
• Advanced power electronics and motor drives from design to commercialization
• Custom prototyping and advanced test-bed development
• Autonomous systems
• Engineering education

• Professor, School of Engineering, WKU, 2020 – Present

• Associate Professor, School of Engineering, WKU, 2016 – 2020
• Assistant Professor, School of Engineering, WKU, 2012 – 2016
• Founder and Director of the “Center for Energy Systems,” WKU, 2018 – Present
• Endowed Chair in Energy Systems, SEAS, WKU, 2013 – Present
• Global Tech. Manager for Electrical Drives and Control, Whirlpool R&D Center, 2005 – 2012
• Global Intellectual Property Manager, Whirlpool Electronics, 2007 – 2009
• Global System & Technology Leader, Whirlpool R&D Center, 2005 – 2007
• Power Electronics and Electrical Drives Specialist, Whirlpool R&D Center, 1997 – 2005
• Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Calgary,1996 – 1999

• Awarded ~$1.7M research grants out of which more than ~$1.15M comes from highly competitive corporate-sponsored research contracts from world-class companies, ~$400k from NSF research funds, and $152k from internal WKU contracts/grants, 2020
• Received prestigious University Faculty Award in Research and Creativity, WKU, 2020
• Received the prestigious WKU One-Million Dollars Grant Club Award, 2019
• Received the first prestigious University Award on Innovation and Impact on Outstanding Corporate-Sponsored Research presented by WKU President & Provost, 2018 
• Founded the first research center (Center for Energy Systems) at SEAS, WKU, 2018
• Received the Ogden College Junior Faculty Award for Teaching, WKU, 2015.
• Appointed as the Greulich Chair in Energy Systems; Presented by WKU President, 2014.
• Served as Associate Editor for IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics (Imp. Fac.: 7.05), 2002-2006
•  Keynote Speaker “IEEE International Elect. Machines and Drives Conf.”, San Antonio, TX, 2005
• Awarded Certified Sig-Sigma Black Belt Engineer, 2005
• Awarded Micronet Postdoctoral fellowship, Dept. of Electrical Eng., University of Calgary, 1997
• Invited speaker for International Workshop on Soft Computing for Industry, Muroran, Japan, 1996
• Ranked first in Master Program in Elect. and Comp. Eng., University of Sci. and Tech., Iran, 1990
• Ranked first in nation in qualification exam for Ph.D. program in Electrical Engineering, Iran, 1989

Granted Patents (Selected)

Inventor and co-inventor of 70+ granted patents in system-level optimization, real-time adaptive control, energy-efficient residential appliances, smart grid-enabled appliances, advanced electrical drives, and power electronics. 

https://www.freepatentsonline.com/result.html?sort=relevance&srch=top&query_txt=farhad+ashrafzadeh&submit=&patents_us=on

• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20130340450 On-line energy optimization adaptive to envi. conditions
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20130160219 Efficient energy usage for a laundry appliance
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20110016738 Laundry treating appliance via controlled mechanical energy
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20140123514 Laundry treating appliance with tumble pattern control
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20080120789 Clothes bunching detection for an automatic washer
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20080109967 Tangling detection for an automatic washer
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100205824 Laundry treating appliance with fluffing-state detectio
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20080115295 Mechanical action estimation for washing machines
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20080120790 Adaptive water level adjustment for an automatic washer
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20090314801 Hands-free, controlled auto-fill for a dispenser
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100101317 Lid based amount sensor
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100106626 System and method for tracking inventory history
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100205820 Laundry treating appliance with load surface area detection
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100205823 Laundry treating appliance with fluffing-state imaging control
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100205825 Laundry treating appliance with bulky item detection
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100205826 Laundry treating appliance with imaging control
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100263136 Method and apparatus for determining laundry load size
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20090314016 Ice imaging system
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100046793 Ice quality sensing system employing digital imaging
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100102959 Modular attribute sensing device
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100106446 Attribute sensing processes
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100106624 Method of inventory management
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100106521 Consumables inventory management method
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100155415 Select fill sensor system for refrigerator dispensers
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20130174353 laundry treating appliance with reciprocating movement
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100106446 Attribute sensing processes
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20100102959 Modular attribute sensing device
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20140057214 Boil and boil-dry detection methods for cooking appliances
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., US20120138092 Dishwasher with imaging device for load characterization
• Farhad Ashrafzadeh, et al., EP2607542A2 Maximizing drum speed by continuously monitoring inertia