Hirofumi Akagi

Hirofumi Akagi (born in Okayama, Japan) is a Japanese electrical engineer and Distinguished Emeritus Professor at the Institute of Science Tokyo. He specializes in power electronics and power conversion systems. He developed the three-level neutral-point-clamped PWM inverters and the three-phase instantaneous power theory, commonly known as p-q theory.

Early life and education Akagi was born and raised in Okayama, Japan, where his father worked for the Japanese National Railways. Growing up with exposure to railway technology, including steam locomotives and electric trains, he later developed an interest in power conversion systems for transportation applications.

Akagi then pursued graduate studies at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, where he earned a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering in March 1976 and a Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering in March 1979. His research journey in power electronics began during his graduate studies, initially focusing on "control and harmonic analysis of line-commutated cycloconverters using thyristors."

Awards and distinctions 2025:Elected to the US National Academy of Engineering 2018: IEEE Power Medal Award 2008: IEEE Richard Harold Kaufmann Award Four IEEE Transactions Prize Paper Awards 2001: IEEE William E. Newell Power Electronics Award 1996: IEEE Fellowship