A team of scientists at Texas A&M University has made a major breakthrough in developing more sustainable and efficient electric motors without relying on rare earths . This project seeks to replace expensive and difficult-to-obtain materials, such as neodymium magnets, with copper, an abundant and much more accessible resource.
The search for an alternative to rare earths
Rare earths, while essential for the electric motors that power electric vehicles , aircraft and wind turbines, pose a number of challenges. Mining these materials is expensive and polluting , and they are controlled by just a few countries, putting the stability of the global supply chain at risk. This has led researchers to search for alternative materials that offer the same capabilities without the environmental and economic drawbacks.
Instead of continuing to rely on rare materials, researchers have proposed using copper, a much more abundant and easily obtained metal. This shift has the potential to transform the electric propulsion industry , by reducing the costs and environmental impact associated with rare earth mining.
The project, titled “ Advancing electric vehicle propulsion: Development of high-power rare earth-free electric motors ,” led by Dr. Dorsa Talebi and Dr. Hamid Toliyat, has already produced promising results . After running simulations and building prototypes, the team has shown that copper electric motors can compete in terms of power and performance with traditional rare earth-based motors.
A step towards commercialization
The team has received significant funding of nearly $500,000 through Texas A&M University’s Advancing Discovery to Market program. This funding is intended to bring the project closer to commercialization, with the goal of creating a cost-effective, efficient and sustainable alternative for the automotive industry, renewable energy and other sectors that rely on electric propulsion.
With patents already issued and patent applications in progress, the team plans to launch their own company to bring this technology to market. The research also features the collaboration of Dr. Alan Palazzolo, another leading researcher at Texas A&M University, who brings his expertise in mechanical engineering to this project.
Implications for the automotive industry and beyond
The automotive industry is one of the most affected by the use of rare earths in the manufacture of electric motors. With the growing demand for electric and hybrid vehicles , the need for sustainable alternatives is more urgent than ever.
Furthermore, this breakthrough has the potential to extend to other applications, such as wind turbines and public transport systems, representing an important step towards a greener future that is less dependent on limited resources.
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Source and photos: Texas A&M University
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