ENERGY SAVING ELECTRIC MOTORS MAY BE CLOSE AT HAND

University of Adelaide Researchers Develop Electric Motors Up to 70% More Efficient

Researchers at the University of Adelaide, Australia, have developed a way to make electric motors up to 70 per cent more energy efficient. The team used two new magnetic materials and manufacturing techniques to create patented water pump systems that are highly efficient and have the potential for widespread application.

According to lead researcher Associate Professor Nesimi Ertugrul, “In the developed world, more than 50 per cent of all energy generated is used by electrical motors.” A large proportion of these motors are used to power water pumps, which are found practically everywhere, from swimming pools to major industry. Improving the efficiency of such motors would save a significant amount of energy.

The scientists at the University of Adelaide used two emerging magnetic materials, known as soft magnetic composite (SMC) and amorphous magnetic material (AMM), coupled with new manufacturing techniques to fashion the ‘stator’ within the electric motor. The project represented a successful collaboration between the university and Electric Motor Solutions (IEMS) Pty Ltd.