The market for low-cost electric motor drives is reaching into new industries such as renewable energy and land, marine, and aerospace vehicular power systems. Electric machines are designed with standard analytical models that mostly use simplified two-dimensional magnetic circuits. Modern electric drives concept shifts the complexity of the electric machine into power electronics and control strategies. However, engineers are now required to think in terms of long-term sustainability and environmental efficiency, which demand innovative and unconventional solutions. A design for machines that does not use iron in the construction is a revolutionary solution. The magnetic flux of an iron-less machine is the function of all three dimensions; the novelty of which relies in the control of the attractive and repulsive forces developed between permanent magnets and energized coils. The complexity of the distinctive magnetic circuit is modeled using a finite element method and the wealth of adjustable parameters enables custom designs optimized for different applications.

At this stage, the research team is simultaneously testing the first prototype and creating new designs, which are unique to address specific applications. For example, wind turbines, flywheel energy storage systems, in-wheel traction motors, and integrated stator generators for vehicles can all utilize the proposed technology. The new designs also take into consideration manufacturing capabilities and market demands ensuring that products developed based on this technology can be affordable and produced in mass quantity with relative simplicity.

Nikola Milivojevic and Igor Stamenkovic grew up in Serbia, a small country in southeastern Europe. They met as undergraduates at the University of Belgrade, where they received their B.S. and M.S. degrees. Working as research assistants at the University of Belgrade’s Laboratory of Electrical Drives, they conducted several projects including designing multi-axis robot controls, electric vehicles, and renewable energy system controls, while leading several international student projects. They also lectured and moderated several international IEEE Regional Workshops in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

In 2004, they formed a team of students to compete in the IEEE International Future Energy Challenge, which was chaired by Dr. Ali Emadi – the event changed their careers drastically. The objective of the competition was to design and build a single-phase adjustable speed electric motor drive for home appliances. The team, led by Igor and Nikola, entered their MiniDrive prototype into the competition and subsequently were invited to the final competition in Chicago. Their MiniDrive received the First Place at the final competition, boasting the best performance results while only requiring a mass production cost of $40 per unit. The team was also awarded the national prize for innovation.

As the final presentation event of the competition was held at IIT, Nikola and Igor visited Dr. Emadi’s research lab and were impressed. Because of their excellent performance and presentation at the competition, Dr. Emadi invited Nikola and Igor to IIT to research and re-imagine electric machines as part of their Ph.D. work. Their research focus is to find new ways to utilize electric machines and build them from the scratch using novel and unconventional designs. Their research will address the commercial and industrial need for low-cost electric motor drives in emerging industries such as renewable energy systems and hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.