UW-Madison researchers have successfully developed an electric motor using 3D printing technology, paving the way for future electric motors to more efficiently use electricity without sacrificing power.
The prototype, which uses a higher-percentage silicon electrical steel that reduces energy losses, was designed as part of a collaboration between UW-Madison post-doctoral research assistant FNU Nishanth and Alexander Goodall, a Ph.D. based at England’s University of Sheffield, and their advisors, Eric Severson and Iain Todd.
The prototype design consists of a stator, a circular-shaped object with prongs that wires can be wrapped around them and turned inside the core of a motor to create an electrical field. The biggest design difference between the prototype and traditional stators can be seen in the prongs themselves, as they feature an intricate design of thin geometric lines meant to reduce energy loss.