“Faster, Better, Smarter, Greener”. Communicating the advantages of maglev and hyperloop systems.
by Alan James of Expert Alliance

Distilling his experience leading a number of maglev and hyperloop projects, Dr Alan James will illustrate how the technical and engineering proposition must be communicated as part of a comprehensive policy, commercial, economic and environmental case, and must be ‘packaged’ suitably for legislative and project finance purposes. Alan will reflect on his experience of one-on-ones at Heads Of Government and corporate C-Suite level, and upon how to ‘translate’ a fundamentally technology-based proposition into a ‘story which has legs’ for lay policymaker, business and public audiences. Alan’s presentation will focus in particular on how the UK came very close to building a 500 km/h maglev route in 2008-2010, and how a coordinated EU programme is currently developing, demonstrating and derisking key electromagnetic technologies required for 1,000 km ultrafast ground transport.

Magnetic levitation for high-speed motor-generators
by Leigh Stanger of NEMA Ltd

NEMA are developing active magnetic bearings for high-speed aerospace applications in collaboration with the University of Nottingham. Active magnetic bearings are not a new technology, advances in magnetic materials, power electronics, high speed processing architecture and control theory mean that there is significant scope for innovation and improvement in performance. An actuator design validation results are presented, our rotordynamics validation and control development rig is described.

PEMD Funding Opportunities
by Sven Knowles of Innovate UK Business Connect

The transition to electrification is accelerating, and with it comes a growing demand for innovation in Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD). This presentation will explore the latest funding opportunities available to support UK businesses and organisations in advancing PEMD technologies and supply chains. Discover how Innovate UK Business Connect is enabling organisations to connect innovation with opportunity, access support, and form strategic collaboration

Modular Machine Design: An overview of Newcastle’s Future Electric Machines Manufacturing Hub Research
by Glynn Atkinson of Newcastle University

Within the Future Electric Machines Manufacturing Hub, Newcastle University have been focussing on using a modular design approach to machine design, assembly and construction. In this talk we will give an overview of the thermal, mechanical, magnetic, assembly and circular economy advantages and disadvantages of taking a modular approach in electrical machines.

Alloy development of a new family of high performing and processible electrical steels for high frequency applications.
by Carl Slater of WMG, University of Warwick

WMG have developed a new family of alloy specifically with the aim of reducing loss at high frequencies as well as improved strength. This has been achieved whilst allowing conventional processing routes the same, compared to siliconisation and other techniques currently used. Whilst already having a >30% reduction in the loss compared to a conventional M250-35A steel, this new family of alloys tailoring of strength amongst other parameter which in turn allows for new laminate design to give further reduction in overall losses of the motor.

Radial Force Control in Electrical Drives: Advances in Bearingless Technologies
by Michele Degano of University of Nottingham

This presentation offers a comprehensive overview of radial force control in electrical drives, with a focus on the advancements in bearingless drive technologies. The discussion begins with an introduction to the background and motivation behind the transition from traditional mechanical bearings to bearingless systems, emphasizing the benefits of reduced friction, enhanced reliability, and extended operational lifespan, particularly in high-speed and precision applications. The presentation then delves into the key challenges associated with bearingless drives, including the need for precise radial force control, minimizing losses, and addressing electromagnetic and thermal constraints. A detailed exploration of various bearingless drive architectures is provided, covering both passive and active levitation techniques, as well as advanced multi-phase control strategies. Example research projects and case studies are presented, highlighting experimental results and performance evaluations that demonstrate significant improvements in efficiency, dynamic response, and overall system robustness. Finally, the talk outlines future research directions and potential industrial applications, emphasizing the critical role of advanced control methodologies and power electronics in the continued optimization of bearingless drive technologies.

Optimisation in the Loop for Advancing Axial Flux Motor Technology
by Puvan Arumugam of Turntide

This presentation focuses on the key design processes involved in the development of axial flux motors, with an emphasis on optimization techniques that enhance performance, efficiency, and compactness. It will explore how electromagnetic design, thermal management, mechanical structure, and material selection are systematically optimized to achieve high power density and reliability.

Best friends: High Speed Motors and Magnetic Bearings
by Hubert Mitterhofer of Linz Center of Mechatronics GmbH [LCM]

High-speed motors are gaining in importance for applications in industry, aerospace, and mobility. The bearing requirements are often dominated by high lifetime, low maintenance, oil-free operation, and rotordynamic stability. Along with other options like aerodynamic bearings, magnetic bearings pose an interesting option. The presentation will give an overview about existing technologies and discuss potentials and risks associated

Trading automotive cost for aerospace performance – the evolution of YASA topology for aerospace market
by Natalia Narozanska of Evolito

Presenting Evolito’s transformative journey rethinking the yolk less and segmented armature PMSM for aerospace demands . From a machine optimized by YASA Ltd for the automotive market to the certification - ready, lighter and more robust motor already sweeping the skies, we’ll share our key design decisions and their trade offs . You’ll hear about the blessings and pains of halbach arrays, challenges with stator segregation and how much difference the high - end materials really make to the aircraft . We’ll share with you our insights into the more - electric aviation market and how at Evolito we’re making our mark in the skies

Progress in Additive Manufacturing of Electrical Machine Windings
by Dominic North of University of Bristol

Additive Manufacturing of electrical machine windings offers unparalleled geometric freedom and with it, the opportunity to redefine how we design and fabricate conductors, for improved performance. This talk gives an overview of progress in the field across the end-to-end digital design and manufacturing process chain from software design tools to application of electrical insulation.

Aspects of Using Active Magnetic Bearing (AMB) System in High-Speed Rotating Machinery with 1MW Turbo Blower Example
by Nikita Uzhegov of SpinDrive

How active magnetic bearings can bring benefits to high-speed machinery and reduce total cost of ownership. Design and commissioning process of AMBs with an example of 1 MW turbo blower operating over a year in a pulp and paper factory in Turkey.

Metal-bonded NdFeB magnets: An entirely new magnet grade with outstanding mechanical properties
by Ted Tsoulos of EPoS Technologies SA

Metal bonded magnets, an entirely new magnet grade is realized by EPoS Technologies SA electro-sinter forging production method. We are presenting titanium-bonded NdFeB magnets that combine neodymium’s magnetic strength with the toughness and durability of Titanium. Boasting high tensile strength, high coercivity and exceptional impact and corrosion resistance, these magnet grades overcome the traditional trade-offs between sintered and bonded magnets. This unlocks new design opportunities for high-speed spindles, rugged electric motors, sensors operating in vibration-heavy environments and mission-critical magnet systems requiring mechanical reliability.

High Performance, Rare Earth Magnet Free Motors: A Commercial Reality
by James Widmer of AEM

Halbach Magnets: From Precision to Large-Scale Production
by Iulian Teliban of Magnetfabrik Bonn GmbH

Achieving a uniform magnetic field is essential for high-precision sensor applications. Common dipole setups, like diametral disks or rings, often suffer from field distortion due to nearby magnetizable materials, compromising sensor accuracy. Halbach arrays offer a better solution by concentrating the magnetic field on one side while canceling it on the other, reducing external interference and enhancing measurement precision. This makes them ideal for applications demanding high accuracy, stability and field homogeneity. Magnetfabrik Bonn has pioneered a novel technology that enables direct magnetization of a simple ring into a Halbach configuration—eliminating the need for complex assembly and enabling efficient, large-scale production.

Magnetics at the Wheel: Advanced Motor Innovations for In-Wheel Propulsion
by Özge Taşkın of Protean Electric

In-wheel motor (IWM) technology represents a significant leap forward in vehicle electrification, offering unique advantages in packaging, performance, and drivetrain flexibility. This talk will explore the advanced electromagnetic design principles behind Protean Electric’s in-wheel motors, highlighting innovations in magnetic topology, thermal management, and system integration. By examining real-world applications and performance metrics, we will uncover how these cutting-edge motors are reshaping the future of electric mobility and enabling smarter, more efficient vehicle architectures.

Cryogenic Electric Machines: Advancing Decarbonisation in Air Transport and Power Generation
by Hongye Zhang of University of Edinburgh

Cryogenic electric machines - including superconducting and hyperconducting types - can dramatically enhance both power density and efficiency compared to conventional electric machines. The speaker has been engaging with the ATI/GKN Aerospace H2GEAR project to develop hyperconducting propulsion motors for hydrogen-powered electric aircraft and the Royal Academy of Engineering SuperMachine project to develop superconducting wind turbine generators. The talk will primarily highlight the state-of-the-art developments in cryogenic electric machinery and explore their applications in both Air Transport (high speed) and Power Generation (low speed).

Considering Manufacturing Effects in Electrical Machine Simulation With JMAG
by Zoltán Nádudvari of POWERSYS

The electrification of the transportation industry demands the development of power-dense electrical machines that combine high efficiency, optimal material usage, and accelerated time-to-market—critical factors in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving landscape. This creates a significant challenge for design engineers, who are under pressure to shorten development cycles and minimize design iteration loops. A major contributor to these iterations stems from the early use of idealized geometries and material properties, often adjusted through empirical scaling factors. These simplifications, while expedient, typically require extensive tuning during physical testing, leading to unnecessary redesigns and additional prototyping costs. In this presentation, we will explore how these challenges manifest in real-world projects and demonstrate how advanced simulation with JMAG can account for manufacturing realities and material behavior from the very beginning of the design process. By integrating realistic constraints early on, engineers can significantly reduce development time, improve accuracy, and bring more reliable products to market faster.

The Design, Development and High - Volume Production of Closed - Slot Continuous Winding ( CSCW ) Motors
by Alex Michaelides of HiSpeed Ltd

We present the design, development and route to high - volume manufacture of a high - performance embedded PM motor . The motor stat or has a novel continuous winding , in a closed - slot configuration, designed for a water or ( fully - immersed ) oil - cooled automotive trac t ion application . The presentation describes the advantages in the design that contribute to a competitive efficiency chart . The methodology of construction and aspects of automation in manufacture are presented , which enabled a high - tech unit to enter high volume - production in September 2024 , at a very competitive unit - cost and contributing to a class - leading efficient EV

Time Periodic Motor Modelling with COMSOL
by Joseph Scott of COMSOL

In this presentation, we will discuss the Time Periodic magnetic modelling, a new numerical method which was recently added to COMSOL Multiphysics®. This method enables direct computation of the time periodic steady state electromagnetic fields in a motor, and has applications to fully-coupled Multiphysics simulations, efficiency maps and optimization. We will overview how this method works and how it is implemented in COMSOL Multiphysics®, before discussing its advantages for magnetic machine simulations.