[Xist]

A young engineer called Robert Sansone won the first prize, and winnings of $75,000, at this year's Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world's largest international high school STEM competition.

As per Smithsonian Magazine, his new invention could one day transform the electric vehicle (EV) industry. It is a synchronous reluctance motor with improved performance over previous models.

Typically these types of motors are used for pumps and fans, but they aren't powerful enough for EVs. Sansone's new model improves the torque of these motors, which don't require costly and often unethically sourced rare-earth metals.

BMW and Mahle have been working on rare-earth-free magnets.

Sansone's motor uses a different type of design. Synchronous reluctance motors use a steel rotor, with air gaps cut into it, aligned with a rotating magnetic field. The motor generates a magnetic field using magnetic reluctance. Sansone tweaked the typical synchronous reluctance motor design by removing the air gaps to incorporate another magnetic field by adding more materials. Unfortunately, he hasn't yet disclosed any more information as he is hoping to patent his design.

At 750 RPM, it showed 37 percent greater efficiency. Sansone couldn't test his motor at a higher RPM due to the fact that the plastic prototype would melt. Now that he's gained acclaim and attention for his design, he will hopefully be able to run tests on a fully functional motor prototype using more sturdy materials.

https://interestingengineering.com/i...sustainable-ev