Electric Motor Power (EMP) Pty Ltd will collaborate with researchers from the University of Adelaide (UoA) to develop high performance and sustainable electric motors, supported by project funding from Defence Trailblazer’s Accelerating Sovereign Industrial Capabilities (ASIC) program.
Electric motors (EMs) are essential for autonomous vehicles across air, land and sea domains. Current EM manufacturing predominantly relies on materials such as lamination steel and copper, which can result in heavier motors with lower efficiency. The materials are also associated with significant environmental impacts.
This project will integrate advanced materials – such as amorphous magnetic materials and soft magnetic composites – into EM design to enhance efficiency, power density and sustainability. The approach aims to create lighter, more efficient, and eco-friendly motors.
Two of EMP’s electric motors
EMP will develop the capabilities for local design, testing and production of the EMs, while aiming to achieve significant performance benefits with the use of the advanced materials. The company will work with materials science and electrical engineering experts at the UoA.
Associate Professor Wen Soong, the project’s Chief Investigator, remarked, “This team has actively collaborated with EMP on different projects since October 2022, and are keen on expanding their collaborations using this project to develop a long-term relationship.”
EMP is uniquely positioned to deliver this project, with advanced manufacturing equipment and prototyping capabilities for real-world application and testing.
The EMP advanced manufacturing facilities
The project directly aligns with the Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities (SDIPs) by advancing Australia’s capabilities in high-performance EM manufacturing, which is critical for the development and integration of autonomous systems (SDIP 5). The vast majority of EMs for this industry are foreign-based and foreign-owned, which reinforces the value of developing sovereign EMs.
EMP Director Charles Matheou stated, “EMP has a wealth of experience in novel EM design and manufacturing. The combined expertise, experience, and resources of the project team positions us to successfully develop and commercialize high-efficiency EMs using novel materials, thereby contributing significantly to Australia’s sovereign defence industrial priorities.”
For more information, visit the EMP website.
