[TC Webinar] A Rare-earth Free Electrical Machine Solution for Auxiliary Applications
Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 2:00 PM CET, 8:00 AM ET
By Johan Åström (Aros Electronics, Sweden), David Deurell (Aros Electronics, Sweden), Shafigh Nategh (Chair of IEEE IES Electrical Machines Technical Committee)
Register now using the link below:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9059456197088543069
Abstract:
Rare-earth-free machine technologies are gaining attention for sustainable and cost-effective electric drive solutions. An Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) machine using ferrite magnets is a promising option for auxiliary applications such as compressors in vehicles. Ferrite magnets are abundant and inexpensive compared to rare-earth magnets. The IPM rotor embeds ferrite magnets and utilizes reluctance torque alongside magnet torque to improve efficiency. Although ferrite magnets have lower flux density, optimized rotor geometry and flux barriers help compensate. Challenges include susceptibility to demagnetization under different temperatures and strong armature reactions, requiring advanced rotor design, thermal management, and control strategies. IPM machines with ferrite magnets deliver good performance at moderate speeds, making them suitable where compactness and efficiency matter more than extreme torque density.
Another rare-earth-free alternative is the Externally Excited Synchronous Machine (EESM), which eliminates permanent magnets entirely by using an electrically excited rotor winding. EESMs offer full control of rotor flux and avoid rare-earth dependency but require slip rings or brushless excitation systems, adding complexity. They provide high efficiency and torque capability, making them ideal for traction and auxiliary applications prioritizing sustainability and supply chain resilience.
Presenters’ bio:
Johan Åström is an electric machine specialist and Senior Research Engineer working at Aros Electronics as Senior Design Engineer. In parallel, he works with Hagnesia AB on advanced electrified drive-system development, spanning motor design, performance optimization, and technical review. Johan holds a PhD in Electric Power Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology and brings a combined industry-and-academia background with a strongly execution-focused, analytical approach to engineering delivery.
David Deurell received the M.Sc. degree in electric power engineering with a focus on electric machine design from Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden, in 2019. His master’s thesis, titled “FEA Study of Proximity Effect in Hairpin Windings of a PMSM for Automotive Applications,” focused on finite-element analysis of proximity effects and AC losses in PMSM. Since 2019, he has been with Aros Electronics AB, where he has been involved in development of electric motors. He is currently Team Leader for motor development, leading work covering the full development scope, including electromagnetic design, material selection, manufacturing processes, and production.
Shafigh Nategh (Senior Member, IEEE) was born in 1984. He received the Ph.D. degree in electric power engineering from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, in 2013. He was a Visiting Scholar with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA, from 2012 to 2013. From 2013 to 2015, he was a Lead Designer of PM machines for marine segment with the Rolls-Royce Group, Trondheim, Norway. He continued his career as a Designer of traction motors for railway applications with Bombardier Transportation, Västerås, Sweden, from 2015 to 2018. During this period, he was also a guest researcher at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. Shafigh was a R&D Senior Engineer with E-mobility Department, ABB AB, Västerås, Sweden, in 2018–2020, and Principal Engineer with Volvo Cars, Göteborg, Sweden, in 2020-2022. In parallel to his industrial roles, Shafigh held a position as Adjunct Associate Professor at Chalmers University of Technology. He has also been Senior Principal Engineer and also Manager of Electric Drive Unit with Polestar, Göteborg, Sweden. Since August 2023, he is Founder and CEO of SEDRIVE, a start-up company located in Göteborg, Sweden, which its mission is contribution in the development of environmentally friendly, efficient and costeffective electric drive units. Shafigh after serving as secretary of IEEE IES Electrical Machines Technical Committee, 2021-2022 and Vice-chair, 2023-2024, is currently the Chair of IEEE IES Electrical Machines Technical Committee. He serves also as Associate Editor of IEEE Transaction on Industrial Electronics, and technical Chair/Co-chair of several electrical machine conferences in Europe and North America including ICEM, IECON, IEMDC, ONCON and ISIE. Shafigh has been also appointed as the industry Liaison of IEEE IES Electrical Machines. His research interests include different aspects of propulsion system design in e-mobility, marine, aerospace and railway applications with focus on electric drive unit.