Futuristic electric vehicle motor with swirling magnetic flux lines

Supercharged Motors: How Magnetization Tech Could Revolutionize Electric Vehicles

Kai Mendoza in Tech & Innovation September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Scientists are cracking the code to 'flux-weakening control,' paving the way for EVs with longer ranges and boosted performance."

The race to build better electric vehicles (EVs) is on, and a key battleground is motor performance. One of the biggest challenges is achieving a wide speed range while maintaining high torque, especially with a fixed voltage source. Imagine an EV that can effortlessly cruise at highway speeds and still deliver instant acceleration when you need it. That’s the promise of new research exploring innovative motor control techniques.

Traditional permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs), commonly used in EVs, face limitations in extending their speed range due to their fixed magnetic field. To overcome this, engineers have developed 'flux-weakening control' methods. These techniques essentially reduce the motor's magnetic field strength at high speeds, allowing it to spin faster without exceeding the voltage limits. However, these methods often come with a trade-off: increased energy loss and reduced efficiency.

Now, a team of scientists is exploring a different approach: manipulating the magnetization state of the motor itself. This groundbreaking technique could unlock new levels of performance and efficiency in EV motors, paving the way for longer ranges and more responsive driving experiences. Let's dive into the science behind this exciting development.

Memory Machines: A New Frontier in Motor Control

Futuristic electric vehicle motor with swirling magnetic flux lines

The core of this innovation lies in a special type of motor called a 'memory machine' (MM). Unlike traditional motors with fixed magnets, memory machines use materials whose magnetization can be actively controlled. By changing the magnetization state of these materials, engineers can precisely regulate the motor's magnetic field, optimizing it for different speed ranges and driving conditions. This ability to directly control the magnetic flux opens up possibilities for wider speed range operation without the efficiency penalties associated with traditional flux-weakening methods.

The specific design being explored is a 'hybrid permanent magnet axial field flux-switching memory machine' (HPM-AFFSMM). This complex name breaks down into several key features:

Hybrid Design: Combines two types of permanent magnets, leveraging their strengths for enhanced torque and stable magnetic performance.
Axial Field: The magnetic field flows along the axis of the motor, contributing to a compact and efficient design.
Flux-Switching: The magnetic flux path is strategically switched to optimize performance.
Memory Machine: As mentioned, the magnetization state can be actively controlled.

The researchers built a mathematical model of the HPM-AFFSMM to understand its behavior and develop effective control strategies. The model takes into account factors like the motor's geometry, material properties, and electrical characteristics. Based on this model, they devised a novel control method that combines flux-weakening with direct manipulation of the magnetization state. This allows the motor to operate efficiently across a wide range of speeds while maximizing torque output.

The Future of EV Motors?

The simulation and experimental results presented in the research article show that the HPM-AFFSMM with the proposed control strategy offers significant advantages in terms of speed range and torque output. While this technology is still in the early stages of development, it holds great promise for revolutionizing EV motor design. As the demand for longer-range, high-performance EVs continues to grow, innovations like this will play a crucial role in shaping the future of electric mobility.

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Everything You Need To Know

What are the limitations of traditional permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) in electric vehicles, and how does 'flux-weakening control' attempt to address these?

Traditional permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) in electric vehicles struggle to achieve a wide speed range while maintaining high torque due to their fixed magnetic field. 'Flux-weakening control' is a technique developed to reduce the motor's magnetic field strength at high speeds, allowing it to spin faster without exceeding voltage limits. However, this method often leads to increased energy loss and reduced efficiency, a trade-off that researchers are trying to overcome with new approaches like memory machines.

How do 'memory machines' (MM) differ from traditional electric motors, and what advantages do they offer in terms of motor control and efficiency?

'Memory machines' (MM) differ from traditional motors by using materials whose magnetization can be actively controlled. Unlike traditional motors with fixed magnets, memory machines allow engineers to precisely regulate the motor's magnetic field, optimizing it for different speed ranges and driving conditions. This direct control of the magnetic flux enables wider speed range operation without the efficiency penalties associated with traditional flux-weakening methods, offering a more efficient way to manage motor performance.

What is a 'hybrid permanent magnet axial field flux-switching memory machine' (HPM-AFFSMM), and what are the key design features that contribute to its enhanced performance?

A 'hybrid permanent magnet axial field flux-switching memory machine' (HPM-AFFSMM) is a specialized motor design with several key features that enhance its performance. These include a hybrid design combining two types of permanent magnets for enhanced torque and stable magnetic performance, an axial field configuration where the magnetic field flows along the motor's axis for a compact and efficient design, flux-switching to strategically optimize the magnetic flux path, and the use of a memory machine that allows for active control of the magnetization state. The combination of these features enables efficient operation across a wide range of speeds while maximizing torque output.

How does the research on HPM-AFFSMM incorporate both 'flux-weakening control' and direct manipulation of the magnetization state, and what benefits does this combined approach offer?

The research on HPM-AFFSMM incorporates both 'flux-weakening control' and direct manipulation of the magnetization state by combining these techniques in a novel control method. This allows the motor to operate efficiently across a wide range of speeds while maximizing torque output. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate that this combined approach offers significant advantages in terms of speed range and torque output compared to using flux-weakening alone. The 'flux-weakening control' and direct manipulation optimizes the performance for a wide speed range.

What are the potential implications of advancements in magnetization technology, such as the HPM-AFFSMM, for the future of electric vehicles and electric mobility?

Advancements in magnetization technology, exemplified by the HPM-AFFSMM, hold significant potential for the future of electric vehicles and electric mobility. These innovations could lead to EVs with longer ranges, more responsive driving experiences, and improved overall performance. As the demand for high-performance EVs continues to grow, technologies like the HPM-AFFSMM will play a crucial role in shaping the future of electric mobility by addressing the limitations of current motor designs and paving the way for more efficient and powerful electric powertrains. However, there are still advancements needed to reach the theoretical benefits.