The Electric Motor Education & Research Foundation (EMERF), a 501(c)(3), of SMMA – The Motor & Motion Association – will award a $15,000 grant to a university or research facility for developing pre-competitive research concepts on achieving improvements in power density while simultaneously increasing efficiency in small electric motors. 

The winning applicant will have initial funding for phase one (six months) to develop the concepts that will be deployed during the research project phase (phase two). The deadline for proposal submissions is November 1, 2013.

At the successful completion of phase one, EMERF, the EMERF Pre-Competitive Electric Motor Research Consortium (PCEMRC) and the successful bidder will work together to secure funding for phase two. During phase two, a motor with controller will be constructed for independent testing to prove performance. The objective for phase two is to develop a motor with a viable path to commercialization that PCEMRC members may consider for manufacturing.

Improving electric motor efficiency is a perennial goal of motor manufacturers, as well as the subject of federal regulations. (You can see the document spelling out new proposed efficiency levels set by the DOE here.)

However, with current motor topologies, increasing efficiency usually comes at the expense of reducing power density. Which is why project proposals are being sought that address simultaneously increasing both the efficiency and power density for any particular motor.

For more information, including a specific list of proposed performance criteria, check out the full announcement here.