High-speed motors head even higher

Smaller, faster high-speed motors could emerge following the acquisition of a novel carbon fibre winding technology by the Californian high-speed machines specialist, Calnetix. The company has bought the technology - which can hold surface-mounted permanent magnets at tip speeds of more than 300m/s - from Xymid, a company set up in 1998 to commercialise the technology which was originally developed by DuPont.

Calnetix already uses the Xymid technology in a range of high-speed motors and generators with operating speeds extending above 450,000 rpm, and power levels exceeding 2MW. The acquisition "will not only allow us to improve this technology for enhanced product performance," says Calnetix chief executive, Vaiche Artinian, "but will also offer cost advantages".

Calnetix has started an accelerated research programme to raise tip speeds even higher, potentially leading to faster, smaller machines.