15:21 25-10-2025

KIST unveils the first copper-free electric motor using carbon nanotube conductors

Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have built the world’s first copper-free electric motor. Instead of the usual metal, the team used carbon nanotube conductors, trimming weight and lowering harmful emissions associated with motor manufacturing.

In an experiment, the motor wired with the new cable was able to propel a miniature car at just 3 volts. Its rotational speed was lower—3,420 rpm versus 18,000 for copper counterparts—yet the setup delivered stable operation and high electrical conductivity. Because the nanotube wire weighs about five times less than copper, the concept looks promising for next-generation vehicles; on paper, that kind of mass saving is exactly what engineers chase, even if outright rpm still trails today’s copper-based designs.

The researchers note that the priorities now are cutting losses at the contacts between fibers and making production more affordable. Even so, the material has already shown it can be reused multiple times without losing its properties, opening the door to lighter, cleaner electric motors. If those engineering hurdles are cleared, the trade-off between lower rpm and dramatic weight reduction could prove worthwhile in applications where packaging efficiency and sustainability matter most.