AIMD is a five-year research programme developing the next generation of integrated motor drive technologies, bringing together world-leading expertise in power electronics, electrical machines, thermal management and advanced manufacturing across the Universities of Nottingham, Bristol and Newcastle.
Our work spans three connected themes: accelerating real-world impact, solving the underpinning scientific and engineering challenges, and validating the technology in demanding applications; from wind turbines and industrial pumps to cryogenic and propulsion systems.
Rather than running as separate projects, these strands are deliberately interlinked, letting us direct effort to wherever the science is most promising. Delivering this takes both breadth and depth. Alongside our academic teams, the programme draws on a network of industrial partners and an international advisory board, keeping the research grounded in real-world need and globally relevant.
It represents a total investment of over £8.2 million, with just over £7 million in direct funding from EPSRC through a Programme Grant, and the balance supported by the partner institutions, to deliver this cutting-edge research over five years.
The challenge
Electric motors and their powered systems consume half of all global electricity, yet many still operate inefficiently. Integrating power electronic converters directly with electrical machines and sharing common structures cuts material use, boosts efficiency and simplifies design.
As industries accelerate electrification to meet 2030 climate goals, motor energy demand will continue to rise. Advanced integrated drives reduce both electricity consumption and the energy required for generation.
With the UK aiming for 95% low-carbon power by 2030, improving motor drive efficiency is vital to limit material use, manufacturing emissions and impacts on energy security, sustainability and accessibility.
Our mission
Our mission is to deliver radical innovation in highly integrated motor drive technologies that reduce energy waste, lower manufacturing impacts and significantly boost power-to-weight and power-to-volume performance.
These advances will extend system life, transform energy efficiency, and accelerate the UK’s path toward Net Zero.
Our approach
Our research programme takes a multidisciplinary approach to removing the technological barriers that currently limit fully integrated motor drives.
These innovations are essential for delivering more sustainable electricity generation, lighter and more efficient industrial and transport systems, and significantly lower COâ‚‚ emissions across the entire electrification lifecycle.
Integrated motor drive technologies offer major benefits:
Significant multidisciplinary research is urgently needed to realise these advances.
