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Technology Developed in South Korea Uses Liquid Crystal-Organized Carbon Nanotubes to Completely Replace Metals in Motor Coils, Paving the Way for Lighter and More Efficient Vehicles
Researchers at the Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced in June 2025 the creation of functional electric motors that operate without the use of metals, utilizing wires made exclusively from carbon nanotubes, which promises to revolutionize the automotive sector by eliminating the dependence on copper and rare earth elements.
With the new technology, dubbed LAST (Lyotropic Liquid Crystal-Assisted Surface Texturing), the nanotubes are organized into ultralight conductive structures, allowing for the creation of lighter and more efficient coils for electric motors. The first tests were successfully conducted with a motor powering a toy car, proving the viability of the system even at an early stage.
The key differentiator is the replacement of traditional copper wires with structures called CSCEC (Core-Sheath Composite Electric Cables), consisting of a 256-micrometer core of conductive material and an insulating sheath of only 10 micrometers, resulting in a significant weight reduction without compromising functionality.
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LAST Technology and Promising Performance
The LAST process uses lyotropic liquid crystals to align carbon nanotubes, ensuring an ideal linear structure for electrical conduction. This organization increases conductivity by up to 130% compared to traditional nanotube methods, in addition to eliminating metallic impurities that usually compromise performance.
In addition to the structural gain, the CSCEC wires also require less cooling, as the nanotubes dissipate less heat. This allows for the miniaturization of auxiliary components and may result in motors with fewer moving parts and less maintenance.
Although tests with metallic motors still show greater power—18,120 revolutions per minute (rpm) compared to 3,420 rpm of the nanotube motors—the weight-to-power ratio of the new motors is considered promising, especially for applications in drones, aerospace, and lightweight vehicles.
Impacts on the Automotive Industry and Beyond
The replacement of copper with carbon nanotubes represents a strategic milestone. In electric vehicles, such as the Tesla Model S, the coils can contain up to 68 kg of copper. With the CSCEC, this weight could be reduced to 52 kg, providing increased range and reduced energy consumption.
This advancement also addresses a growing industry demand for solutions that reduce reliance on rare metals and high-cost materials. The elimination of copper and rare earths can make the production chain more sustainable and less vulnerable to geopolitical shocks.
With this innovation, sectors such as defense, urban air mobility, and electric micromobility could benefit from lighter and customizable motors. The expectation is that improvements in large-scale production will make costs more accessible in the coming years.
Cost Challenges and Next Steps in Research
However, the biggest current challenge is the cost of production. While copper costs around US$ 10 to US$ 11 per kilogram, the CSCEC nanotubes are still between US$ 375 and US$ 500 per kilogram. This difference currently prevents widespread adoption for mass-produced automobiles.
Nevertheless, researchers at KIST remain optimistic. New production routes and improvements in alignment processes promise to drastically reduce costs in the medium term. The focus now is on scaling up tests in larger motors and studying practical applications in different types of vehicles.
The information was disclosed by the portal Futuro Próximo, based on a study published in the journal Springer Nature Link, detailing the technological advances and the initial successful tests conducted by Dr. Dae-Yoon Kim and his team.
The Future of Electric Motors May Be Written in Carbon
The global energy transition demands more efficient, sustainable solutions less dependent on critical raw materials. Carbon nanotube motors emerge as a promising response to these challenges.
If costs are reduced and the technology is scaled, it will be possible to develop electric motors for cars, drones, and planes without the use of metals, making them lighter, more economical, and less polluting.
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