At just 17, he invents a groundbreaking electric motor—no rare earths required

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• A Young Mind, a Big Idea
• Stealing the Spotlight—and the Top Prize
• The Power Behind the Project
• Bigger Impact: Economy and Environment

Who says world-changing ideas can only spark in high-tech labs, surrounded by people in white coats? Sometimes, real breakthroughs are born in a teenager’s garage—messy, unpolished, but brimming with vision and the scent of possibility (and maybe a whiff of WD-40).

A Young Mind, a Big Idea

In Florida, 17-year-old student Robert Sansone managed what most of us only daydream about: he invented an electric motor that could shift the future of electric mobility as we know it. The twist? His design eliminates the need for rare earth materials entirely. Imagine revolutionizing an entire industry before finishing high school—talk about productive summers!

Stealing the Spotlight—and the Top Prize

Robert’s invention wasn’t just a small science fair project collecting dust and the odd congratulatory pat on the back. His work netted him first place at the 2022 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, renowned as the most prestigious global competition for students of science and engineering. Along with the glory, Robert also bagged a $75,000 check—a sizable nod from the scientific community to the potential impact of his creation. As far as sweet victories go, it doesn’t get much better than that for a student inventor.

The Power Behind the Project

At the heart of Robert’s breakthrough is a type of motor known as a synchronous reluctance motor—without any permanent magnets. While this technology has been around for some uses (think industrial pumps or big fans), Robert saw the untapped potential and had the cleverness to adapt it for electric vehicles. Here’s what makes his approach really stand out:

• His prototype demonstrated a 39% increase in torque compared with traditional models.
• The build dodged all rare and expensive materials, which are typically relied upon in electric motors.

No rare earths, no missing pieces: just innovation, copper, some steel, and a 3D printer. In fact, within just one year, Robert managed to create this prototype himself, arming himself with little more than determination and some handy tools. Impressive? Absolutely. Surprising, coming from someone who already has more than 60 personal projects under his belt—ranging from a robotic hand to a go-kart that can touch 110 km/h? Maybe not, if you know Robert.

Bigger Impact: Economy and Environment

What’s the magic of ditching permanent magnets? Several things, actually:

• It slashes production costs, making electric vehicles more accessible.
• It reduces reliance on foreign suppliers—especially as China currently dominates the rare earth export market.
• Extraction of rare earths comes with a heavy environmental toll, so avoiding their use is a win for the planet.
• For the automotive industry, it’s a stepping stone to a more sustainable and geopolitically stable supply chain.

Robert’s distaste for the overuse of magnets in electric motors dates back to his younger years—a passion which now solves real-world issues. His journey and his project show that you don’t need billion-dollar resources or a bustling lab to make a game-changing mark. All it takes is ingenuity, tenacity, and the courage to rethink the basics.

If his motor ever scales up for mass production, it could genuinely mark a shift in the electric car industry. The potential benefits—economic and environmental—are very real, promising a future that’s less costly to build and gentler on the planet. Not bad for garage work!

The next time you hear the hum of an electric motor, remember: innovation can come from the most unexpected places—and sometimes, from someone who’s still got algebra homework due on Monday.