Technology on Top … Electronica Products Ltd was pleased to have won the SMART award in 2003 by the Welsh Development Agency and the Welsh Assembly Government. This award was for the feasibility study of electric motors with magnetic gearing which was carried out successfully. Electronica was awarded a further substantial grant to carry out the Industrial Research and Pre-Competitive Development stages of the motor project. The project is due for completion in 2008. Dr Nabeel Shirazee, Research Director of the Company, said, "We are delighted that the Welsh Assembly Government has granted us this award. We have considerable expertise in motor design and the development of this particular variable speed motor will enable us to offer a product which will greatly reduce electricity usage and carbon emissions. The majority of motors used today are not as efficient as they might be and our use of powerful rare-earth magnets, together with new design techniques, means that the new motor should run more efficiently than other types. The consumer will pay less in running costs by saving electricity". Applications for the new motor include household appliances such as washing machines and water pumps. It may also be used in industry to replace many existing motors. This lighter motor with greater reliability will have a distinct advantage in aerospace applications. Dr Shirazee also said, “It may be possible to use such motors in electric cars.  Here the smaller size, lower weight and higher efficiency will mean that such cars will be able to travel faster and for longer without re-charging the batteries".