Driving Synergy Between Innovators and Businesses

Research and development in the Motor, Drive Systems & Magnetics (MDSM) affects all aspects of technology, from automation, robotics, and manufacturing to renewable energy, medical devices, and aerospace engineering, as well as electric vehicles and industrial equipment. Using statistics from Statista, Thunderbit, and ABI Research, a conservative estimate places the combined worth of these technologies at approximately $2.6 trillion.

In 2025, experts across MDSM fields converged in Tallahassee for the first time for a conference and exhibition. Speakers included researchers and innovators with participants from industry and government.

“The MDSM Conference is the world’s leading forum,” explains Robert Schaudt, program director for TWST Events, the vendor responsible for organizing the conference, “bringing together the full value chain—OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), and suppliers, material developers, engineers, academia, and technology leaders—to address the most pressing issues and advancements in design, efficiency, and applications. Attendees gain direct insight into new motor design innovations, magnet technologies, efficiency improvements, rare earth material strategies, and evolving supply chain realities.”

Bringing the conference to Tallahassee took a coordinated effort from local officials and the OEV (Office of Economic Vitality). In 2024, the conference took place in Orlando, where Keith Bowers, director of the OEV, first attracted the attention of the MDSM organizers.

Photo Courtesy of Leon County Government

“We were sponsors,” Bowers recalls, discussing the MagLab (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory) with attendees and vendors at the reception. Bowers was surprised to learn that the organizers did not know the MagLab was located in Tallahassee. To increase awareness, Bowers says, “We had some really cool magnetic toys and SWAG we were giving out.”

In addition to the benefit of connecting the world’s greatest experts on MDSM with industry leaders, the conference presiding in the capital benefits Tallahassee with an increased impact in an essential business sector.

On display at MDSM 2025 were high quality exhibits, where many of the leaders showcased exciting innovative ideas for problems in manufacturing and supply, as well as scientific solutions across industries.

“Events like the Motor, Drive Systems & Magnetics Conference spotlight Leon County’s role as a global innovation hub, bringing industry leaders and decision-makers to our community and supporting local tourism,” says Leon County District 2 Commissioner Christian Caban. “With last year’s event drawing more than 260 industry leaders and over 30 exhibitors, we’re thrilled to welcome the conference back in 2026. It’s a chance to showcase our community as a premier destination, strengthen our standing in advanced manufacturing and applied sciences, and reaffirm Leon County as the ‘Magnetic Capital of the World.’”

After making the connection at the 2024 conference, Bowers and his team pitched Tallahassee as a location for MDSM 2025 an ideal junction for experts to discuss any work related to magnets or advanced materials. The world’s strongest magnet is located at the MagLab, and as Bowers said to the organizers, “They’re engaged with over 1,500 researchers from across the globe on an annual basis.”

Photo Courtesy of Leon County Government

MagLab facilities house research across the health sciences, materials research, environmental studies, energy, and other STEM-related projects. The MagLab is also a leading education partner with FSU, training the next generation of innovators in cutting-edge technology. Both MagLab and FSU were gold sponsors of the event, as was Danfoss, which also has a presence in Tallahassee, where their turbo compressor facility is located.

Keynote speaker, Delvis Gonzalez, a senior motor and magnetic specialist at Danfoss, discussed integrating magnetic technology into high-speed centrifugal compressors. The project focuses on leveraging permanent magnet motors and magnetic bearings to allow for optimal efficiency without degradation of the compressor over its lifespan.

Other exhibits at the conference came from international companies with a significant market presence. For example, Ningbo Yunsheng Co., Ltd. from China is a major player with a market capitalization of approximately $1.5 billion. Integrated Engineering Software, a specialized competitor from Canada, operates in the larger engineering software market, which was valued at over $43 billion in 2024. The Rare Earth Industry Association from Belgium also had a presence, representing its members who are significant participants in the global rare earth market, valued at more than $12 billion in 2024.

Another event of note was the unveiling of “Maggie,” the world’s largest levitating sculpture, created in collaboration between FSU, the City of Tallahassee, and the MagLab out of FSU’s Master Craftsman Studio. ▪

Photo Courtesy of Leon County Government

Standouts at MDSM 2025

→ Non-heavy/non-rare-earth permanent-magnet motors (ORNL)

Parans Paranthaman and Vandana Rallabandi (Oak Ridge National Lab) presented an approach to electric motors that avoids heavy/rare-earth elements—big implications for cost, resilience, and sustainability. 

→ Circular-economy pathways for permanent-magnet motors

The Panel with Cyclic Materials, Automotive Recyclers Association, LBNL, and U.S. DOE discussed magnet recovery/recycling and closed-loop supply chains—arguably the most system-level innovation theme. 

→ DFARS-compliant permanent magnet supply chain standards

Lockheed Martin, Dexter, Bunting, and Magnetics Corporation tackled standards for defense-compliant magnets—an innovation in policy/standards enabling domestic sourcing. 

→ High-throughput pulsed-field magnetometers

Hirst Magnetic Instruments outlined pulsed-field magnetometry for rapid materials testing, process innovation that can accelerate R&D and QA. 

→ Heavy, rare-earth-free hot-deformed Nd-Fe-B magnets

Daido Steel detailed advances reducing dependence on heavy rare earths while preserving performance—materials innovation with near-term industrial relevance. 

→ Ultrasound-assisted leaching for sustainable rare-earth production

Hydrova presented an ultrasound plus organic-acid route to extract rare earths, potentially lower energy/chemicals vs. conventional hydrometallurgy. 

→ AI/ML for motor load-profile recognition (predictive maintenance)

Microchip showed how ML models infer operating states from signals to improve uptime and maintenance scheduling, software/analytics innovation for drives.

→ “Maggie” magnetic-levitation public sculpture (FSU/MagLab)

The conference’s headline demonstration fused art and magnetics: a levitating TLH/FSU sculpture, a feat of creative, innovative magnetic engineering.