Frost & Sullivan selected Raser Technologies, Inc. as the recipient of the 2006 Motor Drive Systems Technology Innovation of the Year Award for developing and innovating the Symetron(TM) AC induction motor-based P-50 hybrid propulsion integrated starter alternator (ISA) drive technology.

A low cost, lightweight electric drive system for industry, home, and automotive applications, this represents a significant step forward in the harnessing of energy.

The Symetron motor and controller system provides improvements over competing conventional electric motors -- increased power, a lower cost per kilowatt, higher torque density, and an economical AC induction design. This makes it suitable for use in electric and hybrid vehicles such as cars, buses, and trucks. Raser's drive system incorporates the patent pending Symetron control software and motor designs.

"At 107 mm in length and weighing only 30 Kg, the P-50 motor demonstrates 48 kW of peak power, 230 Nm of peak torque, a peak efficiency of 94 percent, and the ability to produce 20 kW of power as a generator," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Rajesh Kannan. "These impressive stats are attained even without the use of expensive permanent magnet materials found mainly in China, the supply of which is subject to a number of issues."

Symetron is also distinguished by its versatility and adaptability to a host of applications, made possible by its ability to scale to higher horsepower requirements at minimal expense. This feature can be exploited in hybrids ranging from economy cars and light trucks (full hybrids and plug-in hybrids) to large military combat vehicles.

"Using such technology, automakers gain added flexibility to develop a high-performance cost-effective hybrid option for current makes and models, and a low-cost one-machine solution for eliminating the separate starter motors and alternators found in today's conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles," notes Kannan.

Raser Technologies has made key contributions to technology innovation in motor drive, control and propulsion systems, which have in turn helped drive progress in hybrid vehicles and other fields. Because of such widely applicable contributions, the company is presented with the Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation of the Year.

Each year Frost & Sullivan presents this award to a company that has carried out new research, which has resulted in innovation(s) that have or are expected to bring significant contributions to the industry in terms of adoption, change, and competitive posture. The award recognizes the quality and depth of a company's research and development program as well as the vision and risk-taking that enabled it to undertake such an endeavor.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry. More information about the awards can be found at http://www.awards.frost.com.