This book examines unconventional active magnetic bearings that can operate effec tively under extreme conditions, including high speeds, vacuum, high or low tempera tures, sterile environments, aggressive environments, and more. The rotor rotates in this bearing without mechanical contact or wear. Lubrication is also eliminated. Stable rotor suspension is achieved by magnetic attraction from controlled electromagnets. Particular attention is given to such little-studied topics as the description of suspen sion systems in a dimensionless state space, optimization of magnetic bearing geom etry and control laws, the effect of rotor autorotation in a magnetic bearing, and the development of bearingless electric machines.