A stator configuration for a motor or generator has a stator core made of a thermally conductive material. The field coil of this configuration is secured to the stator core by a thermally conductive material. A field coil configuration has first and second layers of windings of an electrical conductor in which adjacent flat surfaces disposed generally parallel to the axis of magnetic flux of the coil are in direct contact with each other. The stator configuration and the field coil configuration may be an element of an electric motor or generator.