A conductor is provided for an electric machine having an axis, a radial direction extending outward from the axis, and a tangential direction perpendicular to the radial direction. The conductor includes a solid core, having radial faces substantially perpendicular to the radial direction of the electric machine and tangential faces substantially perpendicular to the tangential direction of the electric machine. At least one tangential depression is formed on at least one of the tangential faces. The tangential depression creates a tangential void within a rectangular envelope defined by the solid core. Therefore, the surface area of the solid core is greater than the surface area of the rectangular envelope.