An axial flux motor or generator, comprising: a rotor shaft that rotates about an axis of rotation; a first rotor plate engaged with the rotor shaft; a first magnet attached to the first rotor plate, the first magnet having a first surface that is orthogonal to a magnetization direction of the first magnet; wherein the first rotor plate and first magnet are configured and arranged such that, if the first rotor plate and the first magnet are separated from all other magnetic field-generating components, then a distance between a first plane that intercepts a first point on the first surface and to which the axis of rotation is normal and a second plane that intercepts a second point on the first surface and to which the axis of rotation is normal is substantially greater than zero, and where the axial flux motor or generator further comprises: a second rotor plate engaged with the rotor shaft; and a second magnet attached to the second rotor plate such that a first magnetic flux is generated within a gap between the first and second magnets, wherein the first and second rotor plates are positioned such that the first magnetic flux causes the distance between the first and second planes to be substantially equal to zero, and where the axial flux motor or generator further comprises a stator disposed within the gap, wherein the stator is configured to selectively generate a second magnetic flux that interacts with the first magnetic flux so as to cause the rotor shaft, the first rotor plate, and the first magnet to rotate in unison. a rotor shaft that rotates about an axis of rotation; a first rotor plate engaged with the rotor shaft; a first magnet attached to the first rotor plate, the first magnet having a first surface that is orthogonal to a magnetization direction of the first magnet; wherein the first rotor plate and first magnet are configured and arranged such that, if the first rotor plate and the first magnet are separated from all other magnetic field-generating components, then a distance between a first plane that intercepts a first point on the first surface and to which the axis of rotation is normal and a second plane that intercepts a second point on the first surface and to which the axis of rotation is normal is substantially greater than zero, and where the axial flux motor or generator further comprises: a second rotor plate engaged with the rotor shaft; and a second magnet attached to the second rotor plate such that a first magnetic flux is generated within a gap between the first and second magnets, wherein the first and second rotor plates are positioned such that the first magnetic flux causes the distance between the first and second planes to be substantially equal to zero, and where the axial flux motor or generator further comprises a stator disposed within the gap, wherein the stator is configured to selectively generate a second magnetic flux that interacts with the first magnetic flux so as to cause the rotor shaft, the first rotor plate, and the first magnet to rotate in unison. a second rotor plate engaged with the rotor shaft; and a second magnet attached to the second rotor plate such that a first magnetic flux is generated within a gap between the first and second magnets, wherein the first and second rotor plates are positioned such that the first magnetic flux causes the distance between the first and second planes to be substantially equal to zero, and where the axial flux motor or generator further comprises a stator disposed within the gap, wherein the stator is configured to selectively generate a second magnetic flux that interacts with the first magnetic flux so as to cause the rotor shaft, the first rotor plate, and the first magnet to rotate in unison.