The design of an electromagnet requires the compliance with a number of constraints such as power supply characteristics, coil inductance and resistance, and, above all, heat dissipation, which poses the limit to the maximum achievable magnetic field. A common solution consists in using copper tubes in which a coolant flows. This approach, however, introduces further hydrodynamic concerns. To overcome these difficulties, we developed a new kind of electromagnet in which the pipe concept is replaced by a duct formed by the windings. Here we report on the realization and characterization of a compact model system in which the conductors carry a current that is one order of magnitude higher than the current allowable with conventional designs. Publishing LLC.