A motor and method of operation are provided. The motor includes a plurality of cylinders, wherein at least two of the cylinders are positioned at a non-zero angle relative to one another. Each cylinder includes a piston configured to move within the cylinder and a high-temperature superconductor material in a superconducting state in the presence of an external magnetic field below a critical field strength, wherein the critical field strength is a function of the temperature of the superconductor material. Each cylinder further includes a permanent magnet mechanically coupled to the piston and configured to move within the cylinder and to have a magnetic field that interacts with the superconductor material. A sum of a non-zero time-invariant magnetic field strength and a time-varying magnetic field strength cycles between at least a first field strength below the critical field strength for the superconductor material at the temperature and at least a second field strength above the critical field strength for the superconductor material, such that the superconductor material cycles between a superconducting state and a non-superconducting state, applying a time-varying force is applied to the magnet.