Friday 28 February 2025
Scientists have made a significant discovery in the field of magnetism, potentially leading to the development of rare-earth-free permanent magnets and giant magnetocaloric effect materials.
Researchers at Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science have used high-throughput density functional theory calculations to screen thousands of Fe-N alloy compounds. The study has identified 49 ferromagnetic cases with promising magnetic properties.
Fifteen of these compounds show potential as rare-earth-free permanent magnets, with magneto-crystalline anisotropy energies above 1 MJ/m3. This is a significant finding, as current commercial permanent magnets rely on rare earth elements, which are expensive and difficult to obtain.
The researchers have also identified 40 compounds that exhibit giant magnetocaloric effects, making them potential candidates for applications such as magnetic refrigeration and temperature control.
One of the most promising compounds, Fe2N, is a hard magnet with a high saturation magnetization. This suggests that it could be used in applications where high magnetic fields are required, such as in electric motors or generators.
The discovery of these rare-earth-free materials has significant implications for the development of sustainable technologies. The use of rare earth elements can have environmental and social impacts, so the ability to create magnets without them could reduce our reliance on these resources.
The researchers plan to further study these compounds to better understand their properties and potential applications. This could lead to the development of new technologies that rely on these magnetocaloric materials, such as more efficient refrigeration systems or advanced magnetic sensors.
Overall, this discovery has the potential to revolutionize the field of magnetism and open up new opportunities for sustainable technology development.
Cite this article: “Breakthrough in Magnetism: Rare-Earth-Free Permanent Magnets and Giant Magnetocaloric Effect Materials Discovered”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Magnetism, Rare-Earth-Free, Permanent Magnets, Magnetocaloric Effect, Fe-N Alloy Compounds, High-Throughput Density Functional Theory Calculations, Ferromagnetic Properties, Magneto-Crystalline Anisotropy Energies, Sustainable Technologies,
