Research Shows How to Build A Better Cheaper Magnet

National Institute for Materials Science, Japan scientists have succeeded in simulating the magnetization reversal of Nd-Fe-B (neodymium iron boron) magnets. The simulation was made possible by using large-scale finite element models construction based on tomographic data obtained by electron microscopy.

The research paper discussing the work has been published in the journal npj Computational Materials.

Such simulations have shed light on microstructural features that hinder the “coercivity”, a metric that quantifies a magnet’s resistance to demagnetization in opposing magnetic fields. The new tomography-based models are expected to guide toward the development of sustainable permanent magnets with ultimate performance.

Green power generation, electric transportation, and other high-tech industries rely heavily on high-performance permanent magnets, among which the Nd-Fe-B magnets are the strongest and most in demand.

The coercivity of industrial Nd-Fe-B magnets is far below its physical limit up to now.To resolve this issue, micromagnetic simulations on realistic models of the magnets can be employed.

A new approach to reconstruct the real microstructure of ultrafine-grained Nd-Fe-B magnets in large-scale models is proposed in this research.

Specifically, the tomographic data from a series of 2D images obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in combination with consistent focused ion beam (FIB) polishing can be converted into a high-quality 3D finite element model.

This tomography-based approach is universal and can be applied to other polycrystalline materials addressing a wide range of materials science problems. Micromagnetic simulations on the tomography-based models reproduced the coercivity of ultrafine-grained Nd-Fe-B magnets and explained its mechanism.

The microstructural features relevant to the coercivity and nucleation of magnetization reversal were revealed. Thus, the developed model can be considered as a digital twin of Nd-Fe-B magnets — a virtual representation of an object designed to reflect its physics accurately.

The proposed digital twins of the Nd-Fe-B magnets are precise enough in reproducing both the microstructure and magnetic properties that can be implemented for the inverse problem in designing on-demand high-performance permanent magnets.

For instance, when researchers input the magnetic properties required for a specific application (e.g., traction or variable magnetic force motor), a data-driven research pipeline with integrated digital twins will be able to propose the optimal composition, processing conditions, and microstructure of the magnet for that application, significantly reducing development time.

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The point of all this is solving the problem of designing alternative on-demand high-performance permanent magnets. This is no small problem. Right now the magnet production, raw material sourcing and processing are pretty much fully controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.

That makes this kid of work a national security issue for a huge array of nations. The stated intentions of the communists aren’t the kinds of things that build better living standards, increase the security of humanity, or improve the health, wealth, and safety of people across the planet.

So, this is critical research. A “Thank You” to this research team is offered and hopes for more funding to flesh out more of the whole this research can offer.

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