Northeastern Voice

Scientists find new method for making magnets

Laura Lewis, professor and chair of chemical engineering; Vince Harris, William Lincoln Smith Chair and director of the Center for Microwave Magnetic Materials and Integrated Circuits; and lead scientist C.N. Chinnasamy, seated, have been involved in research leading to the discovery of a new method for making ultra-strong magnets.

Northeastern University scientists believe they have discovered a process that could revolutionize the production of jets, hybrid automobiles and other technology that depends on super-strong magnets.

Through a research effort led by Dr. C.N. Chinnasamy of Northeastern’s Center for Microwave Magnetic Materials and Integrated Circuits, a method to significantly lower the cost of ultra-strong magnet production was discovered recently, and word is spreading among industry leaders and media officials.

“The potential for what was discovered in (lead scientist) Chinnasamy’s wet chemistry experiment is enormous,” said Vince Harris, William Lincoln Smith chair professor, and director of the Center for Microwave Magnetic Materials and Integrated Circuits.

Harris explains that Chinnasamy discovered a way to produce a rare-earth material (Samarium Cobalt), a key ingredient in expensive, ultra-strong magnets used in a wide array of technologies. With the discovery, researchers predict production costs of strong magnets will drop significantly.

“This holds great promise for the automobile industry where these magnets are commonly found in motors used in hybrid and electric vehicles,” Harris said.

“We are very hopeful at this point that we have found the answer that so many scientists have been looking for,” Harris said. “The ability to reduce the cost of rare-earth, high-strength magnets in an environmentally friendly way would have a major impact in many sectors of technology. With so many things, the push is to create lighter, smaller, less expensive components.”

The “breakthrough discovery” was announced in an article in Applied Physics Letters on July 28, and news of the research continues to garner attention in major scientific journals and mainstream press, Harris said, noting that his phone has been ringing steadily with inquiries from the media and industry leaders.

At the same time, the process to obtain an international patent has been started by researchers to safeguard the intellectual property.

The research team credited with the discovery includes professor Laura Lewis, professor and chair, chemical engineering, and Carmine Vittoria, distinguished professor of electrical and computer engineering.

Chinnasamy said the results of the chemistry experiment were extremely promising.

Ordinarily, production of the rare-earth element involves a complicated, multi-step process to control the size and shape of the magnetic particles needed for optimal performance. But his experiment, a “one-step” method, automatically produced the desired result.

“Such unusually-shaped particles … are highly sought in many … applications,” he stated in a press release, adding that the result will lead to the development of lighter, more energy-efficient products in commercial and military applications.

The discovery, said Harris, will open up a “new path” in everything from jet engine development to manufacture of hybrid cars.

— Susan Salk