A UK startup has leveraged artificial intelligence to discover a novel type of magnet that does not rely on rare earth elements, representing a significant breakthrough in material science.
Materials Nexus, based in London, employed a machine learning algorithm to evaluate and process over 100 million combinations of materials to identify a viable rare-earth-free magnet.
The result is a magnet dubbed MagNex by the startup. This permanent magnet, free from rare earth elements such as dysprosium and neodymium, can be produced more cost-effectively and with lower carbon emissions compared to current rare-earth-based magnets.
According to Materials Nexus, magnets are just the starting point. Their machine learning algorithm has the potential to identify combinations for a variety of materials, applicable in fields ranging from microchips to superconductors.
"AI-powered materials design will revolutionize not just magnetics, but the entire field of materials science," stated Dr. Jonathan Bean, CEO of Materials Nexus.
Materials Nexus was established by physicist Jonathan Bean in 2020. Since its inception, the startup has secured $5 million in venture capital and grant funding and is now poised to bring its advanced materials to the market.
Accelerating Materials Discovery Modern technologies, including electronics and electric vehicles, rely on thousands of different materials, many of which were discovered through extensive trial and error over many years.
However, AI enables researchers to virtually test millions of possible material combinations, greatly reducing the time and effort required. The design, synthesis, and testing of MagNex were completed in just three months.
"This innovative magnetic material was developed at an astounding speed," said Iain Todd, a professor at the University of Sheffield who contributed to the synthesis of MagNex.
Permanent magnets are essential components in various technologies, including EVs, wind turbines, robotics, and drones, and most currently depend on rare-earth metals. European demand for these metals is anticipated to increase five-fold by 2030.
However, the reliance on rare-earth metals makes supply chains vulnerable to disruptions. China holds the largest reserves of these metals, and with increasing geopolitical tensions, Europe's dependence on China for rare-earths poses significant risks.
The EU's Critical Raw Materials Act, which recently came into effect, aims to reduce the bloc's dependence on foreign sources of materials, including rare-earth metals. Nonetheless, the ultimate goal is to create magnets that do not require rare-earth elements at all.
Materials Nexus, based in London, employed a machine learning algorithm to evaluate and process over 100 million combinations of materials to identify a viable rare-earth-free magnet.
The result is a magnet dubbed MagNex by the startup. This permanent magnet, free from rare earth elements such as dysprosium and neodymium, can be produced more cost-effectively and with lower carbon emissions compared to current rare-earth-based magnets.
According to Materials Nexus, magnets are just the starting point. Their machine learning algorithm has the potential to identify combinations for a variety of materials, applicable in fields ranging from microchips to superconductors.
"AI-powered materials design will revolutionize not just magnetics, but the entire field of materials science," stated Dr. Jonathan Bean, CEO of Materials Nexus.
Materials Nexus was established by physicist Jonathan Bean in 2020. Since its inception, the startup has secured $5 million in venture capital and grant funding and is now poised to bring its advanced materials to the market.
Accelerating Materials Discovery Modern technologies, including electronics and electric vehicles, rely on thousands of different materials, many of which were discovered through extensive trial and error over many years.
However, AI enables researchers to virtually test millions of possible material combinations, greatly reducing the time and effort required. The design, synthesis, and testing of MagNex were completed in just three months.
"This innovative magnetic material was developed at an astounding speed," said Iain Todd, a professor at the University of Sheffield who contributed to the synthesis of MagNex.
Permanent magnets are essential components in various technologies, including EVs, wind turbines, robotics, and drones, and most currently depend on rare-earth metals. European demand for these metals is anticipated to increase five-fold by 2030.
However, the reliance on rare-earth metals makes supply chains vulnerable to disruptions. China holds the largest reserves of these metals, and with increasing geopolitical tensions, Europe's dependence on China for rare-earths poses significant risks.
The EU's Critical Raw Materials Act, which recently came into effect, aims to reduce the bloc's dependence on foreign sources of materials, including rare-earth metals. Nonetheless, the ultimate goal is to create magnets that do not require rare-earth elements at all.