Computational tool for new magnet performance assessment

two scatter plot charts identify the optimum efficiency for a servo motor considering the weight of the (a) motor, and (b) magnets. The Sm-Fe-N compares favorably with the N33H magnet under the different motor and magnet weight conditions.
Identification of the optimum efficiency for a servo motor considering the weight of the (a) motor, and (b) magnets. The Sm-Fe-N compares favorably with the N33H magnet under the different motor and magnet weight conditions. 

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Innovation
An in-house computational tool has been developed for motor design, enabling the comparison of performance between magnets with non-critical and critical elements.

Achievement

  • The tool enables identification of the designs that optimize the  performance of alternative magnets in motors. 
  • With the tool, we showed that Sm-Fe-N (2:17) magnets can replace Nd-Fe-B (N33H) without performance loss and while retaining the motor weight and sizes.

Significance and impact
Development of such a computation tool is an essential step towards accelerating the development of substitutes for critical rare-earth magnets.  

Hub Goal Addressed
Prototyping of critical REE-free permanent magnets.