Record (BH)max of 36.5 MGOe for the La-Nd based magnet 

HD and ribbon samples sintered, heat treated, and diffusion treated using the same procedure. HD sample used the PrCuAl powder that was hydrogen decrepitated before ball milling, while the ribbon sample used the normal PrCuAl powders. The HD treated PrCuAl powder helps the grains to be better aligned.
HD and ribbon samples sintered, heat treated, and diffusion treated using the same procedure. HD sample used the PrCuAl powder that was hydrogen decrepitated before ball milling, while the ribbon sample used the normal PrCuAl powders. The HD treated PrCuAl powder helps the grains to be better aligned.

CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

Innovation 
Improved the maximum energy product of the La-Nd based magnet (replaced 25% of Nd with La) to 36.5 MGOe.

Achievement
Increase over previous 32.4 MG-Oe record achieved by better grain boundary engineering - more uniformly distributed PrCuAl alloy on grain boundaries. Alloy hydrogen decrepitated before ball-milling, which gives finer powders, thereby finer distribution.  

Significance and impact
This achievement proved that grain boundary engineering is an effective approach to improve magnet properties. It pointed the direction for this project to pursue. 

Hub Target Addressed
Industrial option of CMI reduced-criticality clean energy  technologies.