SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYMAKING A BIG LEAP INMAGNET INNOVATIONThe neodymium magnet has enhanced the performance of a wide range of products, from electronic devices toelectric vehicles and wind turbines. The magnet’s inventor and developer, who was recently awarded the worldrenowned Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, speaks about the driving forces that led to this breakthrough andthe potential for upcoming technological innovations.
The shift to electric vehicles andfuel cell vehicles is acceleratingaround the world, as many
countries strive to achieve carbon
neutrality. Japan is also promoting
the widespread use of thesevehicles and has set the goal ofhaving electrified vehicles accountfor 100% of new passenger car
sales by 2035.
Among the various technologicalinnovations that have enabled
the mass production of electricvehicles, the most crucial has
been the neodymium magnet(also known as the NdFeB
magnet). Featuring high heat
resistance and powerful magnetic
strength—strong enough that
one gram of it can lift 1 kg ofsteel—the magnet has madepossible the creation of the small
and powerful motors that areindispensable for such vehicles. It
has also contributed to enhanced
performance and reduced costs
in a broad range of items,
from HDDs used for personal
computers to air conditioners andwind turbines.
“I didn’t think it would be
used so widely,” says SAGAWA
Masato, the Japanese scientist
who developed the magnet

in 1982. In February 2022, electronics manufacturer. He
he was awarded the Queen didn’t receive the go-ahead from
Elizabeth Prize for Engineering his company to develop an iron—one of engineering’s most based magnet, however, sinceprestigious awards, honoring bold, the element was consideredgroundbreaking innovations that unsuitable for making a superare of global benefit to humanity strong magnet. But believing—for developing the world’s most that such a magnet would surely
powerful permanent magnet, contribute to the world, hewhich has been transformational continued to persist with hisfor its contribution towards work, and in 1982, after joining
enabling cleaner, energy-saving Sumitomo Special Metals (nowtechnologies. “To have something Hitachi Metals), he succeeded
I devised myself be of such benefit in developing the neodymium
to society—I couldn’t behappier,” he adds.
Dr. SAGAWA Masato lifting a steel block with the helpof a neodymium magnet. Having developed the magnet,
Back in the day when
he currently serves as an advisor for Daido Steel, one of
the strongest magnets were
the world’s leading specialty steel manufacturers. He also
founded NDFEB, a startup located in Kyoto Prefecture
deemed to be those madethat specializes in R&D on neodymium magnets.
mainly from the two basic
ELEMENT STRATEGY INITIATIVE: TO FORM CORE RESEARCHCENTERS/ATSUKO TSUJI
elements of samarium andcobalt, Sagawa turned
his attention to iron.
Pursuing a hunch thatexcellent magnets could
be made from iron—less expensive and more
plentiful than cobalt—
Sagawa began conducting
his own research in that
direction while working
on developments such as
samarium-cobalt magnets
at a major Japanese

Neodymium magnets (center) are mainly composed ofiron—an abundantly available and inexpensive
substance—along with neodymium and boron. Their low
cost has led to their rapid popularization and has greatly
improved performance for a wide range of products: from airconditioners to personal computers, electric vehicles, andwind turbines. AFLO (top left photo); SHUTTERSTOCK (center, top right,and bottom left); EYEEM (bottom right)

magnet.
Spurred on by the advantages of
its low cost and having twice themagnetic force of the samariumcobalt magnet, applications of
the neodymium magnet spread
rapidly. Even now, nearly four
decades later, there is no magnet
that can surpass it.
Now aged 78, Sagawa canstill be found at the frontline ofdevelopment working to improve
the neodymium magnet. He
recently succeeded in substantiallyreducing the magnet’s ratio ofdysprosium—a heavy rare-earth
element in particularly scarce
supply—while enhancing its
strength. This magnet also has
the potential to improve energy
efficiency through properties
that help keep the temperature of
the motor from rising. “Motors

consume almost half of the world’selectricity. The widespread use ofelectric vehicles will only result infurther consumption. Under suchcircumstances, even the slightest
improvement in motor efficiency
will contribute substantially tocarbon neutrality,” he says.
Japan has developed technologicalinnovations not only in magnets,
but also in such materials ascarbon fiber and high-tensile steel,which play crucial roles in creatingproducts in a broad range offields. According to data for 2017,
Japanese companies accounted forat least 60% of the global market
for up to 70 advanced materials
used in high-tech fields. “Materials
have been the backbone
supporting civilizations fromtime immemorial. We can solve
extremely large problems throughthe innovation of materials. That’s
why I want young researchers
to find projects that will benefit
society and aggressively pursue
them,” states Sagawa. With theaim of making the world moreconvenient and eco-friendly,
Japan will continue along thispath to seek new innovations. A major feature of the neodymium magnet (left)
is its strong magnetic force; it is about 10 times
stronger than a ferrite magnet (right), the mostwidely used magnet in the world, including fordaily necessities. NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR
MATERIALS SCIENCE