Magnetic Materials Research and Development

The Magnetic Materials group performs research and development on high-performance permanent magnets and soft magnetic materials. Our work includes basic and applied research, analytical modeling, theoretical innovation, and fundamental materials development. Our group is an internationally-recognized leader in rare earth permanent magnet materials.

Our goal is to develop advanced magnetic materials that will improve the performance of various devices and machines including generators, motors, actuators, traveling wave tubes, inductors, magnetic sensors, and propulsion systems.

Research is conducted in facilities fully equipped for magnetics research, and is supported by analytical capabilities located elsewhere in the Research Institute, including the Materials Physics and SEM, X-ray, and Analytical Support laboratories.

Materials we are currently developing include:

• Rare earth permanent magnets capable of operating at high temperatures
• Rare earth permanent magnets with high magnetic performance and high mechanical toughness
• New temperature-compensated permanent magnets
• High-performance nanocomposite rare earth permanent magnets
• High-temperature soft magnetic materials

Research topics we are currently investigating include:

• Nanocomposite and nanocrystalline rare earth permanent magnet materials
• High-temperature rare earth permanent magnet materials
• Rare earth permanent magnets with high fracture toughness
• Plasma-sprayed rare earth permanent magnets
• High-temperature soft magnetic materials
• Coercivity mechanisms

Dayton, Ohio is not only the birthplace of aviation, but also the birthplace of modern rare earth permanent magnets.  Dr. Karl Strnat discovered the huge crystalline anisotropy of a YCo5 compound in 1966 while working at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He joined the University of Dayton in 1968 and established the University of Dayton Magnetics laboratory. Dr. Strnat worked closely with Dr. Alden Ray and Mr. Herbert Mildrum at UD and pioneered the R&D of the first and second generations of rare earth permanent magnets in the 1960s and 1970s. In recent years, the University of Dayton Magnetics Lab has continued its research excellence in the development of high-temperature rare earth permanent magnets, rare earth magnets with improved fracture toughness, and nanocomposite rare earth permanent magnet materials.

L to R: Mr. Herbert Mildrum, Dr. Alden Ray and Dr. Karl Strnat in the Magnetics Laboratory.