An international team of researchers from the University of Cambridge, the Austrian Academy of Sciences and
Tetrataenite, an alloy of iron and nickel with a specialorderly atomic structure, is one of the most promising alternatives for rare earth magnets, the scientists explain. Under natural conditions, it forms over millions of years as the meteorite slowly cools. This process leads to the formation of a specific crystal structure that provides magnetic properties.
Back in the 1960s, scientists first synthesizedthis material. To create it, they bombarded an alloy of iron and nickel with neutrons to create the desired structure. The disadvantage of this method is that it is not suitable for mass production.
In the new work, the researchers have found an alternative that does not require cooling for millions of yearsScientists have studied the mechanical properties of iron and nickel alloys containing small amounts of phosphorus, an element that is also presentin meteorites.
The researchers found that phosphorus,present in meteorites, accelerates the movement of iron and nickel atoms. Due to this, the crystal structure is formed 11-15 orders of magnitude faster. This means that in a conventional casting process, it can be created in just a few seconds.
The demand for high-performance magnets has grown substantially with the development of zero-carbon technologies: electric transport and green energy.Although rare earth magnets are actually widespread on earth, their production causesgreat damage to the environment and today the main supplier is China.
Scientists believe that the new method will help avoid dependence on the monopoly of one supplier and at the same time avoid significant damage to the environment.
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