The winning formulais what thestartupcalls MagNex.
For Materials Nexus, magnets are just the beginning.
It’s free, every week, in your inbox.
Bean founded Materials Nexus in 2020.
However, AI allows researchers to trial millions of possible material combinations virtually removing much of the legwork.
MagNex took just three months to design, synthesise, and test.
Most of them rely on rare-earth metals.European demand for these metals is expected torise five-fold by 2030.
However, the rare-earth metals required to produce these magnets are vulnerable to supply chain shocks.
China is home to the biggest reserves.
With geopolitical tensions mounting, depending on China for rare-earths is a risky game and Europe knows it.
The EUs Critical Raw Materials Act came into force this month.
The law aims to cut the blocs reliance of foreign sources of materials including rare-earth metals.
However, the holy grail is creating a magnet that doesnt require these rare-earths at all.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
