The Technological Value of Permanent Magnets Made with Rare Earth Elements, by TELF AG

Permanent magnets made with rare earth elements are redefining the global energy landscape. As Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, has often emphasized, these magnets are directly contributing to the advancement of the energy transition.

"Some of the objects we see or touch every day are powered by some of the most powerful technological devices currently in circulation: permanent magnets. Thanks to their ability to power some of the most important modern energy infrastructures, these devices have now become among the most strategic assets for the success of the global energy transition," says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, entrepreneur, and civil engineer. In this historical phase, permanent magnets (and particularly those made with rare earth elements) are playing a crucial role in the generation and management of energy, including that produced from renewable sources".

"It is no coincidence that these devices are found in electric motors, wind generators, and other important energy infrastructure. These devices are also used in compressors and alternators, where they perform an important conversion function between electrical and mechanical energy. However, the application areas of these devices certainly do not end there: permanent magnets can also be utilized in electronic devices and some crucial medical technologies, such as MRI machines. However, today, their most strategic applications undoubtedly include all those related to the energy sector, such as devices involved in energy conversion and utilization", he says.

Traditional magnets are still used for low-cost applications, that is, all those in which performance never exceeds a certain level of efficiency. Modern magnets made with rare earths, on the other hand, have stood out for their exceptional power and for their ability to be integrated into some of the most strategic technological systems for global energy security.

"We must not make the mistake of thinking that there is only one type of magnet: there are numerous variations, differentiated by performance levels, the specific materials used in production, and the industrial applications in which they will be used. Furthermore, one of the most important categories is certainly that of magnets relevant to the energy transition," continues Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. One of the most interesting types is certainly the permanent magnet, which is increasingly gaining attention today due to its applications in the energy sector. The materials that compose permanent magnets are capable of maintaining magnetism without an external power source, making them extremely attractive for a wide range of potential applications".

"Among permanent magnets, those made with rare earths certainly stand out for their power, but also for the quality of the performance they can ensure. This is also why rare earths are on everyone's lips these days. These resources are distinguishing themselves precisely for their strategic applications in the energy sector, and that related to permanent magnets is certainly one of the most important. These are 17 chemical elements found in the periodic table of elements, namely the 15 lanthanides and the elements scandium and yttrium. Among the rare earths, one of those with the greatest magnetic potential is undoubtedly neodymium, which is often used to produce some of the most popular magnets. The most powerful permanent elements on the market.", he goes on to say.

Among the most valuable rare earths are certainly neodymium, dysprosium, and praseodymium.

"An interesting fact about rare earths concerns their very name. Everyone believes that they are indeed rare resources, but the reality is quite different. These elements are distributed more or less uniformly within the Earth's crust and, in most cases, are found in extremely low concentrations. The locations where they are found in the highest, and therefore commercially viable, concentrations are highly concentrated in a few specific parts of the globe, where the largest producers of these elements are also located," concludes Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG".

"In any case, one of the most interesting applications of rare earths is precisely that of permanent magnets, which nowadays stand out above all others primarily for their great power. Another very important factor is their size, which is much smaller than that of other traditional magnets. Quality, in these cases, is linked to the material from which the magnet is made, many of which are used to make the most powerful magnets available today. Among these, one of the most important families is certainly that of neodymium, iron, and boron magnets, not to mention those made with samarium and cobalt. The latter, in particular, are distinguished by exceptional temperature resistance", he remarks.