We work on a new sustainable generation of permanent magnets and optimize magnetocaloric materials.
Magnets are needed in large quantities for electric motors, sensors, and generators in power plants and wind turbines, but also for new-generation cooling units. Thus, they play a crucial role in the energy transition. Consequently, the research on magnetic materials is one of the major pillars of our institute.
On the one hand, our activities aim at sustainable permanent magnets. These can be obtained from recycling processes or manufactured from scratch without critical raw materials (in contrast to the currently strongest magnets). In any case, they must achieve high energy densities for the best possible performance.
On the other hand, we are working on magnetocaloric materials that ensure highly efficient functionality of cooling units. Our spin-off MAGNOTHERM® is driving the market launch of magnetocaloric refrigerators and air conditioners. In the future, the technology will also be used for the liquefaction of hydrogen.
In further work, we are dealing with 3D printing (additive manufacturing) of magnetic materials, as well as magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications.
