Development of Magnetic Materials for High-Efficiency Motors

In Japan, motors currently account for the majority of total power consumption. At the same time, the electrification of automobiles (e.g., HEVs, EVs, and FCVs) is expected to increase the demand for motors. Therefore, increasing the level of energy conservation for motors is a critical issue in terms of medium- to long-term energy supplies and demand strategiesy.

The efficiency of a motor depends greatly on magnets, iron cores (soft magnetic materials), and other magnetic materials. The purpose of this project is to achieve smaller, more efficient motors by developing innovative, high-performance magnets that do not use heavy rare earth elements (mainly dysprosium) for which there is considerable supply risk, and by developing high-performance soft magnetic materials which lessen energy loss when used to power motors.

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  Project diagram