BACKGROUND:  Co-Sm is the most advanced permanent magnet material commercially available. These magnets are extremely powerful, have high resistance to demagnetization, are suitable for heat applications, and have excellent corrosion resistance. Existing metallurgical and physical deposition methods for fabricating Co-Sm permanent magnets are limited by high materials and processing costs.

INNOVATION:  Scientists at UCLA have developed a novel method to inexpensively produce Co-Sm alloys. Manufacturing costs utilizing this method can be as little as one-tenth that of other known physical methods. Furthermore, this process enables electroforming (an electrodeposition procedure) of magnetic materials on complex geometries, which cannot be achieved by other processes currently in use.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

• High performance nanostructured permanent magnets
• Dramatically miniaturized devices
• Thick film deposition for Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) devices
• New industrial applications and improved performance of known applications

ADVANTAGES

• Obtain Co-Sm alloys through a continuous, low capital and operating cost process
• Enables the electroforming of magnetic materials on complex geometries
• Provides a low cost process with simple setup, easy maintenance, low temperature operation, and low energy consumption

DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:  The novel process has been experimentally tested and verified.

Related Papers (Selected)

• J. C. Wei, M Schwartz and K. Nobe. Parametric Aqueous Electrodeposition studies of Co-SM alloys. ECS Transactions, 1(4) 273-278 (2006).

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2007-140