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Dr. Sanjay Mishra

A permanent magnet is a piece of magnetic material which, once magnetized by an external magnetic field, must retain a large magnetic moment after the magnetizing force is removed. Permanent magnets have wide industrial applications, from motors and generators to space equipment. The project will investigate a promising new technology for the production of high-energy product permanent magnets for power-dense machines. In order to minimize their carbon footprint, new generation of permanent magnets must be small and lightweight,but have a high energy density and operating temperature.

The U of M study will focus on the fundamental understanding of the interplay between structure and magnetic properties of the permanent magnet that will ultimately help in designing lightweight, power-dense, high-temperature permanent magnets.

The study will provide excellent learning opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students and strengthen the Materials Science concentration in the Department of Physics. The award also will improve the departmental equipment infrastructure, aiding other interdisciplinary research activities throughout the campus.

“Clearly, the proposed research will form the basis for developing technologically important materials for the benefit of society,” said Mishra.