SBIR Phase I: Fe-nanoparticle coating of anisotropic magnet powder for nanocomposite permanent magnets with enhanced (BH)max

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop an innovative approach to synthesize anisotropic magnet powder coated with Fe nanoparticles for high performance nanocomposite magnets. The approach for this project lies in converting the Fe nanoparticle synthesis into a deposition process. Fe nanoparticles will be deposited onto anisotropic hard magnetic powders that act as a substrate. Unlike previously employed techniques, the approach this project will take will allow the control of the size of the soft magnetic Fe-particles to the nanoscale. Moreover, it is compatible with mass production. The broader impact/commercial potential from this technology (if successful) would be Fe-nanoparticle coated precursor powder, subsequently consolidated, will lead to a new generation of high performance anisotropic permanent magnets with a maximum energy product, much higher than that of current commercial magnets. This will directly result in the improvement of the functionality of electromagnetic devices and eventually lead to new applications not possible with current permanent magnets.