A UK-based company called Materials Nexus has developed a new type of permanent magnet called MagNex that does not require any rare-earth metals, which are needed for many green technologies but are expensive and environmentally problematic to obtain.
MagNex was designed in only 3 months using an AI platform created by Materials Nexus, which they say is around 200 times faster than typical magnet development timelines which can take decades.
The new magnet is proposed to have material and production costs that are 20% lower and carbon emissions that are 70% less compared to existing rare-earth magnets.
The rapid development of MagNex using AI showcases how artificial intelligence can accelerate the discovery of new materials that are important for green energy technologies and the transition away from fossil fuels.
Other studies show AI is able to predict many more possible new materials beyond what has been discovered through human experimentation alone, suggesting it could help revolutionize other areas like batteries, semiconductors and superconductors.
Source: Popular Mechanics
