Neodymium-iron-boron magnet
Imán de neodimio-hierro-boro
- Date
- 1982-1984 · confidence high
- Place
- Sumitomo Special Metals, Osaka, Japan
- Credited to
- Sagawa Masato (and General Motors)
- People
- 👤 Masato Sagawa1943–
- Field
- Matter & energy
⚠️ Disputed: the sources disagree.
What it is
The most powerful permanent magnet known, an alloy of neodymium, iron and boron. It makes possible compact electric motors, hard drives, headphones and wind turbines.
General Motors developed a rapid-solidification version at the same time; both announced their results in 1983-1984.
What it led to
- electric-car motors
- wind turbines with permanent magnets
- hard drives and headphones