In a recent blog post, we discussed the importance of recycling rare earth magnets. These rare earth metals play a significant role in everyday technologies, including rechargeable batteries, touchscreen cell phones, and computer hard drives. Through a project funded by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Critical Materials Institute, a research team in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) recovered magnets from used computer hard drives and repurposed them for use in an axial gap (or axial flux) electric motor, one of two basic direct drive motor configurations. The motor transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy through the electromagnetic interactions of magnetic fields generated by the magnets and coils within. The researchers were able to recover and reuse the permanent magnets made from rare earth elements in the axial gap motor without having to alter them. Beyond their use in the axial flux motors, recovered rare earth magnets could also be adapted for use in electric vehicles and industrial machinery. The rare earth ore used to make the permanent magnets is currently in high demand, but it’s mined almost exclusively outside of the United States. China produces about 97 percent of the world’s supply of rare earth elements, and they decided to limit their exports in 2010. This demonstration was one part of their project to find ways to recycle rare earth permanent magnets, which are necessary for use in laptops, wind turbines, electric cars, cell phones, and factory equipment. For more up-to-date magnetic news concerning rare earth magnets, check out our blog or read our recycling roundup!