You may not realize just how significant a role
strong magnets play in modern living. From the magnets that hold important notices on your
refrigerator to those that support the functionality of your
computer, there are countless items that rely on magnetic force. Where would you be without your
smartphone or
car, two important possessions that depend on magnetism to work properly? Unfortunately, there is a slight issue with the materials that make up these remarkable mechanisms... there's a shortage.
Supply vs. demand
The
Guardian Liberty Voice reported that in recent years, there has been an unanticipated increase in the demand for magnets. Since making a quality magnet with scarce materials is no easy feat, meeting this demand is a challenge. The source explained that for the past hundred years, small
bar magnets and even large
block magnets have been used for
industrial purposes. However, technology has evolved over the years, demanding new, more efficient magnet shapes and sizes. Currently, the best material to make magnets is
neodymium, which is typically combined with iron and boron. The problem with this material is that it's extremely rare.
William McCallum, a magnetics researcher at Iowa State University said: "When Neo was invented, the trouble was, in a sense, just it was too good...It drove up demand to the extent that the availability of rare earths was a problem."
Improvements on the horizon
According to the source, the majority of the world's supply of
rare earth magnets comes from mines in
China. With an increasing variety of consumer items that require these magnets hitting store shelves, it's time to go back to the drawing board on how to develop them.
The U.S. Department of Energy has launched a $22 million initiative that involves 14 teams of scientists and researchers who are looking to create magnets that use lower contents of the rare earth elements.
Furthermore,
Phys.org reported that another group of researchers from
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has also studied whether certain rare earth elements like neodymium can be replaced with less expensive, more common elements without compromising the magnets' strength and resistance to demagnetization. Jason Jeffries of the LLNL research team also noted that these developments could pave the way for more energy-efficient designs.
As quoted by the news source, Jeffries said: "Motors that need a lot of magnetic material are heavy." He continues "Reducing weight in vehicles, for example, can improve fuel efficiency or range."
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As you can see, there’s so much to know about magnets! Check out our FAQ for answers to some basic magnetic questions as well. As always, we’re here to help answer any questions you may have about magnets. Just give us a call or email us! 
