Magnets

Ever since kindergarten, I can remember magnets. It was fascinating to see them repel or attract another magnet. Even just recently when attending a conference, I was given a name badge with a pair of magnets on the back. I simply removed the one magnet and put it inside my shirt. The badge adhered to my shirt nicely. There is something bigger going on.

This week, The New York Times published a story entitled “China Halts Critical Exports as Trade War Intensifies”. The byline said, “Beijing has suspended exports of certain rare earth minerals and magnets that are crucial for the world’s car, semiconductor and aerospace industries.” That is the first time I have seen magnets make the front page. In this article I will write about the fascinating history and future of magnets.

Magnets, with their mysterious ability to attract and repel, have fascinated humans for millennia. From their ancient discovery to their critical role in modern technology, magnets continue to shape our world. Let’s start with the history.

The history of magnets dates back thousands of years. According to Greek legend, a shepherd named Magnes discovered magnetism in Magnesia (modern-day Turkey) when the iron tip of his staff stuck to a rock. This naturally magnetic rock, later called lodestone or magnetite, became the first known source of magnetism. Ancient civilizations like the Chinese and Greeks independently discovered lodestones and began studying their properties. The Chinese even used lodestones as early compasses for navigation as early as the 11th century.

Scientific exploration of magnetism advanced significantly during the Renaissance. In 1600, English scientist William Gilbert published De Magnete, where he described techniques for creating artificial magnets from steel and theorized that Earth itself was a giant magnet. The 19th century saw further breakthroughs with Hans Christian Ørsted’s discovery of electromagnetism in 1820, linking electricity and magnetism for the first time. This laid the groundwork for modern magnetic technologies. Before I get into rare-earth magnets, let me first explain what rare earth means.

“Rare earth” refers to a group of 17 metallic elements in the periodic table. These elements are called “rare earths” not because they are scarce in the Earth’s crust, they are actually relatively abundant, but because they are typically dispersed and rarely found in concentrated, economically mineable deposits. Rare earth elements have unique chemical, magnetic, and optical properties, making them indispensable in modern technologies. They are used in electronics, magnets, lasers, glass, renewable energy technologies, and many industrial processes.

Rare-earth magnets represent a significant leap in magnetic technology and have been called a modern marvel. Developed in the 1970s and 1980s, these magnets are made from alloys of rare-earth elements like neodymium and samarium, combined with transition metals such as iron or cobalt. They are the strongest permanent magnets available today, producing magnetic fields far stronger than traditional ferrite or alnico magnets.

The invention of rare-earth magnets began in 1966 when researchers at the U.S. Air Force Materials Laboratory discovered an alloy of yttrium and cobalt had exceptional magnetic properties. Further discoveries through the 1970s and in the 1980s found magnets with superior strength and affordability. China dominates global production, accounting for over 90 percent of rare-earth magnet manufacturing as of 2025. This reliance on a single country has spurred research into alternative materials and recycling methods to reduce dependency on rare earths.

Magnets are indispensable in countless industries and everyday life. Their applications span from simple household uses to critical roles in advanced technologies. Magnets are essential components in devices like hard drives, speakers, and smartphones. They store data, convert electrical signals into sound, and enable vibration functions. In the medical field, magnets power Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, which use strong magnetic fields to create detailed images of internal organs. They are also used in surgical tools and emerging therapies like magnetic drug delivery systems.

In transportation, high-speed maglev trains use powerful electromagnets for propulsion and levitation, reducing friction and enabling speeds exceeding 300 mph. I once took a maglev train ride from downtown Shanghai to the international airport. It was like going from Manhattan to JFK Airport except it took 20 minutes instead of an hour and 20 minutes. In energy generation, magnets play a central role in wind turbines and hydroelectric generators by converting mechanical energy into electricity.

In the recycling industry, electromagnets help separate ferrous metals from non-ferrous materials at recycling facilities, improving efficiency and reducing waste. In manufacturing, magnets lift heavy metal parts and drive conveyor systems. In everyday life, we find magnets on refrigerators, in jewelry clasps. Magnets are ubiquitous in daily life.

The future of magnet technology is brimming with possibilities as researchers push the boundaries of performance, sustainability, and innovation. To address supply chain concerns around rare earths, companies like Niron Magnetics are developing iron-based alternatives such as iron nitride magnets. These materials could rival neodymium magnets in strength while being more sustainable and cost-effective. Beyond transportation, maglev technology is being explored for applications like freight logistics and renewable energy generation through wind or oceanic power systems.

Researchers are working on materials with higher coercivity (resistance to demagnetization) and greater temperature stability for use in electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, and space exploration. Efforts to recycle rare-earth materials from old devices aim to reduce environmental impact while meeting growing demand for magnets in green technologies like EV motors and renewable energy systems. Advances in material science are enabling smaller yet more powerful magnetic components for compact devices like wearables, medical implants, and Internet of Things sensors. Smart magnetic systems equipped with sensors allow real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance in industrial applications, enhancing efficiency and reducing downtime. Innovations in high-temperature superconducting electromagnets could revolutionize fusion power plants by making them more efficient and durable under extreme conditions. The promise of fusion power may depend on magnets.

In summary, from ancient lodestones to cutting-edge rare-earth alloys, magnets have come a long way in shaping human civilization. Their applications touch nearly every aspect of modern life: electronics, medicine, transportation, energy production. Magnets hold immense potential for future innovations. As we strive toward a more sustainable world powered by renewable energy and advanced technologies, magnets will remain at the forefront of progress. With ongoing research into alternative materials and innovative designs, the future of magnet technology promises even greater possibilities for improving our lives while protecting our planet.

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