eNewsletter

October 2009

Researchers Design New Graphene-Based, Nano-Material with Magnetic Properties
An international team of researchers has designed a new graphite-based, magnetic nano-material that acts as a semiconductor and could help material scientists create the next generation of electronic devices like microchips.

The team of researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University; Peking University in Beijing, China; the Chinese Academy of Science in Shanghai, China; and Tohoku University in Sedai, Japan; used theoretical computer modeling to design the new material they called graphone, which is derived from an existing material known as graphene.

Graphene, created by scientists five years ago, is 200 times stronger than steel, its electrons are highly mobile and it has unique optical and transport properties. Some experts believe that graphene may be more versatile than carbon nanotubes, and the ability to make graphene magnetic adds to its potential for novel applications in spintronics. Spintronics is a process using electron spin to synthesize new devices for memory and data processing.

Although graphene’s properties can be significantly modified by introducing defects and by saturating with hydrogen, it has been very difficult for scientists to manipulate the structure to make it magnetic.

“The new material we are predicting, graphone, makes graphene magnetic simply by controlling the amount of hydrogen coverage – basically, how much hydrogen is put on graphene. It avoids previous difficulties associated with the synthesis of magnetic graphene,” said Puru Jena, Ph.D., distinguished professor in the VCU Department of Physics.

“There are many possibilities for engineering new functional materials simply by changing their composition and structure. Our findings may guide researchers in the future to discover this material in the laboratory and to explore its potential technological applications,” said Jena.

“One of the important impacts of this research is that semi-hydrogenation provides us a very unique way to tailor magnetism. The resulting ferromagnetic graphone sheet will have unprecedented possibilities for the applications of graphene-based materials,” said Qiang Sun, Ph.D., research associate professor with the VCU team.

The study appeared online Aug. 31 in the journal Nano Letters, a publication of the American Chemical Society. The work was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, The National Science Foundation and by the U.S. Department of Energy. Read the article abstract here.

The first author of this paper is Jian Zhou, a Ph.D. student at Peking University. The other authors include Qian Wang, Ph.D., a research associate professor at VCU; Xiaoshuan Chen, Ph.D., a professor at the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics; and Yoshiyuki Kawazoe, Ph.D.,  a professor at Tohoku University.

Timken Launches High-Resolution Magnetic Encoder for Motion Control Applications
The Timken Company has launched a new packaged, industrial magnetic encoder designed to provide increased reliability and performance over conventional optical encoders, especially in high-shock and vibration conditions.

“This technology lets the plant engineer sleep at night, knowing his or her operation won’t go down from a common encoder failure,” said Greg Vanbuskirk, business development manager.

Timken’s THS25 encoder affords improved reliability over optical encoders, which are susceptible to failure in high-shock and vibration conditions because they rely on line-of-sight technology.

“Timken’s new magnetic encoder technology provides consistent, reliable performance in inconsistent conditions,” says Vanbuskirk. “It’s ideal for applications such as wind energy, web processing, robotics and material handling.”

The THS25 magnetic encoder achieves high resolutions, from 100 to 2,560 lines, with high-speed performance and position sensing that is more reliable than conventional encoders for demanding environments. For added durability, the product comes in a rugged, compact design well suited for a wide range of applications. Its standard package includes IP50 enclosure environmental protection with an upgrade to IP66 available.
Designers and operators will appreciate the THS25’s combination of shaft adaptability and low profile, which together provide a single solution for a range of shaft sizes and tight envelope requirements.

Bunting Introduces Next Generation of RotoGrate Magnet
Bunting Magnetics Co. has added a newly redesigned RotoGrate magnetic separator to its magnetic separation product line. This product, which is well suited for products with poor flow characteristics, features a powerful motorized rotating grate magnet, which processes material, such as cocoa, flour or starch, that would bridge traditional grate assemblies.

“The Bunting RotoGrate will remove ferrous metals from powders and granular products with even the most difficult flow characteristics,” said Rick Bigham, Bunting Product manager for Magnetic Separation Products. “We have streamlined the design elements. Also, we based the construction standards on essentially the same design, and with the same magnetic separation capabilities, as the Bunting HF Drawer Filter.”
 
The RotoGrate is available in food grade and self cleaning options as well as a standard design. These options include the ability to order Ceramic, Alnico, or Rare Earth magnets to get the holding force right for your application. Bunting can custom design anything to fit your installation requirements. Optional features include the ability to transition product flow into the grate housing and removable tube assemblies for easy cleaning.

Magnetic Field Indicators MFI-3 & MFI-4 Detect Attempts to Affect Measuring Devices with Magnetic Field Coming From Permanent Magnets
The magnetic field indicators are designed for the permanent registration of a magnetic field presence. They can be used for the identification of tamper with water meters, watt-hour meters and gas meters with the use of an external magnetic field.

When a magnetic field of the appropriate strength has acted on the indicator, the arrangement structure of the indicator’s magnetic domains, initially visible in the form of one or three magnetic geometric figures, is disturbed that leads to irreversible blurring of the contours of these figures or to their complete disappearance. The one-threshold magnetic field indicators MFI-3 register a strong magnetic field coming from neodymium magnets. The two-threshold indicators MFI-4 register a magnetic field coming from ferrite magnets (the first threshold) and from neodymium magnets (the second threshold). Both indicators are manufactured in two versions: to install on the internal surface of transparent casing or on the external casing surface of a measuring device. The passive indicators do not require any energy supply and do not have any movable elements.

New Three-Axis Surveillance Magnetometer
Bartington Instruments has released a new, low-power, three-axis magnetometer. The Mag648 incorporates innovative fluxgate technology to deliver noise performance previously only available in larger, more power-hungry devices. Designed primarily for use in perimeter security and surveillance systems, it is well suited to battery-powered applications. Its small size and competitive pricing make it a suitable candidate for integration into multi-sensor arrays.

The Mag648 is a three axis, analog output sensor with a range of ±60 μT. It is available in two noise versions: low noise (<10pTrms/√Hz @1Hz) and standard (10-20pTrms/√Hz @1Hz). The sensor operates from a single 4 V power supply and consumes less than 15 mW. Its compact enclosure (70 by 30 by 32 mm) offers a high level of environmental protection (IP67) and an MTBF of 12 years.

Eriez’ New PM Rare Earth Grate in Housings Offer Superior Protection
Eriez has introduced a new PM Rare Earth Grate in Housings.  Eriez’ PM Grate-in-Housings effectively help prevent costly equipment damage and downtime. They are essential tools for applications where product purity is crucial. Their state-of-the-art magnets remove fine ferrous material that can plug tiny valve gates and screens, or damage calendar rolls. PM Grate-in-Housings even capture and hold pellets with encapsulated ferrous particles.

“These powerful magnets are ideal for removing fine ferrous contamination from plastic pellets, flake and regrind prior to the injection molding machine, extruder or compounding equipment,” said John Collins, Plastics and PolyMag Product manager.

Eriez PM Grate-in-Housings keep customers’ plants running with maximum uptime and help prevent costly equipment and mold damage caused by ferrous contaminants.
The new Eriez PM Grate-in-Housings boast a wide variety of features, including stainless steel housing, slide gate with a release handle, two banks of the strongest Rare Earth permanent magnets with 250 F temperature capability, custom inlet and outlet sizes, custom drilled flange mounting holes, and clear door with quick release.
 
The magnets are offered in three standard housing sizes to suit specific application requirements.

Honeywell's Unipolar Hall-Effect Digital Position Sensors Include Subminiature Surface Mount Package to Help Reduce Manufacturing Costs
Honeywell has released the new Unipolar Hall-Effect Digital Position Sensors, the SS340RT and SS440R series, that include an SOT-23 subminiature surface mount package, built-in reverse polarity protection, and a low 3 VDC capability. The new devices will occupy less space on a printed circuit board (PCB) than other Honeywell Hall-effect sensors, can simplify installation and can protect the device from damage when mounted on the PCB.

Honeywell has optimized the size of the integrated circuit, saving on manufacturing costs while still meeting customer requirements. These manufacturing cost savings result in lower costs to customers. The SS340RT series is a subminiature device that is available on tape and reel, which allows for automated pick-and-place assembly, helping to reduce the customer's manufacturing costs. As a unipolar device, the SS340RT series is designed to respond to a single pole (North). The SS440R series is available in a leaded flat TO-92 style package. It is designed to respond to a South pole.

Potential applications include door or lid closure detection, speed and RPM (revolutions per minute) sensing in fitness equipment, flow rate sensing in industrial processes, appliances, or water softeners, damper or valve position control in industrial, HVAC, or residential/commercial applications, robotic control (cylinder position monitoring), float-based fluid level sensing, printer head position sensing, displacement sensor in hospital beds or medical equipment, and medication bin monitors on portable drug carts.

The SS340RT and SS440R series’ 3 VDC to 24 VDC supply voltage range and their ability to operate up to 150°C expand application opportunities. Their thermally balanced integrated circuit provides stable operation over a full temperature range. Sinking output with an open collector allows the device to interface with many electrical components without buffering.

These devices are supplied in three magnetic sensitivities:

• Highest sensitivity: The SS341RT and SS441R devices offer the highest sensitivity of the Series, with a typical operating point of 85 G at 25°C
• Medium sensitivity: The SS343RT and SS443R offer medium sensitivity with 125 G typical at 25°C
• Lowest sensitivity: The SS349RT and SS449R offer the lowest sensitivity, requiring 350 G typical to operate at 25°C

The SS340RT and SS440R series join a unipolar Hall-effect digital position sensor portfolio that includes the SS441A/SS541AT (low gauss, high sensitivity), SS443A/SS543AT (medium gauss, medium sensitivity), and SS449A/SS549AT (high gauss, low sensitivity). These devices are very small, versatile sensors operated by the magnetic field from a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. Introduces a New Addition to Family of Switches and Latches
Allegro has introduced a new addition to their family of Hall-effect switches and latches. The A1222 is a temperature-stable and stress-resistant sensor IC suited for operation over extended temperature ranges to 150°C. Improved high temperature performance is made possible through dynamic offset cancellation, reducing the residual offset voltage normally caused by device over-molding, temperature dependencies and thermal stress. Allegro’s A1222 device is most commonly used to detect the speed and direction of ring magnets for motor commutation.

Allegro’s A1222 includes on a single silicon chip: a voltage regulator, Hall-voltage generator, small-signal amplifier, chopper stabilization, Schmitt trigger and short-circuit protected open-collector output that can sink up to 25 mA. An on-board regulator permits operation with supply voltages of 3 to 24 V. Significant advantages are realized by reducing the minimum operating voltage. This device can be used in 3 V applications and additional external resistance can be added in series with the supply pin for greater protection against transient events.

Two package styles provide a magnetically optimized package for most applications. Package type LH is a modified SOT23W, surface mount package, while the UA is a three-lead, ultra-mini-SIP for through-hole mounting. Each package type is available as lead (Pb) free (suffix, -T), with a 100 percent matte tin-plated lead frame.  These devices are priced from $0.41 to $0.49 dependent on package type.  All devices are targeted at the automotive, industrial, and consumer markets with a 12 to 14 week typical lead-time to market.

Register by November 19th and Save Up to $700

Come a day early to attend one of our pre-conference workshops:

• The Selection and Design of Permanent Magnet Materials in Today’s Economic Climate
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For more information on how you can facilitate a roundtable discussion to increase your networking prospects, contact Heather Krier.

In 2010, the Magnetics Conference will be co-located with the Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference. We feel this addition to be a natural fit, one that will provide added benefit to attendees, exhibitors and sponsors of both these world class technical events. Attendees to either event will have access to the combined exhibit halls and networking breaks, receptions and luncheons. And for a nominal additional fee, attendees can have access to both conference programs.

To learn more about the 2010 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference, click here.

Molycorp Minerals Announces the Formation of Rare Earth Trade Association
Molycorp Minerals, LLC has announced the formation of the Rare Earth Industry and Technology Association (REITA). REITA will function as an independent trade association dedicated to the establishment of a sustainable domestic Rare Earth industry and technology base to meet the growing need for Rare Earth materials and products for green energy, defense, high-tech and homeland security applications.

“We are extremely pleased to be the founding member of REITA,” said Molycorp’s CEO, Mark A. Smith. “While America has one of the largest and richest Rare Earth deposits in the world at Molycorp’s Mountain Pass, Calif. facility, it has lost much of the technical and manufacturing capacity to produce the Rare Earth materials and products that are vital to the nation’s Green energy, high-tech and defense applications. In order for the US to be successful in its quest for energy independence, it will need to reestablish these capabilities very quickly. Molycorp is proud to be playing a leadership role in helping to secure America’s future energy, economic and national security, by assuring a commercially sustainable supply of these critical materials and technologies that are ultimately used in the production of hybrid and electric cars, wind power turbines, many high-tech applications and numerous advanced defense systems.”

“Today, China supplies nearly 100 percent of the world’s requirements for Rare Earth materials,” said REITA’s Executive Director, Keith Delaney. “However, as China’s economy continues to expand, its own domestic need for these strategic materials is skyrocketing, resulting in ever decreasing amounts of these materials for export to the rest of the world. In addition, much of America’s Rare Earth technology and manufacturing infrastructure has also moved to China. As a result, there are now significant gaps in America’s Rare Earth technology, innovation and production capabilities. In some cases, entire supply chains for vital Rare Earth materials and products (such as high-power Rare Earth magnets) no longer exist in the US. Individual companies or institutions alone cannot fill these supply chain gaps. It will take a consortium of like-minded domestic and international organizations to band together to do so. REITA has been formed to take on this challenge.”

Other charter members of REITA, besides Molycorp, include General Electric Company, Arnold Magnetic Technologies Corp., Electron Energy Corp., Colorado School of Mines and noted Rare Earth industry analyst Mr. Jack Lifton.

For information on REITA, its mission and membership requirements, please contact Mr. Keith Delaney, Executive Director, Rare Earth Industry and Technology Association at 303-409-7603 or visit www.reitausa.org.

Industrial Magnetics, Inc. Introduces New PriceMatch Program
Industrial Magnetics, Inc. has announced a new program called PriceMatch, which guarantees to match the lowest quoted competitive price on equivalent, designed and manufactured magnetic products and some pre-engineered, off-the-shelf magnetic products.

To initiate a PriceMatch request, an official, competitive quote must be presented by fax or email to IMI for validation. Upon verification that it complies with the offer, Industrial Magnetics will apply the PriceMatch guarantee.

For a detailed review of the PriceMatch program and its restrictions, you can view the company's documentation on their Web site at www.magnetics.com/pricematch.asp.

Philips and Bruker Biospin Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Bring New Imaging Technology to the Preclinical Market
Royal Philips Electronics and Bruker BioSpin, a division of Bruker Corp. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the development of Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) scanners, a new imaging technology, for the preclinical market. The partnership would unite Philips’ strength in medical imaging and Bruker BioSpin’s leadership in analytical magnetic resonance instruments and preclinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Under the terms of the MOU, Bruker BioSpin intends to develop and manufacture the preclinical MPI scanner at its facilities in Ettlingen, Germany. Both parties intend to co-market the resulting solution. Preclinical imaging has emerged as a powerful tool in disease studies, translational research and drug discovery. Philips and Bruker BioSpin believe that the addition of MPI as a complementary preclinical imaging technique has great potential to help researchers gain new insights in disease processes at the organ, cellular and molecular level.

MPI is a new medical imaging technology developed by scientists at Philips. It uses the magnetic properties of iron-oxide nanoparticles to produce three-dimensional images of the concentration of nanoparticles injected into the bloodstream. The potential of the technology for medical and industrial research and, ultimately, patient care, was demonstrated in a publication which appeared in the March issue of Physics in Medicine and Biology in 2009 (Volume 54, issue 5). It was shown that MPI technology can be used to produce real-time images that accurately capture the activity in the cardiovascular system of a mouse.

“We are very pleased about this collaboration with Philips on this exciting technology. Magnetic Particle Imaging is expected to allow scientists to explore an extensive range of new imaging capabilities and applications in preclinical research,” said Wulf-Ingo Jung, managing director of Bruker BioSpin MRI GmbH. “The highly sensitive visualization of functional characteristics in vivo at high temporal resolution bears great potential for small animal imaging, especially when combined with high spatial resolution morphological MRI.”

“Through its combined speed, resolution and sensitivity, our Magnetic Particle Imaging technology has great potential for the diagnosis, therapy planning and therapy response assessment for major diseases such as heart disease and cancer,” said Diego Olego, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Philips Healthcare. “We are excited about the agreement with Bruker BioSpin as it will lead to the availability of MPI scanners for preclinical research studies, which is a prerequisite for establishing the value of this promising new technology for patient care.”

A key success factor for the effective translation of new imaging concepts into practice are partnerships with leading academic medical institutions, industrial partners and governments. Bringing together such partnerships is one of the underlying principles behind Philips’ policy of open innovation. The results obtained in the MAGIC (Magnetic Particle Imaging for Cardio-Vascular Applications) research project conducted at the Philips Research Laboratories in Hamburg (Germany), have significantly contributed to the development of MPI. The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research under grant Number 13N9079 as part of the NanoForLife Framework Program. The project was started in 2006 and will finish by the end of this year.

To learn more about Magnetic Partical Imaging, please follow this link: http://www.newscenter.philips.com/sites/philipsnews/about/news/press/20090923_mpi_backgrounder.page

New Information on PM Material
The Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) has published the 2009 edition of MPIF Standard 35, Materials Standards for PM Structural Parts. Aimed at design/materials engineers and purchasing agents, the 84-page standard contains new information on many of the 96 industry-approved ferrous, nonferrous, and stainless steel materials used to make powder metallurgy (PM) parts. It features new sinter-hardened steels (FLC2-5208 and FL-5305) as well as the first high-temperature-sintered hybrid low-alloy steel material [FLN4-4405(HTS)] in the as-sintered and heat-treated conditions. It also includes new fatigue data for 300 series stainless steels and unnotched Charpy impact energy values for several soft magnetic alloys.

The revised standard also contains new hardenability (Jominy) data for two sinter-hardened steels (FLC2-5208 and FL-5305) and new corrosion resistance data for two stainless steels (SS-304H and SS-316H).

All materials property values are presented in inch-pound and SI units.

The new standard is available in several versions at a list price of $50: hard-copy printed editions, CD-ROM, or downloadable digital (pdf) format. It can be purchased online (www.mpif.org) along with other MPIF materials standards covering powder-forged steel PM parts, metal injection molded (MIM) parts, and PM self-lubricating bearings.

Integran Partners with Magnetic Shield Corp. to Market Nanovate EM Coating for Low Frequency Magnetic Shielding
Integran Technologies, Inc. has entered into a Market Development Agreement (MDA) with Magnetic Shield Corp. to accelerate market penetration of Integran’s Nanovate EM coating for low frequency magnetic shielding.   

Integran’s Nanovate EM coating process achieves similar performance to specialty discrete magnetic shielding foils, but uses a process that allows a nanocrystalline metal to be applied directly to metal, polymer and composite substrates.  The process flexibility enables applications where part size, and/or complexity makes the use of formed foils impractical.  In addition, the Nanovate EM coating also eliminates additional processes such as forming, annealing and assembly. 

“We see tremendous promise in the Nanovate EM coating when considering the decreasing size and increasing complexity of certain part applications,” said Mark Wickler, COO of Magnetic Shield Corp.

The agreement is expected to leverage Magnetic Shield Corp.’knowledge and customer base to find existing and new applications where the Nanovate EM coating would be an effective solution. 

“We are excited about the MDA with Magnetic Shield Corp. as they have demonstrated themselves to be market leaders in the magnetic shielding industry, both from a material supply and an application support perspective,” said Rich Emrich, VP Business Development at Integran. 

Integran and Magnetic Shield Corp. expect interest from customers working with sensors, transducers, and other electronic devices sensitive to low frequency magnetic interference to be particularly interested in this novel approach. 

Q&A: Rare Earth Technology Developments
With Mark Smith, CEO • Molycorp Minerals LLC

Molycorp Minerals, headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colo., is a US mining and technology company that produces and markets rare earth products and technologies. As the only western supplier, Molycorp Minerals markets rare earth materials from their mining operation in Mountain Pass, Calif. In addition, Molycorp Minerals maintains a joint venture with Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., called Sumikin Molycorp, which markets Molycorp’s rare earth products and produces permanent magnet materials in Japan. In the following interview for Magnetics Business & Technology, Mark Smith, elaborates on Molycorp’s plans related to the permanent magnet industry.

Click here to read the full article.

Magnetics 2010
January 28-29
Orlando, Fla.

This two-day conference is a leading global event within the magnetics market, bringing together worldwide magnetics experts. This is a once-a-year opportunity for professionals involved in magnetics technologies to learn the latest advancements in magnetic applications, technology and materials.

Magnetics 2010 will focus on the latest advancements in magnetic applications, technology and materials. Serving OEM developers of products that utilize magnets and magnet systems, design engineers, OEM developers involved in EMC technology and magnetic effects, magnetics manufacturers and integrators, and material suppliers in the magnetics industry.

Download a PDF Copy of the FALL 2009 Issue of Magnetics Business & Technology Magazine

Feature Articles:

The Magnetics Recording Industry: At the Top of the S-Curve?
Suspended Magnetics Separators for Tramp Metal Removal

Columns:

The Age of Sensors
Transformers ... for Transformation of Life
Magnets for Clunkers

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