august 2011

Research & Development

Rare Coupling of Magnetic and Electric Properties in a Single Material
Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory have observed a new way that magnetic and electric properties, which have a long history of ignoring and counteracting each other, can coexist in a special class of metals. These materials, known as multiferroics, could serve as the basis for the next generation of faster and energy-efficient logic, memory, and sensing technology.

Ferromagnets are materials that display a permanent magnetic moment, or magnetic direction, similar to how a compass needle always points north. They assist in a variety of daily tasks, from sticking a reminder to the fridge door to storing information on a computer’s hard drive. Ferroelectrics are materials that display a permanent electric polarization, a set direction of charge, and respond to the application of an electric field by switching this direction. They are commonly used in applications like sonar, medical imaging, and sensors.

“In principle, the coupling of an ordered magnetic material with an ordered electric material could lead to very useful devices,” said Brookhaven physicist Stuart Wilkins, one of the paper’s authors. “For instance, one could imagine a device in which information is written by application of an electric field and read by detecting its magnetic state. This would make a faster and much more energy-efficient data storage device than is available today.”

But multiferroics, magnetic materials with north and south poles that can be reversed with an electric field, are rare in nature. Ferroelectricity and magnetism tend to be mutually exclusive and interact weakly with each other when they coexist.

Most models used by physicists to describe this coupling are based on the idea of distorting the atomic arrangement, or crystal lattice, of a magnetic material, which can result in an electric polarization.

Now, scientists have found a new way that electric and magnetic properties can be coupled in a material. The group used extremely bright beams of x-rays at Brookhaven’s National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) to examine the electronic structure of a particular metal oxide made of yttrium, manganese, and oxygen. They determined that the magnetic-electric coupling is caused by the outer cloud of electrons surrounding the atom.

“Previously, this mechanism had only been predicted theoretically and its existence was hotly debated,” Wilkins said.

In this particular material, the manganese and oxygen electrons mix atomic orbitals in a process that creates atomic bonds and keeps the material together. The researchers’ measurements show that this process is dependent upon the magnetic structure of the material, which in this case, causes the material to become ferroelectric, i.e. have an electric polarization. In other words, any change in the material’s magnetic structure will result in a change in direction of its ferroelectric state. By definition, that makes the material a multiferroic.

“What is especially exciting is that this result proves the existence of a new coupling mechanism and provides a tool to study it,” Wilkins said.

The researchers used a new instrument at NSLS designed to answer key questions about many intriguing classes of materials such as multiferroics and high-temperature superconductors, which conduct electricity without resistance. The instrument, developed by Wilkins and Brookhaven engineers D. Scott Coburn, William Leonhardt, and William Schoenig, will ultimately be moved to the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), a state-of-the-art machine currently under construction. NSLS-II will produce x-rays 10,000 times brighter than at NSLS, enabling studies of materials’ properties at even higher resolution.

This work was supported by the US Department of Energy Office of Science.

Nashville is the Place to Be September 19-21

Join hundreds of design engineers, OEM's and manufacturers at several co-located, industry-leading conferences.

Antenna Systems 2011
Antenna Systems 2011 brings the entire value-chain of antennas and antenna systems together – antenna manufacturers, dealers, integrators, end-users and subsystem suppliers. This symposium is a two-day international conference focused on the latest advancements in antenna systems and technology.

Battery Power 2011
Battery Power 2011, an international conference highlighting the latest developments and technologies in the battery industry, will feature more than 40 presentations on portable, stationary and automotive battery technology, as well as battery manufacturing, materials and research & development.

Energy Efficiency Expo 2011
Energy Efficiency Expo 2011 is a trade fair showcasing products and services to help organizations reduce their energy consumption and become more energy-efficient.

REMOTE Monitoring & Control 2011
Remote Monitoring and Control 2011 will focus on the leading advancements for the monitoring and management of distributed equipment and facilities, remote assets, infrastructure, automated process & system controls and device networks. Large-scale users and industry experts will speak on SCADA, remote networking technology, security (cyber and physical), control, automation, onsite and back-up power, M2M, emerging wireless technology, telemetry and condition monitoring.

Advancements in Thermal Management
Advancements in Thermal Management 2011, a symposium for design engineers and product developers, will highlight the latest advancements in thermal technology for product design, system development and process management. This event will feature presentations on the latest advancements in thermal management and thermal technology for electronics packaging and cooling, temperature sensing and control, thermal materials, systems design and management for optimizing thermal properties.

Electrical Manufacturing & Coil Winding Expo
The Electrical Manufacturing and Coil Winding Expo is designed specifically for electrical product manufacturers, designers, assemblers, and users. Exhibiting companies will display and demonstrate their latest innovations in electrical manufacturing and coil winding production and test equipment, components, materials and services – all designed to help you produce the best possible products at the lowest possible cost.

www.infowebcom.com

MEDER electronic, Inc. is Streamlining Sensor Design with the Launch of Four New Reed Sensor and Magnet Design Evaluation Kits

MEDER electronic, Inc. has released their new Reed Sensor & Magnet Design and Evaluation Kits, designed by engineers for engineers to streamline the process of sensor system design.  These kits provide engineers with quick and convenient access to sensor systems for evaluation purposes, taking the guess work out of the sensor design process.  MEDER’s proprietary 3-D magnetic mapping equipment was used to accurately map out the activation distances in mm for 5 different position and movement configurations of each sensor, along with its corresponding magnet.

Choose from 4 evaluation kits.  All kits contain 3 like reed sensors SPST Form A – normally open in 3 different sensitivity classes, B, C and D along with 1 mating actuator magnet in a matching sensor housing.  These sensor kits were carefully selected for their popular demand, widespread use and convenient mounting options which include screw fastening or built-in threaded style mounting.  All sensors are supplied with a standard stripped and tinned 500mm cable.  Printed actuation diagrams and instructions will accompany each kit.  Pick up your kit today at Mouser Electronic or Digi-Key Corporation.

About MEDER electronic Inc.: MEDER electronic is a private company offering a complete line of Magnetic Reed Switches, Reed Sensors and Magnets, Reed Relays and Opto-couplers worldwide.  MEDER leads the way in designing and manufacturing customer specific switching and sensing solutions for products driven by all major market segments including, but not limited to,  Test & Measurement, Medical, Security, Household, Automotive, Industrial, Marine, Navigation, Farm/Lawn Equipment and Telecommunications.

BEI Kimco Magnetics' BLDC Motor Solves Challenging Application
BEI Kimco Magnetics, a company of Custom Sensors & Technologies (CST), Inc., recently met the challenging Brushless DC Motor requirements utilized in a Down Hole Oil Exploration application.

Key to the product's design specification was a motor that would deliver 7.0 Nm (62 in-lbs) of peak torque and 5 Nm (44 in-lbs) at speeds of 2,000 rpm on a continuous basis. The motor would also be required to survive ambient temperatures approaching 200° and pressures of 30,000 PSI. A final requirement was the need for Hall effect sensors for commutation.    

To meet these demanding requirements for a highly reliable and robust design, BEI Kimco designed their Model DII36-125-000A. The resulting motor measures 3.6 inches in outer diameter and 12.5 inches in overall length. High energy samarium cobalt magnets were incorporated to ensure high efficiency operation, survive the extreme temperatures, and for improved corrosion resistance. A proprietary hall sensor support structure and advanced cable strain relief system were developed to achieve unprecedented reliability under the extreme conditions. The housing design allows the motor to be filled with oil to compensate for the high pressures.

"Over the past few years BEI has developed a reputation for highly reliable motor solutions," said Walter Smith, BEI Kimco's Senior Applications Engineer/Project Manager for Motors. "We are constantly designing products to meet the unique needs of each individual application. Our customers have come to rely on this expertise in a wide range of industries."

Advanced Electromagnetic Design Tools Accelerate Production of Superconducting Magnet Systems
Advanced electromagnetic simulation software is helping a producer of cryogenic equipment to speed the development of application-specific superconducting magnets for research.  The software, the Opera 3D simulator, has been provided by Cobham Technical Services to Cryogenic Ltd. The package includes a suite of 3D electromagnetic design, simulation and analysis tools, plus a unique optimizer. This latter tool automatically employs multiple goal-seeking algorithms to eliminate the need for manual intervention when evaluating the best solution for a particular design.

Cryogenic designs and manufactures a wide range of superconducting magnets and associated measurement systems for laboratory research and industrial uses worldwide. In addition to producing liquid helium cooled systems capable of generating magnetic fields as high as 22 Tesla, the company is renowned as a leader in cryogen-free magnets with flux densities up to 20 Tesla.

Generally, Cryogenic uses its own in-house software to design the basic mechanical layout and coil structures of a magnet, fine tuning its field profile with magnetic material to meet the customer’s specific needs. The shape and placement of the magnetic pieces are critical to the magnet’s performance, and are determined through extensive electromagnetic field simulation. Following the initial design phase, the company employs Opera's 3D Modeler to create a very detailed geometric model of the proposed design, from which is generated a mesh of finite elements for numerical solution using the static electromagnetic field simulator. Until the advent of the latest version of the Opera-3D Modeler, the finite element shapes were limited to tetrahedra, but can now include other shapes such as hexahedral, prism and pyramid elements as well.  Cobham Technical Services uses the term ‘mosaic’ to define a mesh which can include this mixture of element types.

This advanced meshing feature helps Cryogenic to achieve the very high accuracy of simulation it needs much more quickly. According to Jonathan Cole, Magnet Consultant at Cryogenic, “the ability of Opera-3D Modeler to now handle hexahedra in conjunction with automatic tetrahedral meshing is extremely interesting. In the past we have handled this aspect of finite element analysis manually, using as many hexahedra as possible to secure the best accuracy. This is an extremely time-consuming process, with each iteration typically demanding overnight simulation. We now expect to produce even more accurate results within hours. Given that design optimization involves a very large number of iterations, an optimal design often took weeks to achieve. By shortening simulation times and homing in on the best solution more quickly, we expect to shave weeks off our development schedules.”

Opera-3D – which is part of the Vector Fields Software product line of Cobham Technical Services – has been used by Cryogenic for several years to simulate, analyze and fine tune the field profiles of many of its high power magnet systems. A typical example is the 5 Tesla muon detector magnet installed at the ISIS pulsed neutron and muon source at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. This split pair magnet is used on the muon beam line for a high-field muon spectrometer known as Hifi, and creates a highly homogenous and stable longitudinal field over the sample volume. Optimizing the parameters of the magnet, especially with regard to fine tuning of the magnetic field profile, was a highly iterative process involving many lengthy simulations and weeks of development effort.

Recent versions of Opera-3D include a powerful additional tool known as Optimizer, which is designed specifically to accelerate the design process using finite element analysis by automatically selecting and managing a large family of goal-seeking algorithms. The tool can support multiple design goals – even when they compete with each other – and, by eliminating the need for manual intervention, gives the designer freedom to concentrate on other aspects of the design project while minimizing the number of numerical simulations needed.

Until now, Cryogenic has devoted considerable time to repeating simulations until a satisfactory solution was found, often having to devote weeks of effort to solving a particular problem manually. As Jonathan Cole points out, “Optimizing the shape and placement of magnetic material to achieve the desired magnetic field profile necessarily involves a series of design compromises. The Optimizer software is one of the key reasons we chose this package from Cobham Technical Services. It enables us to reduce the number of simulation runs, while at the same time giving the option of considering a wider set of potential solutions, resulting in a much faster and more cost-effective approach to magnet design.”

Rhomap Aims to Meet the Growing Demand for Specialist Magneto-Transport Measurement Systems
Research and development into new materials continues to expand to meet the wider ranging needs of current and emerging technological applications. There is a growing trend within academic and industrial research and development for off the shelf turn-key measurement solutions, which combine ease of use with high level research functionality and measurement sensitivity.

In the field of functional materials, the need for specialist turn-key systems is growing as scientists focus upon research into new materials and systems for the next generation of semiconductors, photovoltaics, spintronics and ferromagnetic systems.

The new Ohmpoint Measurement System from Rhomap Ltd is a flexible research tool that offers a range of software selectable sample connection probe geometries in one system. The instrument allows users to measure resistance in two or four point geometry, sheet resistance and magneto-transport behavior, including Hall effect and magnetoresistance. The flexibility of the system also enables the user to easily select between individual measurements and batch scanning of multiple samples.

The Ohmpoint system is controlled through the bespoke Measure software interface that provides a flexible and intuitive user experience.

VPT Series Toroidal Power Transformers Offer Efficient Electronics Design Solution
Featuring up to 97.4 percent power efficiency and an efficient design using nearly 30 percent less material, the new VPT series Toroidal Power Transformers from Triad Magnetics provide a green power electronics solution that is also smaller and lighter than traditional transformers.

Compared to conventional EI transformers, toroidal construction inherently helps reduce stray fields, increases efficiency and minimizes size. Triad's transformers are constructed with a Class B, UL approved insulation system rated for 130°C that provides 4,000 V primary to secondary isolation.

The highly efficient VPT series is suitable for a wide range of applications in commercial and industrial equipment. The transformers operate over a broad power range from 25 VA to 2.5 KVA, depending on the specific model selected. With dual primary and secondary windings, it allows for maximum flexibility of input and output voltages. The VPT series features an input voltage of 115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz, and output voltage from 6.0 V through 230 V.  Voltage regulation is up to 2.5 percent from full load to no load.

VPT series transformers are designed and manufactured under Triad’s ISO9001 quality assurance program. Thorough testing procedures assure that Triad products meet the most stringent global safety and environmental standards including UL, CE, RoHS and REACH. Agency files are available upon request.

The VPT series features a rugged, RoHS compliant toroidal construction in a package ranging in size from 71 to 208 mm diameter, a height range of 32 to 112 mm and weight range of 0.4 to 19.4 kg, depending on the specific model selected.

VPT series transformers are simple to install out of the box, with mounting hardware included.  Connections are 8 inch (200 mm) stranded UL 1015 lead wire with 0.25 inch (6 mm) stripped/tinned ends.

Depending on the model selected and the quantity ordered, the VPT series Transformers are priced starting at $12.00 each in quantities of 100 units with delivery from stock to eight weeks lead time.

Brookhaven Lab Awards $7.8-Million Refrigeration Contract
The US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory has awarded a $7.8-million contract to Linde Cryogenics, who will work with two other companies to provide a helium refrigerator for the National Synchrotron Light Source II.
 
Now under construction, NSLS-II will be one of the world’s most advanced light sources, providing sophisticated new tools for cutting-edge science.

Linde Cryogenics in Tulsa, Okla.; Linde Kryoteknic in Pfungen, Switzerland; and PHPK Technologies in Ohio will work in partnership to deliver a turnkey 850-watt refrigeration system using helium as the refrigerant. The refrigerator will cool superconducting radio-frequency cavities in NSLS-II to -451°F (a household refrigerator cools to around 40ºF). Using these superconducting cavities will save about 3 million watt-hours of electricity every year.

Brookhaven Lab’s contract with Linde Kryoteknic, Linde Cryogenics and PHPK Technologies covers detailed design, process control, production, installation and commissioning.

Ames Laboratory and Korean Institute of Industrial Technology Partner on Rare-Earth Research
The US Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korean Institute of Industrial Technology, or KITECH. The agreement promotes international collaboration in rare-earth research.

The memorandum establishes a framework for the Ames Laboratory and KITECH to work together to make advancements in rare-earth processing techniques, to transfer rare-earth discoveries to industrial applications and to educate the next generation of rare-earth scientists and engineers.

"International challenges call for international collaborations, and this Memorandum of Understanding brings together the principal centers of rare-earth research from South Korea and the United States,” said Ames Laboratory Director Alex King. “We look forward to collaborating on projects that benefit both nations.”

King and KITECH President Kyoung-Hoan Na signed the agreement in Korea in April following the First International Workshop on Rare Metals, sponsored by the Korea Institute for Rare Metals, or KIRAM. King was an invited keynote speaker at the workshop. KIRAM officials also invited King to serve on its International Committee on Rare Metals.

“The importance of rare metals including rare earths is growing increasingly evident,” said Na.  “We are at the point where research and development in rare earths is of paramount importance.  I believe signing a memorandum of understanding with the Ames Laboratory is very meaningful, and I look forward to actual joint research and the exchange of technical information and technical professionals between Ames Lab and KITECH.

The Ames Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory operated by Iowa State University. The Ames Laboratory creates innovative materials, technologies and energy solutions. We use our expertise, unique capabilities and interdisciplinary collaborations to solve global problems.

US ITER Awards Contract to General Atomics for Manufacturing Superconducting Magnets
The US ITER Project Office at Oak Ridge National Laboratory competitively awarded a multi-year contract to General Atomics to produce superconducting magnets for the central solenoid of ITER, an experimental fusion facility that aims to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion energy for the commercial power grid.

The central solenoid (CS) system is crucial for the success of the ITER device, as it induces the majority of magnetic flux change necessary to initiate the plasma, generate the plasma current, and maintain this current during operation. The central solenoid contributes to shaping the plasma and acts as a large transformer, driving plasma current.
The CS system is composed of six coil packs that use a superconducting niobium-tin cable-in-conduit conductor, held together by a massive pre-compression structure. Upon assembly, the CS will be nearly 40 feet high and weigh more than 1000 tons, making it the world's largest pulsed superconducting magnet.

Nuclear fusion occurs naturally in stars, like our sun. When hydrogen gets hot enough, the process of fusion occurs, releasing energy. Fusion holds promise as a safe and abundant energy source. ITER will allow scientists to explore the physics of a burning plasma.

ITER is designed to produce 500 megawatts of fusion power for over 400 seconds. Inside the tokamak, plasma temperatures will reach over 100 million degrees C. The ITER machine will be the largest tokamak ever built.

Based in San Diego, General Atomics has a long history of fusion innovation, including the Department of Energy DIIID National Fusion Facility. DIIID is the nation's largest magnetic confinement experiment and has contributed to key physics findings relevant for the design and operation of ITER.

The United States is one of seven ITER members, along with the People's Republic of China, the European Union, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation. The ITER facility is currently under construction in France near Cadarache in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur.

The US ITER Project Office is hosted by ORNL, with partners Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and Savannah River National Laboratory, and sponsored by the US Department of Energy Office of Science.

USMMA Welcomes New Member Companies Texas Rare Earth Resources and Stans Energy
The United States Magnetic Materials Association (USMMA) has announced the addition of Texas Rare Earth Resources and Stans Energy as members of the comprehensive rare earth industry collaboration. The move increases the association’s core membership to 10, innovative companies.

Texas Rare Earth Resources is a mining company engaged in the exploration and development of mineral properties. Its flagship property, Round Top Mountain in Hudspeth County, Texas, is held under a 20-year renewable lease from the State of Texas to explore and develop a rare earth-uranium-beryllium prospect which includes niobium, tantalum and gallium. The lease with the State of Texas covers 860 acres and prospecting permits covering an adjacent 9,345 acres. Independently published data indicates the property may contain approximately 1.6 billion metric tons of rhyolite containing rare earths with an approximate 70 percent ratio of heavy to light rare earths.

Stans Energy is a resource development company focused on progressing properties in areas of the Former Soviet Union. In October 2009, Stans acquired a 20-year mining license for the past-producing Kutessay II rare earth mine from the Kyrgyz Ministry of Natural Resources. In January 2011, Stans signed an agreement to purchase the only Heavy Rare Earth Element (HREE) Processing Complex in the world located outside of China. For over 30 years, Kutessay II produced 80 percent of the rare earth metals for the former Soviet Union. Stans’ goal is to become the first HREE producer outside of China, and long term, to become a world leader in HREE development.

Together these two companies will prove to be valuable additions to the USMMA.

“Texas Rare Earths and Stans Energy represent a growing number of domestic and international companies dedicated to providing a secure source of rare earth materials to support the United States rare earth magnet industry,” said USMMA President Ed Richardson. “Our growing membership represents a secure, competitive and cooperative means of advancing the rare earth industry.”

Event Listings

Magnetics 2012: Call for Presentations Deadline Extended!

This two-day conference, being held March 13-14, 2012, 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.

WHY SHOULD YOU GIVE A PRESENTATION AT MAGNETICS 2012?

• SHARE your latest advancements in magnetic applications, technology and materials with industry-leading companies!
• SHOWCASE your work to decision-making professionals!
• BE THE FIRST to get your magnetics advances into the appropriate hands – and minds!

Submit your abstract for consideration in the program by Friday, August 26.

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