NETL collaborating on project to develop magnetic components

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is working with Carnegie Mellon University, Metglas Inc. and Eaton Corp. to develop technologies that produce components with magnetic capabilities for use in motors, electrical machinery, and more.

Researchers have developed two technologies — a cobalt-based nanocrystalline alloy and an innovative strain anneal manufacturing process — that offer the possibility of customizing magnetic properties. Magnetic components are essential to America’s electricity delivery system.

The alloy itself demonstrates superior mechanical properties, magnetic performance, and responsiveness to the in-line strain annealing manufacturing process. The two technologies facilitate the manufacture of gapless inductors and other novel electrical tools that improve performance, boost efficiency, and reduce peak temperature for next-generation power technologies.

Advanced magnetic core technology has already enabled researchers to advance combined solar photovoltaic and battery grid integration, motors for natural gas compressors and subsea electrification for oil and gas resource recovery.

Metglas Inc., in collaboration with Eaton, completed the first successful scale-up cast of the cobalt-based metal ribbon. They reproduced the permeability engineering approach using the team’s custom-designed alloy to fabricate a prototype electromagnetic core.

NETL’s cobalt-based nanocrystalline alloy and strain anneal manufacturing technologies are critical to the development of future energy systems, which will incorporate varied energy sources, multi-directional power flow, and demand response.