Patent — available for licensing
Soft Magnetic Nanocomposite for High-Temperature Applications
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
Innovators at NASA's Glenn Research Center developed a novel nanocomposite soft magnetic material for use in power electronics. The material maintains near room-temperature attributes of available soft magnetics, such as Hitachi Metals' FINEMET®, while surpassing these materials in temperature capability. In the present state-of-the-art, soft magnetic nanocomposites have an upper temperature limit rating of 150°C before core loss occurs. By adjusting the composition and fabrication, innovators at Glenn increased the operating temperature range to 400°C with minimal increase in core loss. While operating at high temperatures, the material exhibits high permeability and saturation flux density desirable in soft magnetics. Test cores of the novel material show improved temperature performance compared to available materials. NASA's development expands the application of soft magnetic material, enabling efficient power electronics that are smaller and lighter due to the reduced need for cooling.