Ultra-low core loss in Fe-enriched nanostructured soft magnetic ribbons (www.nature.com)

Researchers have unveiled a breakthrough in soft magnetic materials, showcasing Fe-enriched amorphous ribbons that exhibit a remarkable 55% reduction in core loss, achieving an ultra-low loss of approximately 75 W/kg at 10 kHz. This advancement is pivotal for the next generation of power electronics, which rely on materials that can perform efficiently at high frequencies while minimizing energy loss. The improvement is attributed to the integration of nanostructure engineering and controlled magnetic domain structures, leading to optimized perpendicular magnetic anisotropy through positive magnetostriction and compressive stress from partial nanocrystallization. This innovative approach not only enhances the performance of Fe-based magnetic materials but also addresses the critical challenges of balancing high saturation magnetization and low core loss in soft magnets. The study identified specific processing techniques, including short-duration annealing near crystallization temperatures, which facilitate the formation of narrow stripe-shaped magnetic domains. These findings are significant for applications across electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and AI-driven automation, as they promise to enable more compact and efficient power electronic devices necessary for sustainable energy utilization and reduced carbon footprints.