NASA Soft Magnetic Materials

Overview

Soft magnetic materials perform key functions in transformers, filter circuits (inductors), and electric machines (motors and generators).
Unfortunately, they are also a significant contributor to the total weight and losses of such systems.
NASA is exploring the development, manufacturing, and characterization of a promising new class of amorphous-nanocrystalline composite alloys as well as their use in devices.
A large-scale soft magnetic material spin casting unit originally developed under U.S. Army support has been transitioned to NASA and has been upgraded to increase yield and ribbon quality. This is one of the few facilities in the United States capable of producing magnetic material ribbons wide enough for the development of low power loss and high operational frequency components and devices.
A wide range of magnetic material characterization equipment is available including a custom core loss measurement system, as well as device for measuring magnetic field domains in materials.