A team of researchers at the University of New Hampshire has harnessed artificial intelligence to dramatically accelerate the search for next-generation magnetic materials. Their work, recently published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, describes the creation of a vast, searchable database containing information on more than 67,000 magnetic compounds.
Among the most notable findings are 25 previously unrecognized materials that retain their magnetic properties even at high temperatures. This characteristic is critical for applications in electric motors, power generators, and other technologies where magnets must perform reliably under demanding conditions.
Why It Matters
Modern society depends heavily on powerful magnets. They are essential components inside smartphones, medical imaging equipment, wind turbines, and the motors that drive electric vehicles. However, the strongest permanent magnets available today rely on rare-earth elements — materials that are expensive, difficult to mine, and largely sourced from a small number of countries. Finding viable alternatives has been a longstanding goal for materials scientists.
The research team developed an AI system capable of reading published scientific papers and extracting relevant experimental data. That information was then used to train computational models that can predict whether a given compound is magnetic and estimate the temperature at which it would lose its magnetism. By automating this literature review process, the team was able to compile and analyze data at a scale that would be impractical for human researchers working alone.
Implications for the Energy Transition
If any of the newly identified materials prove practical for industrial use, the discovery could help reduce global dependence on rare-earth supply chains and accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies. The database itself, called the Northeast Materials Database, is designed to be a resource for other scientists, enabling further exploration and experimentation across the field of magnetic materials research.