National Institute for Materials Science - succeeded in strengthening "Neodymium magnet" by about 1.5 times using AI

Recently NHK News on-line reported the following:

「ネオジム磁石」AIで約1.5倍の強化に成功 物質・材料研究機構

2021年11月27日 8時42分

さまざまな電子機器に使われる「ネオジム磁石」と呼ばれる強い磁石を、人工知能＝AIを使って製造の条件を改良し、さらに強い磁石を作り出すことに物質・材料研究機構が成功し、AIを使った材料開発の事例として注目されています。

「ネオジム磁石」は、小さくても強い磁力を持つことからスマートフォンや電気自動車、それにエアコンなどさまざまな電子機器に使われている重要な部品です。

物質・材料研究機構の佐々木泰祐主幹研究員などの研究グループは、製造の際のデータをAIに学習させ、強い磁石にするために必要な要素を検討させました。

その結果、製造装置から磁石を押し出す際の温度と圧力が磁石の性能に重要であることが分かり、製造条件を改良しておよそ1.5倍強いネオジム磁石ができたということです。

AIを使って材料開発を行うことは「マテリアルズ・インフォマティクス」と呼ばれて近年、研究開発が加速していて、今回の成果もこうした事例の一つとして注目されています。

佐々木主幹研究員は「思ってもみなかった要素が性能向上に大事だと分かり驚きだった。材料の開発のスピードが全く違うと感じており、今後も活用していきたい」と話していました。

Translation

The National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), by using artificial intelligence = AI, had succeeded in improving the manufacturing conditions of strong magnets called "neodymium magnets" that was used in various electronic devices. It was attracting attention as an example of material development using AI.

"Neodymium magnets" were important parts used in various electronic devices such as smartphones, electric vehicles, and air conditioners because they had a strong magnetic force even they were small.

Research groups that included Taisuke Sasaki (佐々木泰祐), the Senior Researcher of the National Institute for Materials Science, made AI learn the data from manufacturing and examined the elements necessary to make a strong magnet.

As a result, it was found out that when pushing the magnet out of the manufacturing equipment, temperature and pressure were important for the performance of the magnet; and when the manufacturing conditions were improved, a neodymium magnet that was about 1.5 times stronger could be produced.

Developing materials using AI was called "materials informatics", and research and development had been accelerating in recent years; and this achievement was one of such cases and was drawing attention.

Chief Researcher Sasaki said, "I am surprised to find that a never thought of attempt is important for improving performance. I feel that the speed of material development is completely different, and I would like to continue using it in the future."

              So, Japan’s National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), by using artificial intelligence has succeeded in making a stronger "neodymium magnets" by improving the manufacturing conditions. "Materials informatics" is useful in improving the production of better materials.