OREANDA-NEWS. Alps Electric and Tohoku University have been advancing a hetero-amorphous material development and commercialization project through the Tohoku University Business Incubation Program (BIP) and have successfully developed an innovative soft magnetic powder with high saturation flux density and low core loss. The new powder is expected to greatly improve performance and lead to major size reductions of devices in the power electronics field, where energy savings and low loss are important requirements.

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011, it has been anticipated that application of superior soft magnetic materials to fields from electricity transport to appliances will help to reduce the world's energy consumption. Through this project, Tohoku University and Alps Electric, both with strong links to the Tohoku region, are looking to contribute to the region's recovery and to resolve energy and environmental issues through collaborative efforts to commercialize the university's research under the Tohoku University BIP.

The new material has 20 to 25% higher saturation magnetic flux density and 20 to 25% lower core loss than existing amorphous powders. Saturation magnetic flux density is 1.6 tesla; core loss is less than 500 kW/m3 (@100kHz, 100mT). Another unique feature of the material is that it can be produced using gas atomization, an environmentally friendly method without waste liquid.

The material is expected to improve power electronics applications for automotive systems and electrical components by supporting larger currents, lower energy loss, and size and weight reductions. The project will now proceed with development targeting application to magnetic components that make use of the conversion of electrical energy into magnetic energy, including power module parts, actuators and motors.

Alps Electric also plans to participate in a joint venture centered around Tohoku University that is to be established in fiscal 2015. Alps Electric and the joint venture will carry out joint development with an eye to commercialization of new products.