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R&D service catalogue

Magnetometry - R&D service catalogue

The European magnetometry network shares world-class expertise and tools in magnetic measurement (magnetometry) to support R&D and innovation in Europe.

Services

Magnetometry is a powerful, versatile and non-destructive way to characterize a wide range of raw and functionalised materials, as well as industrial processes. The later may or may not be directly related to the field of magnetism since all materials have specific magnetic signatures which can be traced or used to characterize its environment.


We look forward to hearing from you. If you have any queries or would like to request service or partner with us, feel free to contact us. After defining the problematics and potential solutions, we will select the closest and/or the most relevant magnetometry center(s) to perform the proposed measurements or R&D program.

The network can provide a wide range of services:

Services

  • Measurement service
  • R&D collaboration
  • Lifelong training
  • Consultancy
  • Metrology development

Target industries

Materials we can handle

Recycling and recovery

Enlarge the picture SEM image of a Nd(OH)3 crystal.

RECOVERY OF RARE EARTH METALS FROM END-OF-LIFE PERMANENT MAGNETS

Many valuable magnetic materials can be recovered from end-of-life (EOL) waste, in particular from permanent magnets. Permanent magnets (PM) containing rare earth elements (REEs) such as Dy and Nd offer better performance with respect of non-REE containing magnets in terms of power relative to size. The cost of the recovery process, depending of the market price of raw materials, can become competitive in particular socio-economic global conditions (see the 2011 global crisis for REE), this is why an effort is currently made worldwide for optimizing processes for effectively separating and recovering the rare earth elements that can be used by the permanent magnets producer industries. Currently in the CNR laboratory of Rome a new hybrid and cost effective process to recover rare earth elements from PM has been developed in collaboration with the SME RECMIR.

Illustration: Recovering Rare Earth Elements from Nd–Fe–B Permanent Magnet, ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng., 4, 6455 (2016)

Environment

Enlarge the picture Natural Iron oxides particles in the soil depend on soil pollution which can therefore be detected In-situ or ex-situ magnetometry testing.DETECTION OF ANTHROPOGENIC METAL POLLUTION IN IRON OXIDES

Anthropogenic metal pollution poses significant risks to humans and ecosystems, in the form of contaminated soil and ground water, as well as reduction in food quality and land arability. At Université de Lorraine, physicists, chemists, biologists, toxicologist, geographers are collaborating to find innovating solution to detect and cure soil pollution. An on-going works use magnetometry to sense the metal mobility and the bio-availability via soil iron oxides characteristics.

Medical technologies

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of particles.CANCER CELL TARGETING WITH MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES

At SPINTEC, engineered magnetic micro/nanoparticles or devices are prepared by top-down approaches and specially designed for biomedical applications. One of them use anisotropic magnetic nanoparticles, aiming at the targeted destruction of cancer cells, by triggering their apoptosis / necrosis thanks to the vibration of the particles attached to their membranes under low frequency (~20 Hz) magnetic fields. Optimization of the curing procedure and nanoparticles magnetic features relies on magnetometry measurements.

Enlarge the picture Zwitterion-coated magnetic nanoparticles (TEM image).MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES AS MRI CONTRAST AGENTS

Many medical technologies make use of magnetic materials. In particular, magnetic nanoparticles have been widely used as contrast agents for MRI or in drug delivery and hyperthermia treatment for cancer. In addition, recently new promising applications of magnetic nanoparticles are investigated about decreasing implant infection and increasing tissue growth when inserted in an appropriate scaffold.

Current CNR activities are focused on the design of high performance magnetic nanoparticle systems for various biomedical applications, which need particle characteristics including size, shape, surface chemistry, magnetic properties and toxicity to be fully understood. CNR was also involved in the NANoREG project (FP7 – 310584) regarding risk assessment and management of nanomaterials and exposure monitoring. In addition, new biocompatible materials loaded with magnetic nanoparticles are currently studied (CNR-ISM).

At CNR-ISTM chemists and biologists collaborate to design the most effective magnetic nanoparticle systems for various biomedical applications. In particular, research is focused on the optimization of the nanoparticle coating to overcome the issue of nanoparticle capture by the MPS, which hampers successful application of nanoparticles in the medical field. The medical performance of magnetic systems is characterized by magnetometric measurements.

Metallurgy

METAL PRODUCTION LINE IN-SITU CHARACTERIZATION

Enlarge the picture CRM Group has designed and runs several pilot lines that can be used by customers for testing new production routes, new products or new measurement concepts related to the metal industry.The competence and activities of CRM Group focus on metallic materials (steel, non-ferrous metals and associated materials) and on their manufacturing and processing, from raw materials up to finished products. They cover a broad range of technical expertise shared into the following key fields: Metal production and recycling, metal transformation, metal coating and functionalization and metal applications. Moreover, complementary expertise is available in the internal teams which provide scientific and technical assistance in transversal fields such as material and surface characterization, engineering, advanced sensors and measurement techniques. Through the years, our dedicated staff at CRM Group has developed advanced skills in magnetometry and magnetic sensors for harsh environments.

Sensors

Enlarge the picture R&D work on ABS sensor : from growth to characterizationSENSORS FOR CAR ABS SYSTEMS

The atomic scale control of magnetic thin film deposition, as well as their structural, magnetic and electrical characterization in micronic and nanometric size systems, has recently enabled the development of new high performance magnetic sensors based on magnetic tunnel junctions. These sensors cover a wide range of needs (HDD read head, speed sensors, etc.). In 2010, Université de Lorraine has worked with NTN-SNR and Sensitec to develop new TMR sensors for cars Active Sensor Bearing (ABS) systems. See NTN.

NEW GENERATION OF SENSORS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

IMEM-CNR-ASTER has competences in the growth and characterization of soft magnetic films employed in magnetic sensors and magneto-plasmonics. In collaboration with STMicroelectronics, the team has developed and tested a new generation of magnetic flux concentrators in Hall and fluxgate sensors to be employed in the next generation of electric vehicles. The work involved the growth of ultra-soft films on Si substrates and the tailoring of the compositional and morphological features. The team performs film growth by RF-sputtering, and structural (x-ray diffraction), morphological (atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy) and several magnetic characterizations techniques. Nowadays, innovative multilayer magneto-plasmonics films are grown and characterized to be employed in chemical and biochemical magneto-optical sensors.

Enlarge the picture CRM Group has designed and runs several pilot lines that can be used by customers for testing new production routes, new products or new measurement concepts related to the metal industry.METAL PRODUCTION LINE IN-SITU CHARACTERIZATION

The measurement systems developed by the CRM Group are devoted to assist industrial operators in controlling processes and ensuring the quality of their products. The harsh conditions in which these systems usually have to operate in the steel industry allow coping with the milder production environments of most other industrial sectors. Through the years, our dedicated staff at CRM Group has developed advanced skills in magnetic measurements, spectroscopy, continuous and pulsed lasers, on-line microscopy, optical design, visible and infrared cameras, specific lighting, home-made electronic hardware and software, data analysis and signal processing, image processing algorithms, real-time and multi-threading software, adapted mechanics, housing and cooling for harsh and hot environment, closed-loop control, etc.

Automotive

Enlarge the picture Contact-less magnetoresistive field sensor made of thick LSMO film by using the screen-printing technique. Inset: Detail of the LSMO thick film.MAGNETIC SENSORS IN AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS

Modern cars are plenty of magnets everywhere from braking systems to inside climate control. Magneto-resistive properties of complex oxide, such as the well-known La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 (LSMO) perovskite, can be used to implement low cost magnetic sensors. At ICMAB at Barcelona, by using the easily scalable screen-printing technique, a magnetic field sensor has been designed to optimize the magneto-resistive response at room temperature. The performances of this sensor has been tested in our magnetometry platform. These sensors are suitable for sensing vehicle control systems like steering, road speed, inertia (crash detection and airbag deployment), throttle, engine speed, and others.

R&D work on ABS sensor : from growth to characterizationSENSORS FOR CAR ABS SYSTEMS

The atomic scale control of magnetic thin film deposition, as well as their structural, magnetic and electrical characterization in micronic and nanometric size systems, has recently enabled the development of new high performance magnetic sensors based on magnetic tunnel junctions. These sensors cover a wide range of needs (HDD read head, speed sensors, etc.). In 2010, Université de Lorraine has worked with NTN-SNR and Sensitec to develop new TMR sensors for cars Active Sensor Bearing (ABS) systems. See: NTN.

Electronics

Enlarge the picture New method for secured electronic comparisonSECURITY SYSTEM USING THE EXTRAORDINARY HALL EFFECT

Some electronic comparator device (e.g. electronic key) have a security gap where malicious can output the memorise code and send a new code to the comparator system. Having a "hard" or "on-the-spot" analog comparison between the code (reference) and the user input (currents) would correct this security gap. Based on their magnetic film growth capabilities, clean room facilities and magnetometry and electronic characterization methods, researchers at Université de Lorraine proposed a simple electronic technology based on the extraordinary Hall effect where the security key is carried as a magnetic information in the comparator. Security key code cannot be read neither modified once it has been set. The technology is compatible with Si electronics and flexible substrate. It can be scaled from millimeter to nanometer size. See patent.

Enlarge the picture Tunnel magneto-resistanceHPROBE WAFER LEVEL TESTING

One of the goal of SPINTEC is to realize Magnetic Random Access Memories (MRAM) based on spintronic. Such memories have improved thermal stability, lower power consumption and/or faster switching as compared with current semiconductor based RAM. Thermal assisted Spin transfer torque writing in perpendicular MRAM cells allows large values of thermal stability, while maintaining a low critical current via the thermal re-orientation of perpendicular anisotropy storage layers. Optimization of MRAM relies on magnetometric characterization. Therefore SPINTEC has recently spun-off the startup Hprobe which offers a 3D magnetic field generator for magnetic devices and sensors wafer level characterization and testing.

Enlarge the picturePOWER ELECTRONICS

Amorphous and nanocrystalline soft magnetic materials obtained in the ribbon form wound or stacked into the final shape have superior application in power electronics, automotive and medical devices as: power transformers, chokes, power inverters, motor/pump stators. These products are developed and optimized within the scientific projects and the R&D works performed for external customers. Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals at Gliwice is expert in R&D activities on soft magnetic materials obtained via melt-spinning method in the form of the ribbons and final wound cores. Based on structural and magnetometry characterization, the nanocrystalline structure of soft magnet and the associated magnetic properties are shaped according to desire application.

Energy generation

Enlarge the picture Development in the energy density (BH)max at room temperature of hard magnetic materials in the 20th century and presentation of different types of materials with comparable energy density (each magnet is designed so that at a reference point 5 mm from the surface of the pole a field of 100 mT is produced).DEVELOPMENT OF PERMANENT MAGNETS WITH HIGH ENERGY DENSITY

Technical University of Darmstadt wave a longstanding experience on production and characterization of permanent magnets. Some major research topics are: Hot-deformation, recycling, grain boundary diffusion process, Rare-earth free magnets, coercivity and anisotropy mechanism, and advanced multi-scale modeling.

Enlarge the picture Magnetic refrigeration demonstrator set-up. All relevant components are labeled: (1) Power supply for electro motor; (2) Waterpump; (3) Setting for phase difference; (4) Water reservoir with heating- and cooling conditioner; (5) Water hosepipes; (6) Halbachmagnet; (7) Regenerator insert.MAGNETIC REFRIGERATION

Energy efficient cooling will be one of the most important challenges for our future society. Energy demands for refrigeration and air conditions are expected to grow dramatically in the coming decades. All refrigeration technologies have one thing in common: they contain a refrigerant which changes state, and in doing so, changes temperature. Magnetic refrigeration is the only alternative cooling technology which would simultaneously eliminate the need for harmful refrigerant gases and reduce the energy requirements, and hence carbon dioxide emissions. Magnetic cooling offers up to 30% improved efficiency as compared to conventional refrigeration technologies. Technical University of Darmstadt is working on the following topics: Synthesis, comprehensive characterization and evaluation of all magneto-caloric materials, understanding and control of critical properties, development and scaling of efficient processing and shaping techniques (incl. raw materials and processing and annealing steps), demonstrator building allowing material testing under real application conditions accompanied by material and system modelling utilizing the material libraries.

Coatings and paints

MAGNETIC INKS

Magnetic inks add to classical inks the possibility to write, storage, and read magnetic information; being employed in electronic bank processing equipment. CNR – ASTER has investigated, in collaboration with an industrial partner, the morphological and magnetometric properties of the intermediate powders during the processing of these inks and the properties of the final magnetic products.

Enlarge the picture Magneto-graphic NIPSON printersMAGNETIC PRINTING TECHNOLOGY

Université de Lorraine and NIPSON Technology SAS opened in 2017 a joint-laboratory dedicated to the development of magnetic media, innovative magnetic components and innovative characterization processes of magnetic printing digital presses. The joint-laboratory perform R&D works on magnetic materials growth methods, on magnetometry of magnetic media and writing fields, microscopic and macroscopic simulations of magnetic processes to optimize printer design. See: Nipson.

Permanent magnets

Enlarge the picture Development in the energy density (BH)max at room temperature of hard magnetic materials in the 20th century and presentation of different types of materials with comparable energy density (each magnet is designed so that at a reference point 5 mm from the surface of the pole a field of 100 mT is produced).A HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT OF PERMANENT MAGNETS

Technical University of Darmstadt wave a longstanding experience on production and characterization of permanent magnets. Some major research topics are: Hot-deformation, recycling, grain boundary diffusion process, Rare-earth free magnets, coercivity and anisotropy mechanism, and advanced multi-scale modeling.

Enlarge the picture Kerr magnetometry image of a permanent magnet at the micrometric scale.MAGNETIC GRAIN IMAGING AT THE MICRON SCALE

Magnetic imaging using techniques like Kerr microscopy and magnetic force microscopy (MFM) can probe the magnetic characteristics of grains and domains of a permanent magnet at the micron-scale.

Bulk

Enlarge the pictureSOFT MAGNETIC MATERIALS

Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals is in R&D on soft magnetic materials obtained via melt-spinning method in the form of the ribbons and final wound cores. The nanocrystalline structure and the associated magnetic properties are shaped according to desire application by subsequent annealing.

MEASUREMENT OF MAGNETIC PROPERTIES AS FUNCTION OF TEMPERATURE AND MAGNETIC FIELD

Enlarge the picture

Bulk magnetic materials possess magnetic properties which can be measured using a wide set of experimental set-ups allowing to control the temperature (2K-850K) and applied magnetic field (up to 10 T) during measurement. Institut Néel Grenoble-INP perform such analyses in order to control materials, for example the magnetization of permanent magnets or their coercive field. They are also used to control the evolution of properties in the required temperature range i.e. the temperature dependence of magnetisation induces a temperature dependence of stray magnetic fields. On the other hand a non magnetic material has always a magnetic response which can be evaluated to assess the impact of this material on the environment. These measurements can be extended to low signal materials using finer magnetometry (typically films and particles magnetometers).

Films and thin films

Enlarge the picture Detection of magnetic properties of films as a function of the addition of few atom at an interface or surface. Magnetic anisotropy goes from in-plane to out-of-plane with the addition of half an atomic layer. (Université de Lorraine)THIN FILM DEPOSITION AND CHARACTERIZATION

Université de Lorraine is internationaly recognized for its expertise in films, thin film and ultra-thin films growth and characterization. It hosts the worldwide unique tool « TUBE Daum » which is an under-vaccum (UHV) system connecting more than 25 UHV set up for growth (PVD, ALD, PLD, metals-MBE, organics-MBE, oxides-MBE), characterization (STM, SR-PES, XPS, Kerr, EBDS) and functionnalization (etching). Magnetometry plateform at Unviversité de Lorraine hosts 9 magnetometers (SQUIDs, VSMs, Susceptometers, MOKE) dedicated to thin films magnetic characterization which allow to measure hundred of microns-thick films down to sub atomic monolayer-thick films. Finally two UHV-MOKE set ups have been recently co-developped with the company Cryoscan (http://www.cryoscan.fr/en/) which allow to perform magnetic characterization under ultra-high vaccuum and for a wide range of temperatures, and magnetic field amplitudes and directions.

Enlarge the picture System for reactive molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) for (oxide) materials with RHEED monitoring set-up and an atomic oxygen source. Magnetron sputtering system for oxide and (oxo)nitride materials is also available.In the Advanced Thin Film Technology group several methods are used to grow thin films. Reactive molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) with atomic oxygen source and a magnetron sputtering system is used to study thin magnetic films. The samples are characterized by SQUID, XRD, XPS and other methods available at the group. Access to the facilities to grow and characterize the aforementioned thin films and materials in general (for example magnetic powders) is possible through the Competence Centre for Materials Characterization.

Powders and Nanoparticles

Enlarge the picture Hysteresis loops of core-shell magnetic nanoparticles (left; red: Ni cores; green: Ni@NiO core-shell, black: Ni@CoO core-shell nanoparticles). The stabilizing exchange coupling at the FM-AFM interface is clearly visible as loop shift (exchange bias). False-color SEM image of a thin film of core-shell nanoparticles and a pictorial sketch of a single nanoparticle (courtesy of prof. S. D’Addato, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia).VARIOUS USES OF MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES

The search for new magnetic materials has pushed the fabrication and study of magnetic nanostructures, in particular nanoparticles, with controllable and improved magnetic properties that will allow the development of novel and promising technologies. Magnetic nanoparticles can be applied in different fields as data storage, permanent magnets, optics, catalysis and advanced thermoelectrics. Advanced synthesis methods are now available to produce magnetic nanoparticles with controlled size, size distribution, shape, and (hetero)structure.

At CNR-ISTM in Milano, the goal of room temperature magnetic stability of nanoparticles is pursued, often in collaboration with other groups. Stabilization strategies are based on shape, composition, and exchange coupling (e.g. FM-AFM core-shell structure). Of course, magnetometry has a central role in the performance evaluation and understanding of structure-property relationships since it provides information about the magnetic behavior as a function of field, temperature, and time. More complex experiments and advanced data analysis techniques provide deeper insight into the magnetic materials.

In the CNR laboratory of Rome, a new ferrofluid for thermoelectric applications is being developed within the consortium MAGENTA (FET-proactive H2020). In the CNR laboratory of Parma, the magnetic properties of nanoparticles to develop permanent magnets are investigated in the framework of the EU-H2020 Amphibian project.

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) image of functionalized iron oxides nano-particles for disease detection and treatment.CHARACTERIZATION OF MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES

The magnetometry plateform at Unviversité de Lorraine hosts 7 magnetometers very well suited to characterize magnetic features of powders. Current collaborations include academics and companies, in the field of metallurgy (metal powder), physics (superconducting powder), health sciences (functionalized nanoparticles for disease detection and treatment), geology (functionalized nanoparticles for pollution detection).

Enlarge the picture Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of particles.MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES FOR CANCER CELL TARGETING

At SPINTEC, engineered magnetic micro/nanoparticles or devices are prepared by top-down approaches and specially designed for biomedical applications. One of them use anisotropic magnetic nanoparticles, aiming at the targeted destruction of cancer cells, by triggering their apoptosis / necrosis thanks to the vibration of the particles attached to their membranes under low frequency (~20 Hz) magnetic fields. Optimization of the curing procedure and nanoparticles magnetic features relies on magnetometry measurements.

Fluids

Enlarge the picture Multifunctional magnetoplasmonics Au-Fe oxide nanoparticles joints photonics, magnetism, thermal and health applications.FLUID SUSPENSIONS OF MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES

Magnetic properties are strongly correlated to other properties of matter and hence the magnetic materials can show multifunctional properties. Multi-active materials can be designed by exploiting the interlink and coupling of different functionalities. IMEM-CNR-ASTER has wide competence in this type of materials; in particular, in magnetostrictive, multiferroics, magnetocalorics, magnetic shape memory, magneto-optics, magneto-plasmonics and theragnostics materials. They exhibit simultaneously the combination, linking, and correlation of the magnetic properties and the structural, morphological, electrical, thermal, and optical properties. Our team has competences in the preparation of these materials in different morphologies, bulk thin films, hybrid nanoparticles and nanocomposites. In addition, the team combines different competences in structural and morphological magnetic, optical and magneto-optical characterizations and their thermal and/or cooling variations. The team is now working in the framework of the industrial project Frimag (www.laboratoriomister.it/portfolio/frimag/) for the development of novel refrigerators based in the magneto-caloric effect.

At CNR-ISTM in Milano, the use of magnetic nanoparticles as quasi-homogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of organic fine chemical is actively developed. Magnetic nanoparticles catalyze the synthetic reaction, are easily separated from the reaction mixture by magnetic field gradients, and can be robustly recycled. Efficient and fast separation of the magnetic catalyst from the reaction mixture depends on the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles that are measured by magnetometry.