A magnetic material developed by Toshiba Corp. engineers promises to reduce electricity consumption in motors while improving efficiency. The material is composed of flaky magnetic metal particles with different magnetic properties tailored to deliver excellent control of magnetic flux, ultra-low magnetic loss and high heat resistance.

Use of the material as wedges in a motor raises energy conversion efficiency, particularly in a medium to large Flow of magnetic flux controlled by the material when used as a magnetic wedge in a motor. Source: Toshiba Corporationinduction motor. Tests in an induction motor in a railway rolling stock drive systems demonstrated a 0.9% efficiency increase for an improvement approaching the efficiency of permanent magnet synchronous motors. The material can be installed at minimal cost with no need for design changes.

Excellent heat resistance also renders the material suitable for applications in automobiles, robots, and industrial and medical equipment. Compacting flaky magnetic particles with a heat-resistant binder heightens thermal stability even when maintained in a 220° C environment for a long period of time. If used in all motors operating worldwide today with the same level of efficiency improvement documented by Toshiba engineers, it could result in the elimination of ten 1 GW power plants.