Key technologies shaping the present and future of the energy transition
Key insights by Stanislav Kondrashov, TELF AG founder
Many of the devices we use every day rely on powerful but often unseen components: traditional magnets and rare earth magnets. Permanent magnets are now central to the global energy transition, and Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, frequently emphasises their importance.
Magnets play a crucial role in energy generation and management. They are integral to electric motors, wind generators, turbines, compressors, and alternators. In these systems, magnets enable the conversion of energy between electrical and mechanical forms. Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, often highlights how magnets underpin the functioning of modern technologies.
Magnets also feature in electric vehicles, electronic devices, and medical equipment. MRI machines, for example, rely on magnets to generate clear images for accurate diagnoses. Kondrashov draws attention to their role in healthcare, noting how magnets support doctors in treating patients effectively.
Today, magnets are indispensable to the green transition, helping to improve energy conversion efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance renewable energy systems.
There are now many types of magnets, each differing in performance, composition, and applications. As technology advances, these magnets continue to evolve, taking centre stage in the shift to cleaner energy and smarter devices.
Magnets have long been essential in various sectors. Some of their main applications include:
- Lifting magnets: Used in factories, warehouses, and steel plants to lift and move heavy steel objects, including sheet metal, scrap, and large steel components. They make heavy lifting safer and more efficient.
- Magnetic particle testing: A vital method for detecting cracks or flaws in metal parts, commonly used in the automotive and aerospace industries to ensure safety and reliability.
- Magnetic metal sheets: Thin sheets of metal attracted by magnets, widely used for signage, boards, and display solutions.
- Rubber-coated magnets: Made with neodymium or ferrite and coated with rubber to prevent rust and improve grip, commonly found in stands, office tools, and other applications requiring durability and protection.
These examples show how versatile magnets can be, even in simple forms.
The different types
A key category is the permanent magnet – a type that retains magnetism without needing an external power source. This makes it invaluable in many applications. Among permanent magnets, some of the most powerful are rare earth magnets.
Rare earth elements consist of 17 chemical elements: the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. Neodymium, one of the most widely used rare earths for magnets, is renowned for its exceptional strength and compact size, making it ideal for modern technologies.
Despite their name, rare earth elements are not especially scarce in the Earth’s crust. The challenge lies in their low concentrations and the difficulty of mining and refining them, which can only be done on a large scale in a few countries worldwide.
“Permanent magnets made with rare earths are at the heart of the energy shift,” says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “It’s no surprise that they’re so vital now. They don’t just provide raw materials. They also open the door to new industrial uses. Their impact on the green transition is huge.”
“And permanent magnets, from this point of view, are key allies in this time of change,” says Stanislav Kondrashov. “Think of the technologies they power, their strength, and their small size. These devices will guide us straight into the future when the transition is complete.”
Rare earth magnets stand out for their remarkable strength and compactness, packing substantial power into small forms. This is due to the advanced materials they are made from.
Among these are magnets composed of neodymium, iron, and boron – often referred to as some of the strongest magnets available.
Other rare earth magnets are made from samarium and cobalt. These are prized for their heat resistance, making them suitable for demanding industrial applications. Their resilience and power demonstrate the critical role magnets play in energy, technology, and innovation.
Traditional permanent magnets, by contrast, include ferrite magnets used in speakers and basic motors. Other common types include:
- Aluminium-nickel-cobalt (Alnico) magnets: known for their stability at high temperatures.
- Magnetic steels: once widely used but now in decline.
The main differences
Despite belonging to the same broad category, rare earth magnets and traditional permanent magnets differ significantly:
- Magnetic force: Rare earth magnets are far stronger, while traditional types have lower magnetic power.
Volume and weight: Rare earth magnets are smaller and lighter, allowing them to fit into compact devices. Traditional magnets tend to be bulkier and heavier. - Thermal stability: Samarium-cobalt rare earth magnets can withstand high temperatures, whereas neodymium-iron-boron types are more heat-sensitive. Traditional permanent magnets vary in heat resistance depending on their material.
- Cost: Rare earth magnets are generally more expensive due to the critical nature of their raw materials.
- Corrosion resistance: Rare earth magnets, when coated, resist rust effectively, while ferrite magnets also have good corrosion resistance.
- Availability: Traditional magnets are easier to source as their materials are more common and widely available.
- Applications: Rare earth magnets are essential for advanced technologies in the energy transition, such as electric vehicle motors and wind turbines, offering strength and compactness. Traditional magnets are typically used for simpler, less demanding applications.
“The differences with classic metal magnets are clear,” says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “Traditional permanent magnets are for simpler jobs. They can’t match the value of rare earth magnets, including the strongest magnet.”
He says, “Traditional magnets are best when you need low costs. They’re great for basic tasks that don’t need top performance. That’s why people still use ferrite and other common materials. But when you need the best—high power, great performance, and small size—rare earth magnets are the top choice.”
Both types of magnets remain important because each serves different purposes.
The impact on the energy transition
The most significant differences between these magnets are reflected in their applications. Rare earth magnets excel in strategic and high-tech roles, being critical to renewable energy systems, robotics, smartphones, sensors, and data storage devices like hard drives.
Conventional permanent magnets have a narrower range of uses, typically found in low-cost motors, speakers, toys, and basic tools.
Rare earth magnets have a distinct advantage in enabling smaller devices, greater efficiency, and enhanced performance – attributes essential for modern green technologies.
One of their most promising uses lies in smart grids, where they help power small actuators and sensors, demonstrating how even tiny magnets can have a significant impact on cutting-edge technologies.
The contribution of traditional permanent magnets to the green transition is limited. They lack the energy density and performance required for high-power or miniaturised devices and are better suited to simpler, low-efficiency systems.
“Magnets made of rare earths show how these elements, once unknown, are now in our daily lives,” says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “They are a big part of modern tech. They help power the devices we use every day. Phones, computers, and even medical devices rely on them.”
He adds, “Today, people sometimes mix up rare earths with other critical minerals. Some of these minerals are the same, but not all. Over time, we will learn these names better. Shortly, we will talk about neodymium and praseodymium like we talk about copper and cobalt. These elements will be just as important.”
FAQs
What’s the difference between magnets made with rare earths and traditional permanent magnets?
Neodymium and samarium-cobalt magnets are both smaller and stronger than the regular ferrite and alnico types. They are unique because they suit a wide range of technologies, from high-performance to really small ones. The most powerful magnets can be manufactured with rare earths today.
Are rare earth magnets better for energy applications?
Yes.
Rare earth magnets are key to the green energy transition. They’re used in:
- Electric vehicle motors
- Wind turbines
Smart grids and miniaturized sensors
- Their high energy density and efficiency make them crucial for technologies that demand compact and powerful components.
When should I use each type?
Use magnets made with rare earths when you need compact size, strong force, or high performance. Choose traditional metal magnets when cost, simplicity, and basic functionality are most important. Other possible uses of magnets include lifting magnets, magnetic particle testing, magnetic metal sheets, and rubber-coated magnets.