Permanent Magnet Technology for Particle Accelerators

Sintex partnered with Aalborg University and Aarhus University in the Green Magnets project to develop high-performance permanent magnets that can replace traditional electromagnets in particle accelerators. By eliminating the need for continuous power and cooling, this innovation significantly reduces energy consumption, operating costs, and environmental impact.

The Challenge.

• Traditional electromagnetic systems in particle accelerators consume large amounts of electrical energy to generate magnetic fields, and rely on active cooling systems to keep components from overheating.

• This results in high operational costs, substantial energy usage, and greater carbon emissions.

• Electromagnets are bulky, complex, and prone to failure due to thermal stresses and the complexity of cooling and power infrastructure.

Sintex’s Role & Collaboration

• Sintex provided expertise in magnet design and manufacturing to scale lab‑developed materials into real-world permanent magnet components.

• The company worked closely with university research teams to refine composition, optimize manufacturing processes, and ensure the final magnets met performance and durability requirements.

What Was Achieved

• No Power & Cooling Needed
  • The permanent magnets operate without continuous electrical input or cooling systems, cutting both energy use and maintenance demands.
• Smaller & More Robust
  • Because they don’t require space or infrastructure for coils or external cooling, the magnets are more compact and less prone to failure.
• Lower Environmental Impact
  • Reduced energy consumption leads to lower carbon emissions; fewer consumable parts and simpler systems mean less resource waste.
• Cost Savings
  • Over the lifetime of a particle accelerator, the savings in electrical power, cooling, and maintenance are substantial.

Impact & Significance

• This innovation marks a key step toward making large‑scale scientific infrastructure more sustainable.

• Replacing electromagnets with permanent magnets in particle accelerators could transform their environmental and economic footprint.

• The technology also has potential spillover effects: applications in other high‑field magnetic systems (e.g. industrial magnets, medical imaging) could similarly benefit.

Future Outlook

• Further development is ongoing to improve magnetic performance, cost efficiency, and material sustainability (e.g., using less rare or more abundant elements).

• Sintex aims to scale this technology and bring it to commercial readiness, enabling customers in research, industry, and healthcare to adopt greener permanent magnet solutions.