An Exciting Magnet Set to Transform the Steel Industry and Slash Energy Usage by 80%
Imagining a future where production requires only a fraction of the current energy no longer belongs to science fiction. The University of Florida (UF) has created a superconductor magnet capable of reducing steel processing time by up to 80%, a step that could change the rules of the global industry.
The project, funded with nearly $11 million by the US Department of Energy, aims to make UF and the country global leaders in alloy manufacturing. The key lies in an experimental method that combines magnetism and heat to .
ITMP: the method behind the discovery
The heart of the advance is the Induction-Coupled Thermomagnetic Processing (ITMP), a technique that combines magnetic fields with induction heat. This approach accelerates carbon diffusion in steel, reducing processes from hours to minutes that previously could extend up to eight hours.
Unlike traditional ovens that depend on natural gas or direct electricity, the ITMP uses a high-intensity static magnetic field. Thus, it alters the materials’ structure and allows for much faster treatments with a lower carbon footprint.
According to researchers, this efficiency represents a huge energy saving and a direct impact on energy-intensive sectors such as automotive, construction, and heavy metallurgy.
The system developed at UF is located in the Powell Family Structures and Materials Laboratory and is composed of a customized superconductor magnet mounted on a platform nearly two meters high. With a cost exceeding $6 million, it is capable of processing steel pieces up to 12.7 centimeters in diameter.
What makes it an exceptional equipment is its ability to maintain the intensity of the magnetic field even with large components, something that even the most advanced laboratories have not achieved so far. Experts from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) claim that this technology could become a cornerstone of clean steel and aluminum production.
A step towards industrial decarbonization
Beyond technological innovation, this development aligns with global efforts to electrify and industrial processes. By reducing the dependence on natural gas, the ITMP opens the door to a production model compatible with renewable energies such as solar and wind.
The system not only consumes less energy but also utilizes it better by acting directly on the material’s atomic structure. This could accelerate the transition towards a cleaner and more efficient industry, with a real impact on reducing global emissions.
Although still in the pilot phase, those in charge are confident that the technology will be ready for industrial adoption in less than 10 years. Collaborations with sector companies already exist, and in December, the official presentation of the prototype is expected with participation from the industry and academic centers.
Additionally, the project will have a strong educational impact: UF engineering students will be able to train directly in the use of this technology, preparing themselves to lead the next generation of sustainable industrial processes.
[Source: ]
