Soft magnetic materials for a sustainable and electrified world

Faster switching for soft magnets The most familiar magnets are permanent magnets like the ones on a refrigerator door. However, for applications in transformers and motors, soft magnets that can rapidly switch their magnetization in response to a magnetic field are used. In electronics, wide bandgap semiconductors such as silicon carbide will allow power conversion electronics and motor controllers to operate more efficiently, but soft magnets must be developed that can respond at higher frequencies. Silveyra et al. review the development of current soft magnetic materials and opportunities for improving their performance in high-frequency operation. Materials being explored include soft ferrites, amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys, and powder cores or soft magnetic composites. Science , this issue p. eaao0195