UTA Physicist Secures $1.3M Grant to Revolutionize U.S. Magnet Manufacturing

Highlights

• UTA physicist J. Ping Liu awarded $1.3 million DOE grant to advance U.S. magnet production and reduce global dependency
• Project aims to develop cost-efficient, environmentally sustainable rare earth element mining and magnet manufacturing
• Initiative targets creating a robust domestic magnet production pipeline to enhance national security and technological innovation

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Physicist J. Ping Liu (opens in a new tab) from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) has been awarded a $1.3 million grant by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to advance U.S. magnet production. The project, part of the DOE’s $17 million Critical Materials Collaborative, aims to make rare earth element mining more cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable. By using cheaper, more abundant materials, Liu’s team seeks to improve the manufacturing of high-performance magnets, essential for everyday technologies like laptops, smartphones, and electric vehicles, as well as for renewable energy and national defense applications.

Liu, a distinguished professor and fellow of the American Physical Society, is collaborating with researchers from Ames National Laboratory (opens in a new tab) and MP Materials (opens in a new tab). The team will source rare earth elements from the Mountain Pass mine in Nevada, refine them at MP Materials’ Fort Worth facility, and produce scalable, high-quality magnets. The initiative addresses the urgent need for a domestic supply chain, reducing reliance on China, which currently controls over 90% of global magnet manufacturing.

Why U.S. Magnet Production Capability Matters

Domestic magnet manufacturing is critical for economic security, supply chain resilience, and technological innovation. Magnets are indispensable in clean energy technologies like wind turbines and electric vehicles, as well as in advanced military systems. However, China’s near-monopoly on magnet production creates vulnerabilities for the U.S., including supply disruptions and potential geopolitical risks.

This project not only aims to enhance U.S. competitiveness but also promises significant environmental benefits. Traditional rare earth mining is energy-intensive and ecologically harmful, but Liu’s team is developing more sustainable methods. Establishing a robust domestic production pipeline will reduce reliance on imports, save U.S. industries billions of dollars annually, and create high-value manufacturing jobs. This transformative effort strengthens national security while supporting a greener, tech-driven future.

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