Magnetic Materials

SelfMag® magnetic nanoparticles are doped ferrite nanoparticles for biomedical applications developed by MBN’s mechano-chemical synthesis process, integrating cancer therapy and diagnostic imaging in a single theranostic nanoplatform.

The key feature of SelMag® nanoparticle is the tunable Curie temperature, which  enables precise thermal dose control and intrinsic patient safety in magnetic hyperthermia therapy, with transition temperatures adjustable between 40 and 250 °C. The self-regulated heating prevents tissue overheating during alternating magnetic field (AMF) treatment.

Surface functionalization options (glucose, PEG, chitosan) ensure colloidal stability in physiological media, controlled protein corona formation, and tailored biodistribution and tumor targeting. Validated on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, SelfMag® nanoparticles induce selective cancer cell necrosis under alternating magnetic fields with minimal off-target cytotoxicity to healthy tissues.

Beyond magnetic hyperthermia applications, these multifunctional nanoparticles serve as temperature-sensitive MRI contrast agents and magnetic particle imaging (MPI) tracers with exceptional sensitivity. Available as aqueous dispersions or propan-2-ol suspensions, SelfMag® nanoparticles provide a patent-pending nanomedicine solution for precision cancer treatment and molecular imaging.

Biomedical Applications: Magnetic hyperthermia therapy, MRI contrast enhancement, magnetic particle imaging, drug delivery carriers, cancer theranostics, thermal ablation, cell tracking.

Key Advantages: Self-regulating temperature control, high heating efficiency, biocompatible composition, multimodal imaging capability, customizable surface chemistry.

PROPERTIES

Particle size                                               50-120 nm (hydrodynamic diameter)
SAR values                                                 20-30 W/g at clinical AMF conditions
Tunable Curie temperature range      40-250 °C
 

COMPOSITION
Fe₂O₃ matrix 28-30% – MgO 32-36% – TiO₂ 26-30% – Other stabilizing phases 12-16%
 
Surface coatings                                       Glucose, PEG, chitosan (custom options available)
Dispersion media                                     Water, propan-2-ol

Materials for Sustainable Motor Applications

As part of the IT-funded FutureMag project , MBN has developed an innovative class of rare-earth-free permanent magnets based on the (Fe,Co)₂(P,Si) magnetic alloy system. These “gap magnets” are engineered to bridge the performance and cost gap between ferrite magnets and rare-earth-based NdFeB magnets, offering sustainable magnet solutions without critical raw material dependencies.

The REE-free magnetic powder is produced via MBN’s proprietary Mechanomade®, followed by controlled annealing to crystallize the ferromagnetic hexagonal phase. Post-processing optimization ensures particle size distribution and powder morphology suitable for powder metallurgy consolidation techniques and net-shape manufacturing.

Consolidation into sintered permanent magnets is achieved through current-assisted hot pressing, Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), or cold compaction with sintering, yielding near-net-shape magnetic components with retained crystallographic texture and optimized magnetic properties including coercivity, remanence, and energy product.

(Fe,Co)₂(P,Si) permanent magnets target applications in compact electric motors, linear actuators, electromagnetic devices, and sensor systems, delivering significantly improved magnetic performance over ceramic ferrites at moderate production costs. Their rare-earth-free composition and powder metallurgy compatibility make them ideal for sustainable magnet manufacturing in e-mobility, electric vehicle traction motors, industrial automation, and renewable energy systems.

COMPOSITION
Fe – Co 13% – P 14% – Si  8%

PROPERTIES
Curie temperature                 290 °C
Anisotropy field                      2 T
Saturation magnetization       110 emu/g