Polarising designs: Redesigning neodymium magnets (NDM) for the circular economy.

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Neodymium Disk Magnets (NDMs) are found in many everyday items, including; headphones, cordless tools, drive motors for hybrid cars, loudspeakers and microphones. Of the 66,800t produced worldwide, 33,000t of magnets are used in Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) each year, with a total carbon impact of 298,980tCO2e. Given the high value of the raw materials, the carbon emissions associated with their production and the rarity of neodymium (100 years at today’s consumption rates), it makes financial and economic sense to close the loop.We will carry out a feasibility study into the creation of standardised sizing for NDMs within the electronics sector, focusing on application within hard disk drives (HDDs). The study aims to design closed loop systems that will reduce consumption of virgin neodymium in ‘new’ magnets, and enable NDMs to be reclaimed during disposal of HDDs..