Niron has developed innovative advanced magnetic materials for high performance, low cost permanent magnets.
About Us
Permanent magnets play a vital, hidden role in modern technologies. Common devices that we use daily, such as computers, appliances, and automobiles are powered by permanent-magnet motors that convert electricity to motion. In the production of electricity, permanent magnets are found at the heart of generators.
Despite their ubiquity, however, magnets themselves have not kept pace with demands of higher performance, lighter weight machines. In fact, it has been more than 30 years since the last new magnetic material (NdFeB) became commercially available. As hybrid and electric vehicles fill the streets, and wind power generation continues to be one of the fastest growing means of producing electricity, the demand for increased efficiency needs to be met with innovative new magnetic materials.
Niron Magnetics is developing the world’s first advanced manufacturing process for the mass production of permanent magnets powered by our breakthrough material formulation. Niron’s proprietary Iron nitride magnets possess inherently higher magnetization and can be produced at a lower cost compared to today’s rare-earth magnets, and will enable a revolution in the design of new electric motors and generators.
Niron was founded in 2014 as a spinout of University of Minnesota and is based on technology that has received the support of ARPA-E, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department of Energy Office of Basic Energy Sciences.
Iron Nitride (Fe16N2)
Our Technology
Clean Earth Magnet™
Niron’s Clean Earth Magnet™ technology has four major advantages against traditional magnet sources.

Performance
Niron’s new magnetic materials have distinct magnetic field strength and enhanced temperature stability compared to existing materials.

Cost
Using low-cost input materials such as iron and nitrogen with scalable manufacturing processes, we can achieve a competitive price point for mass market applications.

Sustainability
The use of abundant precursor materials means minimized environmental damage and an enduring source of magnets and electricity for future generations.

Supply Chain Resilience
No rare earth elements are used in Niron magnets. We are immune to geopolitical turmoil surrounding the controlled export of rare earth materials.
Niron’s Clean Earth Magnet™ technology is covered by the world’s largest iron nitride IP portfolio: 30 granted and 20 pending patents across 11 jurisdictions.
Our Team

Andy Blackburn
CEO

Jiang-Ping Wang, PhD
Cofounder and CSO

John Larson, PhD
COO

Frank Johnson, PhD
CTO

Yiming Wu, PhD
Director of R&D

Xiaowei Zhang, PhD
Principal Engineer

Fan Zhang, PhD
Senior Development Engineer

Rich Greger
Process Development Engineer

Krina Damien, PhD
Principal Chemist

Blake Wolf
Materials Engineer

Chad Carda
Equipment and Facilities Manager

Matthew Eimer
Laboratory Technician

Greg Waldorf
Laboratory Technician
News
Niron Magnetics Partners with General Motors and Marquette University to Develop Drivetrains for Electric Vehicles using Rare-Earth Free Materials
U.S. Department of Energy funded project aims to develop more cost effective and sustainable drivetrain for electric vehicles utilizing Niron’s Clean Earth Magnet™ technology November
DOE Announces $139 Million in Funding for 55 Projects to Advance Innovative Vehicle Technologies
DETROIT, MI – Today, in his remarks at General Motors in Detroit, U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette announced $139 million in federal funding for