Niron Magnetics: Green High-Performance Magnets Get More Green From Samsung

Back in 2020, Barry Vogel, the director of the Audio & Loudspeaker Technologies International (ALTI) Association called me excitedly about Niron Magnetics and about a new magnet material developed from research at the University of Minnesota. Iron Nitride (FeN) was perhaps the biggest news in magnets in 40 years. Composed of common elements — Iron and Nitrogen - the potential of permanent magnets from Niron could be a breakthrough and a game-changer for the audio industry.

Warwick Acoustics is working with a number of notable car manufacturers to support the elimination of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) from their vehicles by promoting the use of its ‘zero-REE’ Electroacoustic panels. As high-profile car manufacturers and OEMs are aiming to eliminate REEs in their vehicles, the UK-based audio company says that elements commonly used in audio systems, such as neodymium and dysprosium, typically make up to 30% of REE content still remaining in new-generation electric vehicles.

We looked at the popular articles of 2021 in audioXpress.com (including selected articles from audioXpress and Voice Coil magazines), and we created this Top 10 list of news stories and online articles. Once again 2022 expanded slightly on the record-breaking year that was 2021 for audioXpress.com, in terms of number of visits and regular users of the website. Visitors from all over the world returned more often to read the more than 8.650 stories available. Which of the topics and stories published online in 2022 were the most popular? Here are the results!

Apple announced its highly anticipated update to its best-selling AirPods Pro true wireless earbuds. We don't know which model Apple sells the most, if the updated "loose-fit" standard AirPods, or the in-ear and more expensive noise cancelling AirPods Pro. The AirPods third-generation were launched in October 2021. Nearly a year after that, the flagship AirPods Pro were announced, delivering 2x better Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), longer battery life, better drivers and a new improved charging case.

In this article, Mike Klasco provides a unique overview of the neodymium supply chain, rare earth minerals trade, and its implications for the loudspeaker industry. Part 1 of the article explored the Chinese influence on the supply chain for rare earth ores and how that might have strategic implications if the trade wars between countries. This article was originally published in The Audio Voice newsletter of August 23 and 30, 2018. An extended version, also divided in two parts, was later published in Voice Coil magazine in November and December 2018.

In this article, Mike Klasco provides a unique overview of the neodymium supply chain, rare earth minerals trade, and its implications for the loudspeaker industry. Neodymium magnets are a sensitive issue for the future, given the trend for escalating trade skirmishes with China. This article was originally published in The Audio Voice newsletter of August 23 and 30, 2018. An extended version, also divided in two parts, was later published in Voice Coil magazine in November and December 2018.

A group of stakeholders from the Rare Earth supply chain met recently for The Global Rare Earth Industry Association Conference, June 25- 27 in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting was also the first General Assembly to establish a global association to develop an integrated, de-risked and sustainable value chain for rare earth materials. The Rare Earth Industry Association (REIA) was founded by 12 organisations, including Italian loudspeaker manufacturer B&C Speakers, which was already part of a European-funded project committed to the reuse of rare-earth magnets.