MAGYTECH is a highly inter-disciplinary project whose primary goal is the use of new magnetoelectric materials and actuation protocols to boost energy efficiency in three technological domains: (i) data storage systems (by inducing a reduction of coercivity or, ultimately, ON-OFF magnetic transitions), (ii) tissue engineering (to promote cellular proliferation, differentiation and gene expression) based on the magnetoelectric stimulation of bone and muscle cells or neurons and (iii) magneto-electrocatalytic generation of hydrogen (and oxygen) as a green energy vector.
Several materials are synthesized and thoroughly characterized to meet these applications: transition metal oxides and nitrides (CoN, FeN) for magneto-ionics; meso- and macroporous alloys (NiPt and FePd films or NiPd(P) coated polyurethane foams) for magneto-ionics and/or magneto-electrocatalysis; and strain-mediated or strain-gradient-mediated heterostructured systems like FeAl/IrMn and FeGa+P(VDF-TrFE). The magnetoelectric actuation protocols include converse effects (i.e., change of the magnetic response of materials by the action of an electric field, suitable for data storage systems, including magnetoelectric randomaccess memories), direct effects (i.e., generation of electric polarization by the action of external magnetic fields, suitable for wireless cell stimulation), and combined (direct + converse) effects (i.e., applying and electric and magnetic fields, simultaneously, to boost electrocatalytic reactions). Cytotoxic compositions are avoided in the biological applications, whereas noble elements (Pt) are partially or totally replaced by most abundant and less costly elements (e.g., Ni, Co) in the energy generation/conversion applications. MAGYTECH aims to explore the utilization of new magnetoelectric concepts to integrate progress in diverse technological areas with the current energy efficiency and sustainability concerns, which are listed as Societal Challenges in Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe. Several disciplines (Physics, Electrochemistry, Engineering, Environmental Sciences and Biology) converge together in this proposal to provide a holistic approach to accomplish the Projects goals. Efforts are being made to bridge the fundamental research activities of the Project to the industrial sector. The ongoing collaboration between the involved partners (UAB and CIDETEC) renders a high-level, multi-faceted scientific programme that ensures the success of MAGYTECH.
