The object
Masato Sagawa developed the neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet, combining neodymium, iron and boron through a sintering process. Its exceptionally strong field enabled compact motors, hard drives and other high-performance hardware, making it important to computing, medical technology and lower-carbon energy systems.
01
What Masato did
Developed the neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet using a sintered boron-containing crystal structure.
02
Why it matters
The EPO made Sagawa its 2024 Non-EPO Countries winner and describes the magnets as crucial to a wide range of high-tech applications.
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Living-status check
The EPO's dated 9 July 2024 winners announcement names Sagawa as the 2024 Non-EPO Countries award recipient, positive living evidence.