TDK and UA sign research agreement related to magnetic and magnet technology

• Starting point for material development, based on progress of magnetic and magnet research

Jul. 15, 2015

TDK Corporation announces the conclusion of an additional alliance agreement with University of Alabama, which includes joint research based on soft magnetic material, incorporating to previous magnet research.
Specifically, the agreement between TDK and UA’s Center for Materials for Information Technology, or MINT, will, among other things, bring two TDK engineers to campus. The agreement between TDK and UA is called the MINT-TDK Collaborative Project. It builds on existing collaborations between these two entities and others led by Dr. Takao Suzuki, director of UA’s MINT Center.

“A portion of this collaboration between TDK and UA researchers seeks an alternative to high-potential- magnetic materials, known as rare-earth materials, central to sustaining the electric energy movement,” said Dr. Carl A. Pinkert, UA vice president for research and economic development. “Combining the know-how of TDK with that of our MINT researcher creates an intellectual powerhouse to tackle these significant challenges.”

“This collaboration between TDK and UA should help to better overcome the challenges in new magnetic materials development,” said Dr. Kyung-Ku Choi, general manager of TDK’s Material Development Center. “TDK believes that strong inroads have been made and pose timely opportunities in the development of both high frequency soft magnetic material and rare-earth free magnets through our collaborative efforts.”

TDK, which is diligently proceeding both industry/academia cooperation and preparation of global R&D system, would like to accelerate R&D on magnetic and magnet technology toward a creation of new main products.

About UA’s MINT Center

It conducts fundamental studies on materials for data storage, energy storage, sensors and other applications of new materials and technologies. The MINT Center has more than 40 faculties from seven departments at The University of Alabama. MINT is active in research and education through global professional partnerships, including industries, national laboratories and universities around the world.

About TDK Corporation

TDK Corporation is a leading electronics company based in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. TDK's portfolio includes electronic components, modules and systems* marketed under the product brands TDK and EPCOS, power supplies, magnetic application products as well as energy devices, flash memory application devices, and others. TDK focuses on demanding markets in the areas of information and communication technology and consumer, automotive and industrial electronics. The company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America. In fiscal 2015, TDK posted total sales of USD 9.0 billion and employed about 88,000 people worldwide.

• * The product portfolio includes ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, ferrites, inductors, high-frequency components such as surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter products and modules, piezo and protection components, and sensors.

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