Roadshow Stop

Simply attractive: Why do magnets matter?

In our everyday lives, we deal with magnets on a daily basis - and not just on the doors of our refrigerators. Our modern lives are defined by the use of highly efficient technology that requires rare earth magnets - for example in headphones and speakers of smartphones and laptops. So-called permanent magnets are also part of wind turbines and motors of e-cars and are therefore of strategic importance for the energy transition. However, rare earths used to make these magnets, such as neodymium and dysprosium, are considered critical raw materials with a high supply risk and their current extraction and transformation methods damage the environment.

With an interactive roadshow, project partners of the EU project SUSMAGPRO show which challenges and solutions exist with regard to a more sustainable supply chain for rare earth magnets in Europe. From 21^st to 23^rd April – around Earth Day 2023 – the SUSMAGPRO roadshow will be in Ljubljana, offering an exciting programme at the Town Hall in cooperation with project partner Jožef Stefan Institute, Science on the Street and ZEOS. 

Programme

Keynote Presentation: Towards a Circular Economy for Permanent Magnets - Challenges and Opportunities

Prof. Dr. Carlo Burkhardt is Professor of Manufacturing Technology and Head of Institute for Precious and Technology Metals (STI) at Pforzheim University. He is the coordinator of the EU projects SUSMAGPRO and REEsilience, which aim to achieve a more sustainable supply of rare earth magnets in Europe. 

Treasure Hunt in Electric Waste: Laptop Dismantling Contest

Now it's the audience's turn! In a dismantling competition, participants have the chance to experience first-hand, which challenges SUSMAGPRO project partners are facing when dealing with electronic waste. Teams of volunteers take apart old laptops as quickly as possible to get to the rare earth magnets built into them (in the fan and in the hard drive). During this process, it becomes very clear how important Design for Recycling / Reuse really is!

An exhibition that sticks: Permanent Magnets, Recycling of E-Waste and the SUSMAGPRO Project

On all three days, visitors have the chance to explore an interactive exhibition on Recycling of E-Waste, Rare Earth Magnets and the SUSMAGPRO Project. The exhibition will be opened with a welcome address by Prof. Dr. Spomenka Kobe of Jožef Stefan Institute on 21^st April.