US firms to present rare-earth-free motors using new magnetic technology
Moog and Niron Magnetics plan to jointly display rare-earth-free actuator technology at the 2026 annual meeting and exhibition of the Association of the United States Army, showing iron nitride permanent magnets mounted in tested motor units. Niron says it has been producing iron nitride magnets and qualifying them for customers since 2025 and expects commercial production within the next 18 months. The article cites an October 2025 Council on Foreign Relations report stating that China controls up to 90% of global critical minerals processing capacity, including more than 99% of processing for three rare earth types used in heat-resistant magnets.
Why it matters: The presentation bears on the critical minerals theme, since the firms frame the technology as a way to cut dependence on foreign supply chains for rare earths and other critical minerals.