Disclosed is a method for producing a Heusler-based phase thermoelectric material using an amorphous phase precursor. More specifically disclosed is a method for producing a powder or bulk thermoelectric material having a microstructure including a Heusler-based phase with a thermoelectric effect by crystallization of an amorphous phase precursor prepared by a non-equilibrium processes. Also disclosed is a device using a Heusler-based phase thermoelectric material produced by the method. The method largely avoids the efficiency problems of conventional methods, including low productivity in scaling up caused by long annealing time, high annealing temperature, and contamination during nanopowder production, achieving improved process efficiency. In addition, the method enables efficient production of a thermoelectric material having a nano-sized microstructure that is difficult to produce by a conventional method.

Certain aspects of the technology disclosed herein include an apparatus and method for forming nanoparticles. The method includes a mechanical milling process induced by aerodynamic, centrifugal, and centripetal forces and further augmented by ultrasound, magnetic pulse, and high voltage impact. A nanoparticle mill having an atmospheric and luminance controlled environment can form precisely calibrated nanoparticles. A nanoparticle mill can include first aerodynamic vane configured to rotate around a central axis of the nanoparticle mill in a first direction, and a second aerodynamic vane configured to rotate around the central axis in a second direction. An aerodynamic shape of an aerodynamic vane can be configured to cause particles within the nanoparticle mill to flow around the aerodynamic vane. The nanoparticle mill can include a primary product line, a nanoparticle sampling line, a particle programming array, a solidifying chamber, or any combination thereof.

Certain aspects of the technology disclosed herein include an apparatus and method for forming nanoparticles. The method includes a mechanical milling process induced by aerodynamic, centrifugal, and centripetal forces and further augmented by ultrasound, magnetic pulse, and high voltage impact. A nanoparticle mill having an atmospheric and luminance controlled environment can form precisely calibrated nanoparticles. A nanoparticle mill can include first aerodynamic vane configured to rotate around a central axis of the nanoparticle mill in a first direction, and a second aerodynamic vane configured to rotate around the central axis in a second direction. An aerodynamic shape of an aerodynamic vane can be configured to cause particles within the nanoparticle mill to flow around the aerodynamic vane. The nanoparticle mill can include a primary product line, a nanoparticle sampling line, a particle programming array, a solidifying chamber, or any combination thereof.

A magnetic powder contains a soft magnetic material represented by the following composition formula, in which an average particle size is 2 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and at least a surface layer is nanocrystallized,

Fe.sub.aCu.sub.bNb.sub.cSi.sub.dB.sub.e where, a, b, c, d, and e each indicates an atomic percentage, 71.0 at %≤a≤76.0 at %, 0.5 at %≤b≤1.5 at %, 2.0 at %≤c≤4.0 at %, 11.0 at %≤d≤16.0 at %, and 8.0 at %≤e≤13.0 at %.

A magnetic powder contains a soft magnetic material represented by the following composition formula, in which an average particle size is 2 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and at least a surface layer is nanocrystallized,

Fe.sub.aCu.sub.bNb.sub.cSi.sub.dB.sub.e where, a, b, c, d, and e each indicates an atomic percentage, 71.0 at %≤a≤76.0 at %, 0.5 at %≤b≤1.5 at %, 2.0 at %≤c≤4.0 at %, 11.0 at %≤d≤16.0 at %, and 8.0 at %≤e≤13.0 at %.

The present disclosure discloses an yttrium (Y)-added rare-earth permanent magnetic material and a preparation method thereof. A chemical formula of the material expressed in atomic percentage is (YxRE1-x)aFebalMbNc, wherein 0.05x0.4, 7a13, 0b3, 5c20, and the balance is Fe, namely, bal=100-a-b-c; RE represents a rare-earth element Sm, or a combination of the rare-earth element Sm and any one or more elements of Zr, Nd and Pr; M represents Co and/or Nb; and N represents nitrogen. In the preparation method, the rare-earth element Y is utilized to replace the element Sm of a samarium-iron-nitrogen material. By regulating a ratio of the element Sm to the element Y, viscosity of an alloy liquid can be reduced, and an amorphous forming ability of the material is enhanced.

The present disclosure discloses an yttrium (Y)-added rare-earth permanent magnetic material and a preparation method thereof. A chemical formula of the material expressed in atomic percentage is (YxRE1-x)aFebalMbNc, wherein 0.05x0.4, 7a13, 0b3, 5c20, and the balance is Fe, namely, bal=100-a-b-c; RE represents a rare-earth element Sm, or a combination of the rare-earth element Sm and any one or more elements of Zr, Nd and Pr; M represents Co and/or Nb; and N represents nitrogen. In the preparation method, the rare-earth element Y is utilized to replace the element Sm of a samarium-iron-nitrogen material. By regulating a ratio of the element Sm to the element Y, viscosity of an alloy liquid can be reduced, and an amorphous forming ability of the material is enhanced.

A soft magnetic powder of the invention has a composition represented by Fe.sub.100-a-b-c-d-e-fCu.sub.aSi.sub.bB.sub.cM.sub.dM.sub.eX.sub.f (at %) [wherein M is Nb, W, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti, or Mo, M is V, Cr, Mn, Al, a platinum group element, Sc, Y, Au, Zn, Sn, or Re, X is C, P, Ge, Ga, Sb, In, Be, or As, and a, b, c, d, e, and f are numbers that satisfy the following formulae: 0.1a3, 0<b30, 0<c25, 5b+c30, 0.1d30, 0e10, and 0f10], wherein a crystalline structure having a particle diameter of 1 nm or more and 30 nm or less is contained in an amount of 40 vol % or more, and the difference in the coercive force of the powder after classification satisfies predetermined conditions.

A soft magnetic powder of the invention has a composition represented by Fe.sub.100-a-b-c-d-e-fCu.sub.aSi.sub.bB.sub.cM.sub.dM.sub.eX.sub.f (at %) [wherein M is Nb, W, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti, or Mo, M is V, Cr, Mn, Al, a platinum group element, Sc, Y, Au, Zn, Sn, or Re, X is C, P, Ge, Ga, Sb, In, Be, or As, and a, b, c, d, e, and f are numbers that satisfy the following formulae: 0.1a3, 0<b30, 0<c25, 5b+c30, 0.1d30, 0e10, and 0f10], wherein a crystalline structure having a particle diameter of 1 nm or more and 30 nm or less is contained in an amount of 40 vol % or more, and the difference in the coercive force of the powder after classification satisfies predetermined conditions.

A soft magnetic powder of the invention has a composition represented by Fe.sub.100-a-b-c-d-e-fCu.sub.aSi.sub.bB.sub.cM.sub.dM.sub.eX.sub.f (at %) [wherein M is Nb, W, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti, or Mo, M is V, Cr, Mn, Al, a platinum group element, Sc, Y, Au, Zn, Sn, or Re, X is C, P, Ge, Ga, Sb, In, Be, or As, and a, b, c, d, e, and f are numbers that satisfy the following formulae: 0.1a3, 0<b30, 0<c25, 5b+c30, 0.1d30, 0e10, and 0f10], wherein a crystalline structure having a particle diameter of 1 nm or more and 30 nm or less is contained in an amount of 40 vol % or more, and the difference in the coercive force of the powder after classification satisfies predetermined conditions.