A team led by Iowa State University chemist Kirill Kovnir will use artificial intelligence tools and innovative synthesis methods to develop new, super-strong magnets, supported by a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency -- Energy (ARPA-E). The program, named "MAGNITO," aims to "find entirely new physics, chemistries, and structures for ultra-powerful magnets." The research team's project, dubbed "MAGNUMS," or "Machine-learning Assisted Generation of Novel Ultra-strong Magnets via Synthesis," will use machine learning to quickly screen possible materials and material combinations for promising magnetic properties. The goal is to identify, synthesize and test new magnetic materials that can outperform neodymium-iron magnets, today's strongest permanent magnets used in electric motors and electricity generators. This grant is part of a larger, $72 million ARPA-E effort to support "early-stage research and development projects to boost domestic magnet manufacturing and help secure America's supply chains of critical minerals."