# Ames Lab Uses Physics-Trained AI to Discover Rare-Earth-Free Magnets

> Researchers at Ames National Laboratory have built an agentic AI tool called DuctGPT to hunt for permanent magnets that do not depend on rare-earth elements. Instead of the usual trial-and-error in the lab, the system embeds physics knowledge directly into its search, letting scientists explore the space of possible materials while the model reasons about what should actually work. Crucially, DuctGPT does not just chase theoretical performance. It factors in real-world constraints like cost, material availability and supply-chain risk, so the candidates it surfaces are meant to be practical to make, not just elegant on paper. That framing is deliberate. The United States operates a single rare-earth mine and exports roughly 95 percent of the material it does produce to Asia for processing, leaving key industries exposed. Permanent magnets sit inside electric motors, wind turbines and defense systems, so a credible route to rare-earth-free versions is a genuine strategic prize. The work is part of the Department of Energy's Genesis Mission, which pairs national labs with industry and academia to aim AI at hard scientific problems rather than chatbots, a reminder of where these tools may matter most.

_Section: [Daily AI Updates](https://www.wortins.com/daily-ai) · Source: Ames Laboratory · Published Friday, September 4, 2026_

## Wortins' read

Researchers at Ames National Laboratory have built an agentic AI tool called DuctGPT to hunt for permanent magnets that do not depend on rare-earth elements. Instead of the usual trial-and-error in the lab, the system embeds physics knowledge directly into its search, letting scientists explore the space of possible materials while the model reasons about what should actually work. Crucially, DuctGPT does not just chase theoretical performance. It factors in real-world constraints like cost, material availability and supply-chain risk, so the candidates it surfaces are meant to be practical to make, not just elegant on paper. That framing is deliberate. The United States operates a single rare-earth mine and exports roughly 95 percent of the material it does produce to Asia for processing, leaving key industries exposed. Permanent magnets sit inside electric motors, wind turbines and defense systems, so a credible route to rare-earth-free versions is a genuine strategic prize. The work is part of the Department of Energy's Genesis Mission, which pairs national labs with industry and academia to aim AI at hard scientific problems rather than chatbots, a reminder of where these tools may matter most.

## Source

[Read the full story at Ames Laboratory](https://www.ameslab.gov/news/ames-lab-scientist-provides-ai-driven-roadmap-for-future-permanent-magnet-design)

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