UTA team wins prize for vital U.S. magnet technology

Monday, Mar 10, 2025 • Katherine Egan Bennett :

University of Texas at Arlington physics Professor J. Ping Liu has won the 2025 Hill Prize in Physical Sciences for pioneering new ways to design magnets that power high-tech devices.

Awarded by the Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology (TAMEST) and Lyda Hill Philanthropies, the prize recognizes groundbreaking innovations with the potential for real-world impact.

Dr. Liu shares the award as co-principal investigator alongside James Chelikowsky, a professor of physics and chemical engineering at UT Austin.

Founded in 2004, TAMEST unites Texas’ leading experts in medicine, engineering, science and technology to drive collaboration and advance research, innovation and business across the state. Its members include Texas-based scholars from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and other prestigious organizations.

“I am glad that TAMEST selected our project in magnet research, which will enhance our competitiveness in this field in the world,” Liu said. “We lag behind many other countries in magnet research even though magnets are crucial components in everyday devices like laptops, tablets, smartphones and robotics, which are the key carriers for AI--artificial intelligence. All these devices rely heavily on the use of rare-earth elements that are expensive and environmentally destructive to extract. Our research focuses on using more abundant elements that can be sourced domestically with less environmental damage.”

Related: UTA powers domestic magnet manufacturing innovation

The UTA-UT Austin team will use AI, quantum simulations and experimental techniques to develop magnets that eliminate the need for rare-earth elements. With the prize, the researchers will explore alternatives with comparable magnetic properties, aiming to enhance U.S. energy security and accelerate the transition toward more sustainable energy solutions.

“Ping is doing remarkable research that will potentially benefit anyone who uses a computer or smartphone,” said Morteza Khaledi, dean of the College of Science. “It’s gratifying to see his work recognized by TAMEST and the Lyda Hill Philanthropies. His work meets their goal of rewarding ideas and innovations that are likely to make a real-world impact.”

Hill prizes are awarded in six categories—medicine, public health, engineering, biological sciences, physical sciences and technology. Each category winner receives $500,000 to support groundbreaking scientific advancements in Texas.

“Their innovation is remarkable, as is their unwavering dedication to creating game-changing discoveries that address such crucial issues in our society,” said Lyda Hill, founder of Lyda Hill Philanthropies. “Their contributions are a testament to their talent and perseverance, and I look forward to seeing how these prizes will support their efforts to shape a better and brighter tomorrow for us all.”

“Winning the Hill Prize is very significant to both me and my colleague at UT Arlington, Professor J. Ping Liu,” said Dr. Chelikowsky. “It allows us to undertake high-risk research that might not otherwise be possible. This recognition provides us with the freedom to explore new pathways and advance the boundaries of our work. This prize also recognizes the potential profound impact our work could have in predicting new materials, especially high-performance magnetic materials.”

This is not Liu’s first recognition for his landmark work on magnets. Earlier this year, he received a $1.3 million grant from the Department of Energy’s Critical Materials Collaboration to advance the development of rare-earth element magnets using more affordable and abundant materials.

“It's exciting to be recognized for our work on new magnets. Because of limited funding, most U.S. university research groups in magnet science disappeared or shifted focus,” Liu said. “Our UTA group is one of the few labs that has endured, and we have the unique capability to develop and produce magnets from low-dimensional materials—nanoparticles, nanowires, thin films—to bulk sintered magnets. We’re working toward establishing a world-leading research hub in magnets research.”

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