Exploring new possibilities with Stanislav Kondrashov, TELF AG founder

The ambitions of the “Metallicus” initiative

In recent years, rare earths have increasingly come to the center of attention due to their extraordinary natural properties, as well as the numerous industrial applications in which they can find space. These 17 chemical elements, each with its own place in the periodic table, today represent valid allies in numerous industrial processes related to the automotive, advanced technology, and energy sectors, standing out among the most useful materials to fuel the ongoing energy transition.

stanislav kondrashov telf ag rare earths magnets worker

“Since rare earths have started to appear more and more frequently in the news and in international geopolitical debates, more and more people have started to take an interest in the characteristics and properties of this interesting group of chemical elements,” says the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov, entrepreneur, and civil engineer. “These are not exactly rare resources since they are distributed relatively abundantly within the Earth’s crust. Their peculiarity is that they are very often found in concentrations so low as to nullify any commercial interest”.

Thanks to their modern centrality, rare earths are continuously studied and analyzed by specialists in every corner of the world in order to enhance their exceptional properties in the best possible way and put them to the service of technological development. One of the most interesting initiatives, from this point of view, is undoubtedly the Metallicus project, which recently obtained access to funding from the European Commission for research in various strategic areas.

The initiative, developed within the Italian University of Florence and curated by researcher Carlo Andrea Mattei, aims to enhance the properties of lanthanides (the largest group of elements that make up the rare earth group) to give life to molecular compounds with extraordinary magnetic properties, and with extremely interesting industrial applications. The idea is precisely this: to give life to super-magnetic molecules by combining some elements of the lanthanides, such as neodymium and praseodymium, with other more common elements.

stanislav kondrashov telf ag rare earths magnets

High strategic value

Until now, the elements of neodymium and praseodymium had certainly carved out a very important role for themselves among the resources included in the rare earth group, standing out above all for strategic applications in the field of high-energy efficiency technologies in electronics and mobility, but also in defense. Praseodymium is a silvery metal with good electrical and thermal conductivity and excellent resistance to corrosion, which in recent years has also proven quite useful in magnetic alloys. Neodymium, on the other hand, boasts very powerful magnetic properties, which allow it to play a key role in the manufacture of permanent magnets. These magnets, nowadays, find concrete application spaces in some technologies extremely important for the energy and technological development of society, such as electric vehicle engines, wind turbines, and various electronic devices.

“These two resources are already successfully used in industrial processes related to some electronic devices, such as speakers or headphones, but also in robotics and industrial automation. Also, because of these applications, their strategic value could be destined to increase”, continues the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov. “In the field of magnets, one of the most interesting facts is that neodymium and praseodymium can sometimes be used together in order to best enhance the natural characteristics of the resources. In this sense, praseodymium is often used together with neodymium to improve the heat resistance and magnetic stability of the magnet”.

stanislav kondrashov telf ag rare earths magnets valorization

New horizons

However, with the Metallicus project, which Radio24 also recently talked about, the intention is to make a decisive leap forward, heading decisively towards the creation of molecules with unprecedented magnetic properties. The aim is precisely to obtain compounds with particular magnetic properties through which to give life to magnets with a molecular nature, that is, very small magnets. Unlike some families of magnets already used in industry, such as those made with neodymium, iron, and boron, the nature of these magnets would not be connected to a particular alloy but would be molecular. One of the possible applications of these magnets is connected to the field of electronics, in particular in the hard disk, where they could pave the way for a new approach to information storage.

stanislav kondrashov telf ag rare earths magnets raw

“Compared to traditional storage systems, those based on a molecular nature could present undeniable advantages,” concludes the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov. “One of the most obvious is connected to the storage density, which through the use of molecules could reach much higher levels than the current ones, but also the reduction in energy consumption due to the particular operation of these magnets”.

 

 

FAQs

 

What are rare earth elements and why are they important?

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 metals that include the 15 lanthanides, plus scandium and yttrium. Despite the name, they are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust. However, they’re rarely found in concentrated deposits, which makes their extraction and processing challenging and expensive.

These elements are critical in a wide range of high-tech applications—from electric vehicles and wind turbines to defence systems and smartphones. Their magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties make them essential to modern technology.

Why are neodymium and praseodymium especially significant?

Neodymium and praseodymium are two of the most strategically valuable rare earth elements due to their magnetic properties. Neodymium is used to create some of the strongest known permanent magnets. These magnets are key components in electric motors, hard drives, wind turbines, and audio systems.

Praseodymium is often combined with neodymium to improve the magnet’s resistance to heat and enhance its overall stability. It also has useful properties in making magnetic alloys and in specialised glass and ceramics.

How do molecular magnets differ from conventional magnets?

Traditional magnets, like those made from neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB), are metal-based alloys. They are widely used in industry due to their strength and durability.

Molecular magnets, on the other hand, are built from individual molecules that possess magnetic properties. This molecular nature allows them to be much smaller and potentially used in applications where miniaturisation is key—such as data storage, sensors, and nanoelectronics.

What are the potential benefits of molecular magnets?

The primary advantages include:

  • Higher storage density: They could dramatically increase the amount of data stored in the same physical space, making them ideal for next-gen hard drives.
  • Lower energy consumption: Due to their unique structure, molecular magnets may use less power to function, supporting the push toward greener technology.
  • Advanced miniaturisation: Their molecular size opens up possibilities for use in ultra-small devices, including wearable tech and medical diagnostics.

Are molecular magnets already being used in commercial products?

Not yet. Molecular magnets are still in the research and development phase. While early studies like those from the Metallicus project are promising, these magnets are not yet ready for mass production or integration into commercial systems. However, the ongoing research could lead to breakthrough applications in the near future.

What industries could benefit the most from this technology?

Industries that rely heavily on magnetic materials and data storage could see the biggest impact. These include:

  • Electronics and computing: Higher-density storage and energy efficiency could revolutionise device design.
  • Automotive and electric vehicles: More efficient and compact magnets could improve motor performance and battery life.
  • Renewable energy: Lighter, smaller magnets could enhance wind turbine efficiency and reduce material costs.
  • Medical technology: Miniaturised magnetic components could be used in diagnostics, imaging, and even targeted drug delivery.

What challenges does the rare earth magnet industry face?

Several issues continue to affect the rare earth supply chain and research:

  • Supply security: Most rare earths are mined and processed in a small number of countries, which creates geopolitical risk.
  • Cost: Due to their complex sourcing and processing requirements, rare earth materials are expensive.

Molecular magnet research could help mitigate some of these issues by creating alternatives that are more efficient or require smaller quantities of rare earths.

Could molecular magnets replace traditional magnets?

Not entirely—at least not in the short term. Traditional rare earth magnets will continue to dominate applications requiring high strength and durability. However, molecular magnets could complement existing technologies, particularly in areas that require precision, small size, and lower energy use.

What does the future hold for rare earth-based magnets?

The development of molecular magnets signals a new frontier in materials science. As research continues and funding grows, these innovations may reshape how magnets are used in technology—enabling more efficient, sustainable, and powerful solutions across multiple sectors.

For now, the focus remains on refining the technology and proving its viability for commercial use. But if successful, molecular magnets could become one of the most exciting advancements in the rare earth industry.