Large scale applications of permanent magnets

The principal applications of permanent magnets (PM) are generally small scale and include efficient motors for automobiles, appliances, fans, air conditioners, office equipment, and disc drives for computers. The uses selected for discussion here are larger scale, namely: charged particle beams for various uses; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for medical applications and food inspection; and magnetic levitation, guidance and propulsion (Maglev). In many of these uses, the PM provides a more cost-effective alternative to other types of magnets.