Discovery of magneto-crystalline anisotropy in rare-earth cobalt intermetallic compounds

In 1966, Karl J. Strnat and coworkers discovered magneto-crystalline anisotropy in rare-earth cobalt intermetallic compounds. This led to the fabrication of high-performance permanent magnets of samarium-cobalt and, later, neodymium-iron-boron for use in electronic devices and other areas.