Magnetic Concrete for Road-Embedded Wireless Power Transfer: A Review

Magnetic concrete (MC) is a composite material that integrates high-permeability magnetic particles with binders, offering a promising alternative to conventional ferrite components in wireless power transfer (WPT) systems for electric vehicles (EVs) and battery-electric locomotives (BELs). Compared to ferrite cores, MC provides enhanced mechanical durability and flexibility, making it suitable for embedding in roadways and other structural applications. This review synthesizes recent advancements in MC, focusing on its composition, magnetic properties, and potential for large-scale applications. The main research findings indicate that commonly used binders for MC include cement, resin, and polyurethane, while the primary magnetic fillers are ferrite particles, iron powder, and nanocrystalline materials. Additionally, the effective magnetic permeability of MC is influenced by the intrinsic properties, volume fraction, and particle size of the magnetic materials, as well as the processing methods used. However, MC's permeability remains significantly lower than that of the base magnetic materials, typically ranging from 2.5 to 222. Finally, MC is still largely in the research stage, with limited commercial deployment, and its economic viability has yet to be fully established.