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University of Toronto physicists identify ‘octupolar’ magnetism, with implications for quantum technologies

Physicists at University of Toronto have identified 'octupolar' magnetism, a complex form of magnetism with eight poles, using light to probe atomic vibrations. This discovery opens up new avenues for quantum technology development, including controllable memory elements and computing devices.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 29, 2026

By shaping and shrinking light, engineers alter a material's magnetic properties

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new approach to switch magnetic states using light, which could lead to faster and more efficient data storage. By shaping and shrinking light, they were able to overcome limitations of previous methods and achieve optical switching in thicker magnetic materials.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 25, 2026

New-type NdFeB composite SERS substrate: Gradient magnetic field regulates hot spot enhancement of raman signal

Scientists create gradient magnetic field-controllable SERS substrate, enabling zone-specific Raman signal enhancement and improved detection performance. The NdFeB substrate regulates particle distribution, forming effective nanogaps and maximizing SERS enhancement efficiency.

SourceEditorial Office of Opto-Electronic Journals Group·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2026

Magnetic material with macroscale, three-dimensional formation of nano-interfaces that turn heat into electricity

Researchers developed a composite material with three-dimensional nano-interfaces, enabling thermoelectric conversion in a macroscale material. The spin Seebeck effect was successfully observed in an insulator, providing a new material design paradigm for thermal energy utilization.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2026

AI-designed metamaterials pave the way for high-speed spin-wave computing

Researchers developed an inverse-design framework to optimize magnonic crystal design, identifying unconventional lattice structures with large band gaps. The approach enables the exploration of previously unexplored material systems and device dimensions, paving the way for high-speed spin-wave computing and energy-efficient devices

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalSmall Structures·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 28, 2026

Striped or checkered? Magnetic field influences competing electronic patterns in a graphene-like quantum material

Researchers discovered that a small magnetic field switches CeTe₃ between striped and checkerboard electronic patterns. The material's unique properties allow it to adopt multiple competing patterns, which can be manipulated with magnetism.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 23, 2026

Riding a miniature magic carpet

Researchers at Kyoto University developed a hybrid graphite-based substance with aligned particles that demonstrates stable diamagnetic levitation. The team successfully created the substance by aligning micro-crystals in a uniform direction and applying a magnetic field, resulting in a miniature flying carpet-like effect.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAnalysis & Sensing·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2026

Capturing the cosmic ‘drift’ before a star is born

A team of researchers from Kyushu University and Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics have detected ambipolar diffusion in a prestellar core, weakening magnetic support and leading to gravitational collapse. This finding provides insight into early star formation and the creation of stellar systems like our own.

SourceKyushu University·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeObservational study·DateJul 10, 2026

First bulk ferromagnetic icosahedral quasicrystals synthesized without rapid quenching

Researchers develop annealable ferromagnetic icosahedral quasicrystals with unprecedented structural quality, revealing intrinsic magnetic properties and magnetic criticality. The discovery enables the first systematic investigations of quasiperiodic magnetism and magnetic criticality in QCs.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 7, 2026

Reversible switching of chirality in semiconductor material using electrochemistry

A team of researchers from Science Tokyo has developed a new method to reversibly switch the chirality of semiconductor materials using electrochemistry. This innovation enables the creation of spin-polarized currents in layered non-chiral semiconductors, opening up new directions for developing ultrafast and energy-efficient devices.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 25, 2026

New review maps out the altermagnetism debate and charts a path forward

A comprehensive review synthesized decade-long efforts on ruthenium dioxide's altermagnetism, highlighting ongoing debates and proposed future research directions. The study suggests that epitaxial strain, defects, or interface effects may contribute to the observed magnetic properties of RuO2 thin films.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Physics Mechanics and Astronomy·TypeSystematic review·DateJun 16, 2026

Room-temperature multiferroic could pave way to low-energy computing

Researchers at Rice University have engineered a new multiferroic material that exhibits orders of magnitude higher performance at room temperature than its parent material. The new material shows a 10-fold increase in magnetization and a 100-fold increase in magnetoelectric coupling, making it promising for low-energy computing.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2026

Non-destructive battery testing — New method developed with GSI participation

A new method has been developed to enable nondestructive diagnosis of the electrolyte in rechargeable batteries through the battery casing using special nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The technique, known as ZULF NMR, allows for the direct detection and quantification of electrolyte components without damaging the battery.

SourceGSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2026

New solution to an old magnetism puzzle

Researchers from TU Wien have provided a surprising explanation for the long-standing relation between magnetism and superconductivity in quantum materials. Altermagnetism, an unusual form of magnetism, is found to be experimentally observable in certain materials when superconductivity sets in.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 3, 2026

Metal–metal bonded molecule opens new path toward quantum computing materials

Researchers have discovered a unique cobalt-based molecule that can function as a spin quantum bit, providing a new design strategy for molecular materials used in quantum information technologies. The molecule exhibits slow magnetic relaxation and delocalized electron spins, allowing it to stabilize the quantum state.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalChemical Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2026

Detecting the hidden magnetism of altermagnets

Altermagnets exhibit unique magnetic structure due to unconventional symmetries, enabling spin-polarized electron currents. A new method reveals this hidden structure using circularly polarized light and resonant photoelectron diffraction.

SourceChiba University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeObservational study·DateDec 18, 2025

Demonstration of altermagnetism in RuO₂ thin films -- A new magnetic material for the AI era

Researchers have demonstrated altermagnetism in RuO₂ thin films, a promising new magnetic material for high-speed, high-density memory devices. The discovery overcomes limitations of conventional ferromagnets and has the potential to enable more energy-efficient information processing.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2025

Engineering magnetism and thermal expansion in BiFeO3 for next-generation memory devices

Scientists successfully introduce ferromagnetism into bismuth ferrite at room temperature through dual-cation substitution, enabling potential use in low-power memory devices. Negative thermal expansion is also observed, which could help solve problems caused by thermal expansion in electronic components.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 11, 2025

New study suggests chiral skyrmion flows can be used for logic devices

Researchers at Waseda University have demonstrated a transformative approach for realizing skyrmion logic based on fluidic principles, utilizing the flow behavior of many skyrmions to simplify device operations. This breakthrough enables the development of nanofluidic logic gates with reduced complexity and improved stability.

SourceWaseda University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 18, 2025

Freely levitating rotor spins out ultraprecise sensors for classical and quantum physics

A macroscopic device has been designed to reduce eddy-current damping, allowing for precise measurements of physical phenomena like gravity. The system uses a graphite disk and rare earth magnets, enabling ultra-precise sensors that can be used in classical and quantum physics research.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2025

New material design strategy unlocks magnetic tunability in quasicrystal approximants

Researchers develop a method to transform spin-glass-like quasicrystals into ferromagnetic materials with tunable magnetic properties and strong magnetocaloric response. The technique enables expanded electron-to-atom ratios, unlocking new possibilities for designing high-performance magnetic refrigeration materials.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 27, 2025

Shedding light on a new type of magnet

Researchers discovered a novel magnet with altermagnetic properties, which exhibit distinct magnetic behavior and influence reflected light polarization. The team applied a new theoretical framework to clarify the material's magnetic properties using optical techniques.

SourceTohoku University·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateAug 6, 2025

A fully liquid Earth’s core also generates a magnetic field

A team of geophysicists from ETH Zurich and SUSTech, China, used computer models to simulate whether a completely liquid core could generate a stable magnetic field. Their simulations showed that the Earth's magnetic field was generated in the early history of the Earth in a similar way to today.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 30, 2025

Magnetizing quantum communication

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new method to strengthen the brightness of single-photon light sources using magnetism. By introducing defects into a two-dimensional semiconductor, they were able to enhance the emission intensity even under weak magnetic fields.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2025