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UK scientists produce world's first magnetic soap

Researchers at the University of Bristol developed a magnetic soap composed of iron-rich salts, which levitates through an organic solvent when exposed to a magnetic field. The soap's properties were confirmed using neutron scattering, and its potential applications include environmental clean-ups and industrial cleaning products.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateJan 23, 2012

Scientists looking to burst the superconductivity bubble

New research reveals that bubbles in the fabrication process of high-temperature superconductor Bi2212 limit its critical current density, blocking connectivity and reducing electrical resistance. Densification of filaments before melting could help eliminate bubble formation and improve material performance.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalSuperconductor Science and Technology·DateMay 15, 2011

Mini disks for data storage

Researchers created mini magnetic disks with slanted edges, which favor the formation of tiny magnetic vortices. This allows for efficient data processing and reduced power consumption compared to traditional memory storage systems.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMar 14, 2011

Magnetism's subatomic roots

Rice physicists Qimiao Si and Seiji Yamamoto create a theoretical model to understand the quantum quirks of high-temperature superconductors and ferromagnetism. Their model predicts the origins of metallic ferromagnetism, providing a rigorous answer to a long-standing question in condensed matter physics.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 3, 2010

Magnets trump metallics

Researchers at Rice University discovered that strong magnetic fields can transform highly conductive carbon nanotubes into semiconductors. By applying a magnetic field, a band gap opens up and the material becomes an insulator.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 8, 2010

New magnetic tuning method enhances data storage

A new magnetic tuning method has been developed to improve the storage capacity of next-generation computer hard drives. The method, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, enables writing, storage, and readout at a fixed temperature by tuning the softness of the magnet with an external magnetic field.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2010

Harvesting energy from nature's motions

Researchers at Duke University created a non-linear device that can convert a range of vibrations into electricity, improving efficiency over traditional linear devices. This technology has the potential to power small electronic devices, such as pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators, and even sensors in ocean buoys and spacecraft.

SourceDuke University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 30, 2009

Large-scale cousin of elusive 'magnetic monopoles' found at NIST

A team at NIST has discovered a large-scale compound that behaves like magnetic monopoles, enabling the testing of theoretical predictions about these elusive particles. The researchers created this compound by cooling a specific material to nearly absolute zero, forming spin ice crystals with balanced spins.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of the Physical Society of Japan·DateOct 6, 2009

An 'attractive' man-machine interface

Scientists at Boston Children's Hospital have created a new technology that uses magnetic fields to control cellular signaling, mimicking the binding of drugs or hormones. This innovation has the potential to lead to finely-tuned but noninvasive treatments for various diseases.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 8, 2008

Do static magnets reduce pain?

A meta-analysis of 9 randomized trials found that static magnets have no effect on pain scores for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. However, the study suggests that further research is necessary to explore potential benefits for people suffering from osteoarthritis.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateSep 24, 2007

Using a magnet to tune a magnet

A team of scientists has found a way to switch a material's magnetic properties from 'hard' to 'soft' and back again. This breakthrough could lead to new ways of controlling electromagnetic devices. The research, published in Nature, used a magnet to be 'tuned' by subjecting it to a second magnetic field.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature·DateAug 1, 2007

Touch tracking bypasses mind control

Researchers found that touch tracking bypasses the brain's cognitive system, allowing participants to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. This breakthrough could help individuals with coordination problems improve their hand movements.