Even small magnets can sometimes be exceptionally powerful
ResonX /Jasmin Schoenzart
A breakthrough in magnet technology has led to the creation of a small magnet that rivals the strength of some of the world’s largest and most powerful magnets. This innovation opens up new possibilities in various scientific and technological fields.
Magnets are integral to numerous applications, from MRI imaging to nuclear fusion. The strongest magnets are typically made from superconductors, materials that exhibit zero electrical resistance at low temperatures.
Traditionally, superconducting magnets capable of generating intense magnetic fields have been large and cumbersome. However, researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a superconducting magnet only 3.1 millimetres in diameter that can produce magnetic fields comparable to much larger magnets.
The magnet is constructed using a thin tape of a ceramic material known as REBCO, which becomes superconducting at extremely low temperatures. Through a meticulous process of experimentation and testing, the researchers optimized the design of the magnet to achieve remarkable strength in a compact size.
With magnetic field strengths of 38 Tesla and 42 Tesla, the small magnet outperforms conventional fridge magnets by a significant margin. This advancement has the potential to revolutionize applications such as nuclear magnetic resonance, offering a more accessible and cost-effective solution for researchers.
Mark Ainslie from King’s College London commends the development, noting that high-field magnets could become more widely available in research laboratories thanks to innovations like this. However, challenges such as ensuring uniform magnetic fields and managing electromagnetic properties still need to be addressed.
The compact yet powerful magnet created by the ETH Zurich team represents a significant leap forward in magnet technology, with far-reaching implications for various scientific disciplines.
