Imagine moving a magnet… without touching it. Or even better, controlling magnetism without a magnet at all! Sounds like science fiction? Not anymore!
Scientists at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland have made an exciting discovery—they found a way to steer magnetism using only electricity. No big, heavy magnets needed. This could be a game-changer for the future of computers, sensors, and energy-saving technology.
🔍 What’s the Big Discovery?
The secret lies in a super-cool crystal called copper oxyselenide (try saying that three times fast!). At very low temperatures, this crystal starts doing something wild: its atoms create swirling patterns of magnetism that look like spirals (called helices) and cones.
Now here’s the magic part: when scientists zapped the crystal with electric fields—kind of like gentle electric nudges—they could bend, twist, and even flip these magnetic patterns. It’s the first time ever that scientists have done this without using magnetic fields.
🧠 Why Is This Important?
Most of today’s electronics—like hard drives and memory chips—use magnetic fields to store and control data. But magnetic fields need a lot of energy. This new method uses electric fields, which are way more energy-efficient.
That means future tech—like AI systems, smart gadgets, or even medical machines—could be faster and use less power. That’s a win for science and the planet!
🧪 How Did They Discover This?
To “see” these invisible magnetic spirals, the scientists used neutrons—tiny particles that can pass through materials. Using a super-advanced machine in Switzerland called the SANS-I beamline, they shot beams of neutrons at the crystal and watched how the magnetic textures moved when they applied different electric fields.
What they saw was amazing:
- Low electricity: The magnetic spirals gently shifted direction.
- Medium electricity: The spirals twisted in strange, curvy ways.
- High electricity: They flipped a full 90 degrees!
That’s like turning a spinning top in three different directions using invisible electric fingers!
🌍 What’s Next?
This discovery opens the door to futuristic electronics that:
- Save energy
- Run faster
- Store more data in smaller spaces
Even better? It could help create eco-friendly technologies that don’t overheat or gobble up power like traditional devices.
As lead scientist Dr. Sam Moody said, “This is just the beginning. One day, we could build gadgets that control magnetism with a flick of a switch—no magnets needed!”
🧠 Did You Know?
- Magnets always have two poles—a north and a south. But in materials like copper oxyselenide, the magnetism forms wild patterns, not just straight poles.
- Neutrons can pass through solid objects without damaging them, making them perfect for peeking inside crystals.
- The crystal they used is olive-green in color—and it looks like something out of a wizard’s lab!
🧪 Quiz Time!
1. What special material did the scientists study?
a) Rock candy
b) Copper oxyselenide
c) Liquid helium
d) Magnetite
2. How did the scientists control the magnetic patterns?
a) Using giant magnets
b) With water
c) By yelling really loud
d) With electric fields
3. What tool did the scientists use to observe the magnetic structures?
a) A telescope
b) The SANS-I neutron beamline
c) A microscope
d) A remote control
4. Why is this discovery important?
a) It makes magnets disappear
b) It helps save energy in electronics
c) It cures the common cold
d) It makes popcorn faster
🏁 Answers:
- b
- d
- b
- b
