Magnetism's subatomic roots: Rice study of high-tech materials helps explain everyday phenomenon

Rice University ^ | Friday, September 3, 2010 | Jade Boyd

[SunkenCiv]

The modern world -- with its ubiquitous electronic devices and electrical power -- can trace its lineage directly to the discovery, less than two centuries ago, of the link between electricity and magnetism. But while engineers have harnessed electromagnetic forces on a global scale, physicists still struggle to describe the dance between electrons that creates magnetic fields.

Two theoretical physicists from Rice University are reporting initial success in that area in a new paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. Their new conceptual model, which was created to learn more about the quantum quirks of high-temperature superconductors and other high-tech materials, has also proven useful in describing the origins of ferromagnetism -- the everyday "magnetism" of compass needles and refrigerator magnets...

Ferromagnets are what most people think of as magnets. They're the permanently magnetic materials that keep notes stuck to refrigerators the world over. Scientists have long understood the large-scale workings of ferromagnets, which can be described theoretically from a coarse-grained perspective. But at a deeper, fine-grained level -- down at the scale of atoms and electrons -- the origins of ferromagnetism remain fuzzy.

[SunkenCiv]

Qimiao Si

[SunkenCiv]

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[Paladin2]

LOL, I hadn’t realized that Civilization had sunken that low.

[VaRepublican]

ping for later.

[Paladin2]

Maybe this helps to explain the problems in many real estate markets?

[allmost]

Time for some outside the box thinking.

[thulldud]

The research was funded by the National Science Foundation and the Welch Foundation.

Hadn't heard of the Welch Foundation. Is that "Neutron Jack"?

[JoeProBono]

[SunkenCiv]

:’)

[SunkenCiv]

The Welch Foundation promises grant money, but never actually gives it.

[SunkenCiv]

This is bound to be a polarizing topic.

/rimshot

[VaRepublican]

you had that in yer bag when you posted this huh?

[EternalVigilance]

I couldn’t help being drawn to this thread.

[Nateman]

Frog floating in extreme magnetic field.

[SunkenCiv]

Nope, someone gave me some pointers.

[SunkenCiv]

I’m glad, we needed a positive influence.

[VaRepublican]

ok I give. no more negative comments....

[ForGod'sSake]

I'm not real clear on this "explaining everyday phenomenon" thing.

[VaRepublican]

I love college football in the background while I ponder the direction of my thoughts.