New Atlas

Medical Audio available

Magnetic metamaterial amplifies MRI for clearer images in less time

Michael Irving June 5, 2019

MRI is a great tool for diagnosing disease, but it can be costly and cumbersome. Now, engineers at Boston University have developed a new device, small enough for a patient to wear inside the machine, that could boost the signal and provide higher-resolution images at lower magnetic strengths.

Researchers have created a new magnetic metamaterial that can reduce MRI times while improving the resolution ...

Materials

Stiffer shape-memory material utilizes magnetically-activated liquid

Ben Coxworth June 5, 2019

While shape-memory materials do have some interesting applications, many of them require the application of heat in order to change shape – and that could cause problems, in environments such as the human body. A new material, however, relies instead on a magnetically-responsive liquid.

A strip of the material is shaped with tweezers, after which a ring-shaped magnet will be ...

Bicycles Review

Review: Magpeds use magnets for less-threatening foot retention

Ben Coxworth May 23, 2019

While many mountain bikers don't like the idea of having their feet mechanically fastened to clipless pedals, they do see the advantages of such a setup. Austria's magped set out to reach a compromise, with its magnetic platform pedals – I recently got to try a set out.

magpeds combine attributes of platform and clipless pedals

Biology Audio available

Mental compass: New evidence suggests humans can sense Earth's magnetic field

Michael Irving March 18, 2019

Magnetoreception, or the ability to sense the Earth’s magnetic field, pops up throughout the animal kingdom, but it’s generally thought to be something humans missed out on. But new research has found changes in human brain wave activity that seems to be in response to a changing magnetic field.

A new study has found evidence that humans can detect changes in the geomagnetic field

Robotics

3D printed, magnetic mesh "robots" float, bend and grab on demand

Michael Irving January 23, 2019

When you imagine robots, you probably aren’t picturing stretchy meshes that can float on water, but that’s exactly what researchers have developed. These soft structures are 3D printed and embedded with magnetic particles that let them stretch and compress to pick up and move small objects.

This claw robot can retract when a magnetic field is switched on

Outdoors

Multi-function magnetic light does the twist

Ben Coxworth December 6, 2018

It's not unheard of for outdoorsy types to have a flashlight, headlamp and bike headlight. The HeadSpin is designed to function as all three, and more, thanks to a twisting magnetic mounting system.

Medical Audio available

Eye implant uses magnets to manage glaucoma

Ben Coxworth November 9, 2018

Glaucoma occurs when a blockage causes aqueous humor fluid to accumulate within the eye faster than it can drain out. This increases intraocular pressure, which can in turn damage the optic nerve, causing blindness. A new implant, however, may be particularly effective at reducing that pressure.

The implant is activated via externally-applied magnetic fields

Games

Magnetic blocks let users build pixelated creations

Michael Irving October 29, 2018

Antsy Labs has introduced its own spin on classic DIY building toys with Pixl, a set of blocks with tiny embedded magnets to keep them stacked in 3D models or lined up in pixelated 2D artworks.

Pixl is a set of building blocks with tiny embedded magnets

Materials

Move over, graphene: Iron ore mineral becomes newest 2D material

Michael Irving July 29, 2018

Brazilian researchers have created a new two-dimensional material called hematene, which is made up of sheets of iron ore just three atoms thick. And as is often the case with 2D materials, hematene seems to have different properties to its regular form.

Researchers have created a new two dimensional version of hematite, with unusual properties

Medical

Magnetic nanoparticles put the heat on cancer

Michael Irving June 27, 2018

Scientists are coming up with some creative ways to fight cancer. Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed new kinds of nanoparticles that can infiltrate, heat up and kill cancer cells more effectively and efficiently than similar methods.

A transmission electron microscope image of the zinc ferrite nanoparticles that can be triggered by a ...