Magnetism

Popular inventor Colin Furze recently tried recreating the hoverboard from Back to the Future II. He failed, but what he found along the way floats, steers, and might have more to say about urban transport than any hoverboard ever could.

Inventor extraordinaire Colin Furze created a suspension system for a bicycle that, instead of springs or forks, uses opposing magnets fitted to a custom frame that keep him from feeling any bumps on the road. Surprisingly, it worked.

Scientists have created what they say is the world's smallest untethered flying robot, by taking a unique approach to its design. To minimize size and weight, they've moved the bot's power and control systems out of its sub-centimeter-wide body.

Two great minds in permanent-magnet-free motor design are fusing their know-how to create an even more capable inductive electric motor. Mahle and Valeo have teamed up on what they call the Inner Brushless Electrical Excitation (iBEE) motor system.

As some entities identify new sources to meet the demand for rare earth materials, others are looking to new tools. Materials Nexus has designed a new rare-earth-free permanent magnet help from its AI platform – at record pace.

Magnetic levitation is used to float things like lamps and trains, but usually it requires a power source. Now, scientists in Japan have developed a way to make a floating platform that requires no external power, out of regular old graphite.

GM is looking to Niron Magnetics to help it eliminate problematic rare earth materials from its permanent magnet EV motors. Niron's "Clean Earth" magnets are claimed to be the only rare-earth-free permanent magnets capable of automotive-grade power.

Everybody’s favorite wonder material, graphene, continues to surprise. MIT physicists have discovered yet another brand new electronic state hiding in this overachieving little material – something they give the bizarre name of “ferro-valleytricity.”

A brand new form of silicon might help extend its use into the future. Engineers at North Carolina State University have discovered a material called Q-silicon, with new properties that could have important uses in quantum computers and spintronics.

Many people are already creeped out by quadruped robots, which walk on four legs instead of rolling on wheels or tracks. Well, the MARVEL robot likely won't do much to change such feelings, as it can walk straight up ferromagnetic metal walls.

Rare earth elements are vital for electronics, but they’re in short supply. Now scientists have recreated a promising alternative – a “cosmic magnet” that normally takes millions of years to form in meteorites is cooked up in the lab in seconds.

Five years ago we heard about the compact millo blender, which was reportedly only 25% as loud as a regular blender. Well, the new millo air is claimed to be even slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, and to produce no motor noise at all.