Discovery of ‘magnetricity’ marks important advance in physics
Friday, 23. October 2009, 07:01:59
Scientists have generated a magnetic version of electricity, which they have called magnetricity.
The discovery marks an important advance in theoretical physics. The existence of magnetic “charges” has been predicted for nearly 70 years but has never been observed in practice.
The study was led by Professor Steve Bramwell, of the London Centre for Nanotechnology. He said: “It is not often in the field of physics you get the chance to ask, ‘How do you measure something?’, and then go on to prove a theory unequivocally. This is a very important step to establish that magnetic charge can flow like electric charge.”
While electrical current is carried by electrons, magnetricity is based on atomic-sized “north” and “south” charges that flow through materials when placed in a magnetic field.
It is unlikely to become an immediate replacement for electricity because the crystals have to be cooled to below minus 272.15C — just above absolute zero — to be conducting. However, Professor Bramwell said that the discovery could have important applications in the emerging field of nanocomputing.
Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/physics/article6875326.ece
The discovery marks an important advance in theoretical physics. The existence of magnetic “charges” has been predicted for nearly 70 years but has never been observed in practice.
The study was led by Professor Steve Bramwell, of the London Centre for Nanotechnology. He said: “It is not often in the field of physics you get the chance to ask, ‘How do you measure something?’, and then go on to prove a theory unequivocally. This is a very important step to establish that magnetic charge can flow like electric charge.”
While electrical current is carried by electrons, magnetricity is based on atomic-sized “north” and “south” charges that flow through materials when placed in a magnetic field.
It is unlikely to become an immediate replacement for electricity because the crystals have to be cooled to below minus 272.15C — just above absolute zero — to be conducting. However, Professor Bramwell said that the discovery could have important applications in the emerging field of nanocomputing.
Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/physics/article6875326.ece
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