Scientists have discovered a pioneering new technique to transform ambient heat into motion in nanoscale devices – which could revolutionise future generations of data storage and sensors.
The innovative new study by a team of international researchers including Professor Gino Hrkac from the University of Exeter, created a magnetic system capable of extracting thermal energy using a specific type of gear, known as a ratchet.
This thermal ratchet is made from a material known as “artificial spin ice” which comprises of a number of tiny nanomagnets – made of the nickel-iron alloy Permalloy and which are 200 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.
The technique is also able to turning magnetic energy into the directed rotation of the magnetization. After magnetising their sample, the researchers observed that the magnetisation rotated in only one of two possible directions, without an obvious reason why one way should be preferred over the other.
The study is published in the leading scientific journal, Nature Materials.
Sebastian Gliga, the lead author of the study and Marie Curie Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow, recalls: “The system we have studied is an artificial spin ice, a class of geometrically frustrated magnetic materials. We were surprised to see that the geometry of the interactions can be tailored to achieve an active material that acts as a ratchet.”
Professor Gino Hrkac, second author on the report, from University of Exeter and Royal Society Research Fellow, “We tried to understand for quite some time how the system worked before we realized that the edges created an asymmetric energy potential.” This asymmetry is reflected in the distribution of the magnetic field at the boundaries of the nanomagnet array and causes the magnetization to rotate in a preferred direction.
To image the evolution of the magnetic state of the system, the scientists used x-rays and the so-called magnetic dichroic effect. The measurements were carried out at the synchrotron light source SLS at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland and at the Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the United States.
According to Professor Laura Heyderman of the ETH Zurich and Paul Scherrer Institute: “Artificial spin ice has mainly been used to answer scientific questions, for example concerning the physics of frustration. This is a nice demonstration of how artificial spin ice can be a functional material and provides a step towards applications.”
These findings establish an unexpected route to transforming magnetic energy into the directed motion of magnetization.
The effect now found in the two-dimensional magnetic structures comes with the promise that it will be of practical use in nanoscale devices, such as magnetic nanomotors, actuators, or sensors.
Indeed, because angular momentum is conserved and spin is a type of angular momentum, the change in the magnetic moment of the system can in principle induce a physical rotation of the system (through the Einstein–de Haas effect). It may also find applications in magnetic memory where bits could be stored through local heating with laser pulses.
Learn more: Scientists create magnetic system that transforms heat into motion
The Latest on: Heat into motion
[google_news title=”” keyword=”heat into motion” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]- If your stomach is upset due to heat then know the easy way to cure iton April 27, 2024 at 12:19 am
Living in a world where the sun's scorching rays can easily upset your stomach is no joke. Whether it's from indulging in spicy food..|News Track ...
- Angelina Jolie turns up heat in war with Brad Pitt over $500M winery Miraval as lawyers call his requests for NDAs 'unreasonable' and 'abusive'... after accusing him of trying ...on April 26, 2024 at 1:13 pm
Angelina Jolie has turned up the heat on Brad Pitt as their war over $500M winery Chateau ... Pitt, 60, had recently filed a motion asking to see 48-year-old Jolie's NDAs with any third parties and ...
- Court denies Baffert-trained Muth entrance into Kentucky Derbyon April 25, 2024 at 8:44 am
A Kentucky appeals court judge denies Zedan Racing Stables' request to allow Bob Baffert-trained Muth to run in the Kentucky Derby.
- Tapping into the heat beneath Nevadans’ feeton April 25, 2024 at 7:05 am
With highly fractured, permeable ground, the Great Basin’s geology makes it one of the most geothermally rich areas in the world. Hot fluid rises easily toward the surface, ideal for driving power ...
- Winderman’s view: Heat turn the longball into a lifeline against Celticson April 24, 2024 at 6:39 pm
Ira Winderman’s perspectives and other items of note from the Miami Heat’s Wednesday night NBA playoff game against the Boston Celtics.
- Adjustments to Expect from the Heat in Game 2 vs. Celticson April 24, 2024 at 1:40 am
A look at some of the adjustments the Heat might make to give themselves a better chance of keeping pace with the Celtics than in their 114-94 loss in Game 1.
- Edinburgh University data centre to power heat networkon April 24, 2024 at 12:25 am
A heating network using waste energy from a data centre may show a new future for warming and decarbonisng Scotland's buildings.
- Jayson Tatum, Celtics hold off Heat, claim comfortable Game 1 win: 10 takeawayson April 21, 2024 at 8:33 pm
The Celtics started their postseason run with a win in Game 1 against the Miami Heat, fending off a fourth-quarter charge for a 114-94 win.
- Which Size Heat Pump Is Right for Your Home?on April 21, 2024 at 11:00 am
If your heat pump is too small for your home, it likely won't work properly. You could end up paying a higher utility bill because the heat pump will struggle to heat and cool your home. Because the ...
- Rugby: Matera-inspired Heat beaten at death by Brave Lupuson April 21, 2024 at 5:31 am
Brave Lupus Tokyo scored a late try and a penalty kick to survive a huge upset at struggling Mie Heat on Sunday as the Japan Ru ...
via Google News and Bing News