February 2019

According to Nature, Earth’s north magnetic pole is moving so quickly that the World Magnetic Model (WMM) needed to be updated only four years after its latest update.  Even though the 2015 update to the model was expected to remain valid until 2020, it’s close to exceeding the acceptable limit for navigational errors. so, updates were made and released in February 2019. Periodically, the north and south poles move so much that they trade locations, which is known as a magnetic field flip.This phenomenon most likely should not occur for thousands of years, however. But, the fact that WMM needed to be updated so quickly has us questioning what is it that causes the poles to shift, and what this means for Earth’s magnetic field. Below, we outline what all plays into the changes. Continue reading →

The Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis, better known as the Northern and Southern Lights have always been a topic of discussion. After all, how does this magical explosion of colors light up the sky? We’ve looked into the answer before and found magnetic reconnection was a possible explanation. Continue reading →

Create your own reminder of places traveled (or places you wish to travel to) with these DIY map magnets. If you don’t have any maps laying around, simply print out sections of maps from Google! Stick them on your fridge, in your office, or anywhere else you’d like to forever remember your trips. Continue reading →

Warehouses and distribution centers operate in a state of flux – a recurring expansion and consolidation of products and raw material. In many ways, warehouses behave as the lungs of the sales and manufacturing business. But even in the midst of constant change, one goal remains the same – to stabilize. You want to increase productivity and predictability. Our magnets can play a prominent role in the effort to improve and standardize day-to-day life for your business. Continue reading →

At some point during your childhood, you probably played with a popular sliding puzzle game that originated in the 1880s consisting of tiles in a grid—most likely a 3x3 grid (an 8-puzzle) or 4x4 grid (a 15-puzzle). The concept was simple: get the tiles in numerical order by sliding the tiles, utilizing the empty space. It was frustrating. It was addicting.  It was challenging. Now, physicists are using it as a way to try and understand how magnets work, which is one of the most complex puzzles. Continue reading →

Are you responsible for placing a large-scale order for magnets, but can’t find exactly what you need? Purchasing custom magnets is an effective way to find the right product for your unique situation. At Apex, we’re able to modify an order to meet special expectations and fit your company’s needs, and we can do so with a production lead time of approximately 6-8 weeks (up to 12 weeks for larger magnets). Successful customization is all in the details. The more descriptive you can be upfront, the better. Before reaching out to our team about customization, review the requirements of your desired magnetic application. If you’re unsure of what you need for the specific application, we suggest walking through the following steps. Continue reading →

  Did you know that supermassive black holes are the largest type of black hole known to mankind? In fact, they contain a mass that is more than a billion times larger than typical black holes. It has been discovered that the supermassive black holes that lurk at the center of most galaxies are surrounded by coronas, but not much is known about why this occurs or even what coronas look like. Continue reading →

A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of California made a discovery that disputes the previous use of zircon crystals as evidence of Earth’s magnetic field’s early development. Their paper, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, describes the testing they conducted and the new discoveries they made about the magnetism of zircon crystal. Continue reading →

Magnets differ in size, strength, and purpose, but those aren’t the only variables to consider. They also have different sensitivities and shelf-lives, some requiring more careful, deliberate storage than others. It’s not entirely clear whether the length of time a magnet goes unused – like when it's sitting in a warehouse – will affect its strength or durability. However, when it comes to packing and storing, you should take a few things into consideration. Following the basic rules outlined in this guide will help you make sure your magnets retain their original power. Continue reading →

A new synthetic material has been shown to have interchangeable stiffness when it comes in contact with magnets. This metamaterial—an artificial structure comprised of a grid-like network of plastic tubes filled with fluid that becomes more viscous in a magnetic field—causes the tubes to firm up in a magnetic field, allowing the tube to turn from soft to rigid in a split second. Continue reading →