As more consumer-facing technologies become smaller because of advances in nanotechnologies, researchers utilizing magnetic particles are discovering new ways to manipulate magnetic fields at a subatomic level. One of the goals of this discovery is to provide new materials for engineers to utilize in the creation of electronic structures, such as microchips and data storage. Manipulating the magnetism of atoms  According to UCL, a group of international scientists working out of the the London Centre for Nanotechnology, the Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, the University of Zaragoza and the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics discovered that the orientation of magnetic poles, called anisotropy, can help determine the causal effects of various metallic structures. This force is controlled at the atomic level, wherein neighboring microscopic structures act against one another to guide the magnetic polarity. For instance, when two strong magnets repel each other, it is because of a relative orientation of their corresponding fields. The magnets themselves create the anisotropy, as it would not exist without the combination of the two sources. The discovery of this force at the micro level could help researchers apply this force to future nanotechnologies. The discovery of subatomic anisotropy The source noted that the anisotropy was first noticed with a high-powered microscope. Pressing the discovery further, the scientists watched the relationship between cobalt atoms and the introduction of a copper surface. An atomically-thin layer of copper nitride was also applied, which resulted in an additional discovery about the levels of electrical conductivity at the micro level. London Centre of Nanotechnology researcher, Dr. Cyrus Hirjibehedin said: "Electrical control of a property that formerly could only be tuned through structural changes will enable significant new possibilities when designing the smallest possible devices for information processing, data storage and sensing." According to a recent press release, University College of London officials noted that the lasting effects of these discoveries suggest that the energy required to manipulate magnetic polarity at an atomic level can be changed or altered, based on the orientation of the atom's magnetic polarity and its relation to nearby metals. This application of metals and magnetic interoperability, similar to the reaction disc magnets and sphere magnets have when they are attached to a metal pipe, at a subatomic level will make it possible for electronic developers to introduce materials at a micro level. Keep Up With The Latest Magnetic News with Apex Magnets After reading this latest discovery, you can see that there’s so much to know about magnets! If you're interested in learning more about similar news articles to manipulating the magnetism of atoms, check out our FAQ for answers to some basic magnetic questions as well. As always, we’re here to help answer any questions you may have about magnets. Just give us a call or email us!