Home, Shop & Industry Uses

Have you ever been in a rush to get ready in the morning and realize you can’t find anything you need? Cotton swabs, dental floss, bobby pins — they all seem to disappear when you’re crunched for time. That’s where the magnetic mason jar storage shelf comes in. This DIY is not only extremely functional and convenient but also livens up your space. Continue reading →

With Samsung, Google, and Microsoft already utilizing inductive, or wireless charging, Apple joined them in September 2017, when it added Qi wireless charging to the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X. (Originally written in June 2017, when this was still only a rumor.) Setting your phone down on a tiny dock and not worrying about having to plug it in to charge it might seem like magic to some, but it’s a very real possibility in 2017. Continue reading →

Checking out at a store is usually a stress-free process. Your items are scanned, you hear the total, you swipe your card, you grab your things, you leave. But sometimes there’s a hitch in the process. Your card won’t scan! Not to worry. It’s a pretty common issue and it can happen to anyone. It often means the strip is damaged or dirty, or the reader needs cleaning. Continue reading →

The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in April 2010¹ released approximately 134 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, according to NOAA. According to NOAA, responders recovered only about 16% of the oil during the initial response. While that seems like quite a bit of oil, in reality, it wasn’t nearly enough. The Center for Biological Diversity estimates that approximately 82,000 birds, 6,000 sea turtles, 25,900 marine mammals, and countless fish were harmed by the spill. While this spill is the largest in U.S. history, it is far from the only one to have occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. Continue reading →

In its 2017 proposal for a Miami-to-Orlando route, Hyperloop One estimated the trip could take about 26 minutes. The Hyperloop, the brain-child of Elon Musk and SpaceX, would connect cities using a series of reduced-pressure tubes that use air bearings or magnetic levitation to suspend pod-like vehicles, meaning greatly reduced resistance and minimal noise pollution. A linear electric motor gradually propels the pods forward to a cruising speed of around 700 miles per hour. These tubes would be able to travel under or above-ground, avoiding grade crossings. Musk and SpaceX’s idea has been open-sourced and others are encouraged to take the concept and expand upon it. Continue reading →

Magnets might seem like something only teachers and important scientists use, but they’re actually a very large part of our everyday lives. There are magnets EVERYWHERE. From your bathroom to your bedroom to your kitchen, many items s we use and rely on on a regular basis use magnets. Continue reading →

Recently, this Apex blogger was taking stock of his apartment—particularly all of the improvements he could make. The problem? This Apex blogger is particularly frugal and balks at making even the most practical purchases. However, as he stared at his wall (devoid of any artwork because he’s too cheap to buy frames), he realized something: he had magnets. This realization begat another: he could not only improve the functionality and aesthetic of his apartment, but also save a good bit of money doing it, all with magnets. Continue reading →

When you live in an apartment, you typically don’t have much space to work with, especially in the bathroom. You have to utilize your space efficiently when you have limited room. The best hack for that? Move to a new home! We’re kidding. It’s magnets! These easy DIY hacks require minimal effort and maximal magnets. Continue reading →

When it comes to stoves, most Americans rely on either gas or electric heat to create their culinary masterpieces. However, a third, more efficient manner of cooking is slowly working its way into more and more kitchens. While already popular in Europe and Asia, induction has been gaining ground in the States, though it is still used in a minority of kitchens. Induction cooking provides benefits gas and heat simply can’t touch, but the best part? It’s only possible through magnetism! Continue reading →

If we’ve learned anything writing this blog, it’s that magnets have almost unlimited applications. From simple DIYs and craft projects, to industrial machinery, to helping pioneer the future of space travel, magnetism is a forced to be reckoned with. Another application for magnets comes in the form of new flotation devices, aimed at helping people in the water. Continue reading →

When you’re renting a small apartment, one of the biggest challenges is organizing your kitchen. Not only are you trying to fit all of your pots and pans into a tiny space, but you also can’t leave any permanent marks or holes if you want to get your security deposit back. So instead of trying to get by with half of your kitchenware in storage, here are a few ways you can use neodymium magnets to make your apartment more livable: Continue reading →

Filing cabinets are becoming less common in many modern offices. Most people find that there’s no reason to keep the bulky, metal storage shelves around when everything can be stored online with less clutter. They don't have to go to waste though! Luckily, there are plenty of inexpensive filing cabinets in good condition that you can upcycle and put to good use. Here’s how you can use some paint and neodymium magnets to turn an old filing cabinet into a charming kitchen island: Continue reading →

Have you ever lost your car keys? We know, it’s the worst! Just as you’re about to leave the house you realize you have absolutely no idea where you put them. But what if there was a way to ensure that they’ll always be in the same place every time you go to look for them? Continue reading →

Could the key to perfect skin be magnets? I bet you never thought the two had anything in common. Most of us didn’t. (Other than Cleopatra, who slept with a magnetic amulet on her head to maintain her youthful appearance.) Continue reading →

Despite the rise of mp3s, vinyl sales have skyrocketed in the last few years. Convenience pleases the masses for sure, but having a record player for the sake of audio quality (and let’s face it -- music snobbery) seems to be the trend. Now, let’s add some modern flair to this vintage device. With magnets, of course. Continue reading →

If you’re like a lot people, you might suffer from gephyrophobia, or a fear of bridges. Whether it’s heights or a fear of collapsing, crossing one can be nerve racking. Many are simply afraid of the unknown—the possibility that something might go wrong. These fears aren’t totally unfounded either, according to a 2015 analysis, 61,000 American bridges were deemed “structurally deficient.” That count has since fallen to roughly 42,000 bridges rated in poor condition in FHWA’s 2025 National Bridge Inventory data. While this could mean a number of things, it’s much higher than we’d like to see. However, new techniques from a familiar source might help put gephyrophobes at ease and help bring this number down. Magnets may help detect warning signs of potential collapses, so engineers can act before a failure occurs. Continue reading →

There’s no way we’re the only ones who have a stash of old toys and games tucked away in the house somewhere. But why should old toys be relegated to the attic or basement? And furthermore, why can’t adults have some fun with their old toys? Today’s magnetic DIY project uses neodymium magnets to give your old stash of Matchbox cars a serious - and seriously educational - upgrade. Continue reading →

You may not realize it, but if you carry cash, you’re also carrying around a wallet full of magnets. This is also true if you have a checkbook. Magnetic ink is used in both paper money and checks to keep them secure by deterring things like forgery and counterfeiting. And while magnets are constantly used in the world of innovation and new ideas, magnetized money has remained virtually unchanged since it was first introduced. Continue reading →

Magnetic hard drives store so much personal information in this day and age. So how do you get rid of them securely when your computer’s time is up? According to Tim McIntyre, program manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Electrical and Electronics Systems Research Division, 115 million hard drives will reach the end of their use in 2016 alone. Why not put them to good use? Especially when that use does wonders for the world of magnets. Continue reading →

We don’t usually think of data taking up too much space in the grand scheme of things. You might get a message from Google or Apple telling you your storage is almost full, then you are forced to delete all those photos you’ve accumulated over the past few months and your problem is solved (until next time, at least). But what happens when the entire planet receives this notification? Between external hard drives and online storage services like the Cloud, it seems like there is infinite space for all of our photos and documents and music files and the countless other things to which we need access at a moment’s notice. But this is not the case. Continue reading →

When you visit the Grindhouse Wetware website the question, “What would you like to be today?” appears in front of a background of what appears to be an electrical grid or circuit board. The biotechnology company located in Pittsburgh, PA turns its customers into cyborgs, using magnets and other electronic devices. Continue reading →

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is no stranger to innovation and technology. The city boasts a prosperous economy and numerous modern amenities including numerous man-made islands. One of these is Yas Island, a 25km2 tract of land in the Persian Gulf. Yas Island was constructed to serve as a tourist destination. Construction of the island began in 2006 and was originally scheduled to conclude in 2018. However, the island already boasts numerous attractions such as the Yas Island Marina, a Grand Prix racetrack, and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi—a theme park devoted to the Italian luxury car. One of the newest innovations on Yas Island and Abu Dhabi addresses transportation. For a city constantly on the cutting edge of technology, it makes perfect sense that it completely revolutionizes the way people get around. Continue reading →

If you’ve followed the NFL in recent years, you’ve heard about the troubling issue of concussions affecting not only those currently playing, but players retired from the field. Repeat concussions and helmet-to-helmet hits cause significant brain damage later in life. How could magnets be used to improve the effectiveness of helmets in football? Continue reading →

Now that the summer Sun is peeking out of the clouds and bringing some warm weather, you’re probably eager to get outside. After spending all winter cooped up making grand plans for summer, it’s finally time to get started! Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, a picnic, or even planting your annual garden, here are a few ways really strong magnets can make your life easier: Continue reading →