Home, Shop & Industry Uses

Cassette tapes may have the stigma of small outdated music collections, but a magnetic innovation announced in 2014 hinted at a comeback for tape in data storage. Update: tape is still widely used for archiving, and current LTO-10 cartridges hold up to 40 TB native (100 TB compressed). The relationship between magnets and cassette tapes may not be immediately apparent, but it is actually magnetic tape that serves as the foundation for its data storage. Continue reading →

You may have heard of Japan’s Maglev Train-also known as the fastest floating train in the world, with a test-run record of 375 miles per hour (603 km/h) set in 2015 and a planned passenger speed of about 310 miles per hour. So far, maglev trains carry passengers in only a few countries, including China and Japan (where the high-speed Chuo Shinkansen line is still under construction and has not opened), but 2014 reports suggested that the impressive floating train technology could make its way to the U.S. Continue reading →

These microrobots could be mistaken for tiny insects because they are so small, but don’t let their size fool you. The research organization SRI International has been working on their magnetic mini-robot technology called Diamagnetic Micro Manipulation for DARPA’s Open Manufacturing Program. According to Wired, Darpa’s vision is to use the bots to "lower the cost and speed the delivery of high-quality manufactured goods". Continue reading →

Editor's note: this is a 2014 post kept for the archive. Google suspended Project Ara in September 2016, so the phone was never released. When we first wrote this, one of the hot topics that week was Project Ara. It was a modular smartphone project, announced by Google, that could be customized and updated using electro-permanent magnets. Google discontinued the project in 2016. If you haven’t heard about the project yet, it could entirely change the way we update our smartphones. Instead of buying a phone every few years, Project Ara phone’s modular units allow owners to replace and upgrade parts as needed. The smartphone fosters user customization and could possibly reduce the record 62 million tonnes of e-waste generated worldwide in 2022 (UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024). Continue reading →

Magnets don’t just go on your fridge. In fact, magnets are in many technical, real-world applications. For example, magnets are used in amusement parks all over the world and in roller coasters as braking mechanisms. The neat part about magnetic brakes is that magnets do not require electrical power and if the power stops, the brakes won’t be affected. Continue reading →

As it is, your computer's hard drive is dependent on strong magnets to spin up and perform a variety of functions.

One of the most common applications of rare earth magnets is in automobiles.

Technology is evolving at a rapid-fire pace, and it's crucial that companies' products offer the most advanced features if these brands want to remain competitive.

Bicycle lights are essential for a safe ride.

Did you know that without magnets, a computer's hard drive wouldn't work properly?

Magnetic levitation, or maglev technology, is reaching completion and might soon be available for mass production.

Did you know that strong magnets are useful for a variety of purposes throughout your home beyond just posting that wedding invitation or your kid's report card?

An oil spill can have a devastating impact on the environment and the creatures closest to it.

A new magnetic robot has been developed by Japanese engineers that might make it easier for communities to fix different structures, such as bridges and power lines.

As smartphones become more widely used, their enhanced functionality continues to provide individuals with unique and innovative solutions.

Although something can be said for the ability to successfully construct a living room full of Ikea furniture, Gizmodo reported that the future of interior design might be easier with magnetic solutions.

Although the magnetic strips on credit cards make transactions faster and more convenient than having to enter a personal PIN, they also make it much easier for hackers to steal information.

A long-standing tradition in bike racing is to use safety pins as the impetus for attaching numbers to jerseys in an attempt to organize the participants.

Nike, the popular shoe design company that specializes in sneakers, created a magnetic board that customers can use to build their own concept designs.

The technologies that are propelling convenience in society, such as machines that generate wind energy, are continuing to mature, enabling a wide range of industries to produce more for less.

The use of high-powered magnetic fields in the production of innovative vehicle maintenance has propelled manufacturers into vesting more interest in this industry.

Advances in mobile device technologies have provided industries across the public sector with innovative tools to integrate consumer-driven conveniences.

The versatility from a magnetic solution can help individuals perform various industrial tasks without requiring complex planning.

Modern techniques in medicine are transforming as science blends with health care to produce new, innovative treatment methods.