Magnet Facts

One of the biggest supervillains in comic history is Magneto, a powerful mutant who clashes with the X-Men and has the ability to generate and control magnetic fields. It’s an incredible superpower. And while it seems like the sort of science fiction that could only exist on the pages of a Stan Lee graphic novel, it’s not that far from...

Magnets are amazing. Among their many amazing properties, they even seem to break the laws of physics—until you understand the science behind them. At Apex Magnets, we embrace the incredible properties of magnetism and how they impact industries, innovation, and everyday life. Today, to illustrate just that, we’re diving into an experiment that has real-world implications  The Experiment: A Magnet’s...

At first glance, pyrolytic graphite seems magical. The perfect addition to a science-friendly home office or to a children’s physics experiment, pyrolytic graphite is known for its ability to “hover” over neodymium magnet blocks and similar magnetic material.  Of course, pyrolytic graphite isn’t magic. As we’ll see in a moment, its levitating capabilities stem from its physical makeup.  Table of...

Magnets are everywhere. In fact, if you’re reading this on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, there’s a good chance you’re using a magnet right now.  Our reliance on magnets as a society is far-reaching. From the clasp of a handbag to the latest electronic vehicle, magnets power fashion, technology, office supplies, transportation, and much, much more.  What Has Magnets In...

Hematite magnets are some of the most interesting magnets around. And that means something coming from us, as we’re true magnet nerds and have a wide, wide selection of magnets. Hematite magnets are often shaped into “rattlesnake eggs”—magnets that are designed to rapidly chatter against each other, resulting in a unique buzzing or clicking that sounds like a warning from...

Although magnet therapy for pain and inflammation sounds like science fiction, research shows magnets can actually stimulate healing within the human body. In fact, the U.S. Food And Drug Administration (FDA) has actually approved certain medical magnetic therapies that have proven useful in certain situations.  So, while you may be familiar with technologies like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can...

In many business sectors, permanent magnets offer practical solutions. As these industries maintain and evolve, magnets – and more specifically, differently shaped magnets – are being used to enhance efficiency, safety, and convenience.  Here are some of the top trending magnetic shapes and how different industries use them: 1. Disc Magnets Disc magnets are used across multiple industries due to...

Magnetic cilia, tiny artificial hairs powered by embedded magnetic particles, have long been used in applications like soft robotics, object transport, and liquid mixing. Now, researchers at North Carolina State University have developed reprogrammable magnetic cilia that can change their behavior at room temperature, opening new possibilities for adaptable, multi-purpose designs. What Makes These Cilia Unique? Traditional magnetic cilia use...

Interestingly, rare earth elements (REEs) are being found in unexpected places, like coal-adjacent formations in Utah and Colorado. A recent study by the University of Utah reveals elevated REE concentrations in fine-grain shale and siltstone layers near coal seams in active mines along the Uinta coal belt. These findings open the door for existing coal mines to become dual-resource operations...

Magnet molecules—magnets made up of single molecules—offer incredible potential for nanometric-scale information storage and quantum technologies. These molecules retain a "memory" of the magnetic field they experience, making them prime candidates for applications like quantum computing and high-density data storage. However, reading this magnetic information has historically required complex techniques involving polarized light, limiting its practical use. A breakthrough has...