Magnet Facts

Magnets are generally well-known for their industrial applications, but did you know they might be the next showstopper on red carpets too? That’s right, the fashion industry is finally starting to capitalize on magnets as reliable replacements for traditional buttons and clasps in clothing and jewelry, as you may have seen in some of our tutorials.  So, how do magnets make the lives of fashion designers and distributors easier? Continue reading →

Back in the 90s, the U.S. was a major manufacturer of rare earth magnets, thanks in part to the now-closed Mountain Pass rare earth mine in Southern California. But ever since China found major rare earth mineral deposits under its soil, the industry has largely shifted overseas, with about 90% of all rare earth magnets coming out of China. With that, the magnet industry has also seen major consolidations in magnet-related magazines, trade associations, and conferences.  Despite the decrease in manufacturing numbers, there are still several notable magnet resources in the United States and Europe — periodicals, associations, conferences, and major research labs — all ripe for researchers, engineers, and magnet enthusiasts to subscribe to or enjoy. Continue reading →

When you’re on the road, the objective is to get from Point A to Point B as quickly and safely as possible. Magnets are constantly working to ensure that happens. In fact, three of the most important safety features on a car — seatbelts, the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), and your brake lights — rely on magnets to keep you...

Dynamos are brilliantly simple direct-current generators that are used all over the world. While popular today, the basic design was established nearly 200 years ago, placing them among the most important inventions of the 19th century.  The first true dynamo was built in 1832 by a French instrument maker, Hippolyte Pixii, who based his design on the principles of Michael Faraday (one of our favorite magnetic personalities!).  Continue reading →

You’ve heard the warnings: Keep magnets away from your computer! Keep magnets away from your credit cards! Keep magnets away from that old floppy disk (if you still have one around.) Continue reading →

The mining industry requires some powerful machinery – draglines, excavators, and massive drill rigs. You’ve likely seen one or more these machines while driving down the highway. It is a tough line of work that employs equally tough people, but as demanding as the industry is, and as imposing as most of the machinery tends to be, it requires other, more delicate equipment as well.  Continue reading →

An astrophysicist by trade, Neil deGrasse Tyson has become something of a pop culture icon over the past few years. He is perhaps best known for acclaimed miniseries Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, which was a revisioning of his mentor Carl Sagan’s program of the same name. Tyson’s long and accomplished career, coupled with his celebrity have made him and ambassador for science to curious people of all ages. Continue reading →

Researchers have long wondered about the existence of magnetic monopoles, but have never been able to find it. However, help has come from an unexpected, yet very familiar source: water. Continue reading →

We tend to think of magnetism in relation to solid matter. From the neodymium varieties we deal with, to the largest galaxies, magnetic fields are usually tethered to the tangible realm. However, as our following examples demonstrate, there is plenty to discover in liquids and gases. Furthermore, it is not only the scientific community that benefits from magnetism's relationship with various matter. There are plenty of magnetic forays in the art world as well! Continue reading →

We’re talking about one really magnetic personality today, who has had a significant impact on the scientific community. Magneto of the X-Men! Not what you were expecting? This mutant has a superpower that we at Apex Magnets find very…attractive. The magnetic mutant has appeared in over 4,500 comic issues as well as TV shows, and movies. He’s certainly an old hat in the Marvel universe. Continue reading →