While graphene has mechanical, electronic, and optical properties it hasn’t been good for magnetic purposes. Empa researchers and international partners have succeeded in synthesizing nanographene which conclusively demonstrates that carbon in very specific forms has magnetic properties.  What We’ve Known Graphene is non-metallic thanks to its 2-D structure made of carbon. In 2017, we wrote about a study where researchers were able to find a way to create the very first non-metallic magnet by treating the carbon structures with other non-metallic elements such as fluorine, hydrogen, and oxygen. In 2019, a group of researchers led by MIT Department of Physics Professor Pablo Jarillo-Herrero to find how atomically thin layers and bulk forms of certain materials can affect magnetic properties. The Latest News So, how do Empa’s findings differ from previous breakthroughs? While graphene was made magnetic in the past, it’s only been possible by treating the carbon. Empa researchers along with colleagues from the Technical University in Dresden, Aalto University in Finland, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, and University of Bern have successfully constructed nanographene with magnetic properties.  So, how do Empa’s findings differ from previous breakthroughs? While graphene was made magnetic in the past, it’s only been possible by treating the carbon, not by creating a new nanographene. Their study has since been published in Nature Nanotechnology. So far, these room-temperature stable magnetic carbon nanostructures have only been theoretically possible, dating back to the 1970s.  Stay Up to Date on Magnetic Discoveries with Apex Magnets These findings could be used as an important component for spin-based electronics functioning at room temperature. For the latest magnetic news, check out our magnets in the news section of our blog.