When researchers press tiny crystals between titanium plates, di magnetic behaviour change for experiments wey Oak Ridge National Laboratory describe on October 27. Di work examine whether mechanical strain fit control materials wey people may later use for another kind of electronics.
Di team study manganese telluride and iron sulfide. Neutron measurements for di laboratory Spallation Neutron Source show changes in di different magnetic domains inside di materials. Dem still observe change for one electrical response wey scientists call anomalous Hall effect.
Dem dey examine di materials in connection with altermagnetism. One possible use na spintronics, wey use electron spin together with electric charge. Na di reason why researchers interested in di work; e no mean say dis experiment don already produce new computer or communication device.
Di experiment connect wetin person do outside with wetin happen inside: apply controlled squeeze, then check di crystal. Neutron diffraction help researchers study arrangement wey eye no fit see. E give di electrical change structural explanation instead of leaving am as number wey nobody understand.
Di laboratory point to research papers for Physical Review X and Advanced Materials. Di report no announce date when consumer product go launch. Person no suppose read am as instruction to squeeze normal magnets or electronic parts so dem go work better.
Di discovery get value for di stage where scientists dey understand materials. Learning how to affect magnetic domains fit help dem plan further tests and devices. Questions about useful operating conditions, whether result repeat and how to combine materials with other parts belong to di next stage, beyond dis first demonstration.