Magnetic shell provides unprecedented control of magnetic fields. - Polidicks

[quote] [h2]Magnetic shell provides unprecedented control of magnetic fields.[/h2] [quote] [IMG]http://cdn.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/2013/magneticenergyharvesting1.jpg[/IMG] ============================================================ The newly designed magnetic shell can either expel or concentrate magnetic energy. In the left panels, a small dipole magnet in (a) is surrounded by a magnetic shell in (b), which expels its magnetic energy further outward. In (c), a second shell harvests the energy and concentrates it into its center hole; in this way, magnetic energy is transferred through empty space. In the right panels, two dipole magnets in (d) are surrounded by shells in (e) that expel their magnetic energy. As shown in (f), the result is magnetic coupling between the two dipoles. Credit: Carles Navau, et al. ©2012 American Physical Society [/quote] [B]A general property of magnetic fields is that they decay with the distance from their magnetic source. But in a new study, physicists have shown that surrounding a magnetic source with a magnetic shell can enhance the magnetic field as it moves away from the source, allowing magnetic energy to be transferred to a distant location through empty space. By reversing this technique, the scientists showed that the transferred magnetic energy can be captured by a second magnetic shell located some distance away from the first shell. The second shell can then concentrate the captured magnetic energy into a small interior region. The achievement represents an unprecedented ability to transport and concentrate magnetic energy, and could have applications in the wireless transmission of energy, medical techniques, and other areas.[/B] The physicists, Carles Navau, Jordi Prat-Camps, and Alvaro Sanchez at the Autonomous University of Barcelona in Spain, have published their results on their new method of magnetic energy distribution and concentration in a recent issue of Physical Review Letters. "We have tried with this work to open new ways of shaping magnetic fields in space," Sanchez told Phys.org. "Since magnetic fields are so crucial for so many technologies (e.g., almost 100% of the energy generated uses magnetic fields), finding these new possibilities may bring benefits." The basis of the technique lies in transformation optics, a field that deals with the control of electromagnetic waves and involves metamaterials and invisibility cloaks. While researchers have usually focused on using transformation optics ideas to control light, here the researchers applied the same ideas to control magnetic fields by designing a magnetic shell with specific electromagnetic properties. The shell can be used to control magnetic fields in two ways, depending on its location relative to a magnetic source. When a magnetic source is placed inside the shell, the shell expels the magnetic energy outside. When the shell is placed near a magnetic source located outside the shell, the shell harvests and concentrates the magnetic energy from the source into a hole in the shell's center. [quote] [IMG]http://cdn.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/2013/magneticenergyharvesting2.jpg[/IMG] ============================================================ Magnetic shells can be used to increase the magnetic energy of multiple magnets: The four magnetic dipoles in (a) interact very weakly, even when they are moved closer together in (b). However, when all four dipoles are surrounded by a shell as in (c), their exterior fields become enhanced, yielding a stronger magnetic field in the center region. Credit: Carles Navau, et al. ©2012 American Physical Society [/quote] In both cases, the shell works by dividing the space into an exterior and interior zone and then transferring the magnetic energy completely into one domain or the other. This method differs from the way that superconductors and ferromagnets distribute magnetic energy, where the energy always returns to the domain where the magnetic sources are. Although no material exists that can perfectly meet the requirements for the magnetic shell's properties, the physicists showed that they could closely approximate these properties by using wedges of alternating superconducting and ferromagnetic materials. For practical purposes, this approximation is sufficient to work for a variety of potential applications, in which the magnetic shell's two functions (transferring and concentrating) can be used together or independently. For instance, by surrounding two magnetic dipoles with their own shells, the magnetic coupling between them can be enhanced, which could be used to improve the efficiency of wireless power transmission between a source and a receiver. With its ability to concentrate nearby magnetic fields, a single magnetic shell could also be used to increase the sensitivity of magnetic sensors. The scientists demonstrated that a magnetic sensor placed inside the shell can detect a much larger magnetic flux from an external magnetic source than it would when using a typical concentration strategy involving superconductors. Magnetic sensors are often used in consumer electronics, factory automation, navigation, and many other areas. The magnetic shell could also have medical applications, such as for biosensors that measure the brain's response in magnetoencephalography, a technique used for mapping brain activity. The physicists also showed that the shells can be used to surround multiple magnetic sources arranged in a circle, allowing them to concentrate magnetic energy in the center of the circle. This arrangement could be used in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a technique used to treat psychiatric disorders. While TMS generally targets regions near the brain's surface, the magnetic shells could help extend the reach of magnetic fields to deeper targets. Magnetic energy also plays a vital role in power applications, such as in power plants, magnetic memories, and motors. All of these applications require magnetic energy to be spatially distributed or concentrated in a certain way. By enabling the control of magnetic energy in new ways, the magnetic shells could improve these applications and others due to their many possible configurations. "We are presently working on extending these ideas of applying transformation optics to the magnetic case into different directions, and see how future designs can be implemented in practice (in the present case, we suggested superconductors and ferromagnetic materials as a practical implementation of the magnetic shell)," Sanchez said. [B]Journal[/B] Carles Navau, et al. "Magnetic Energy Harvesting and Concentration at a Distance by Transformation Optics." PRL 109, 263903 (2012). DOI: [URL="http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.263903"]10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.263903[/URL] ============================================================ [B]Source:[/B] [URL]http://phys.org/news/2013-01-magnetic-shell-unprecedented-fields.html[/URL] [/quote]

Radiation shielding for spacecraft?

I wonder if this could generate a sort of long-range magnetic sheath? If so, I think we've found tech that could be used in the barrel of a plasma rifle; in theory the magnetic sheath would compress and contain the burst of plasma long enough for it to hit the target before the shot ends up blooming and dissipating. Even if it doesn't work for plasma weapons, it's still a pretty neat tech we've discovered. And if it helps with magnetic shielding against cosmic radiation, that's even better!

[QUOTE=MrBob1337;39098033]Radiation shielding for spacecraft?[/QUOTE] Hoverboards! :v:

I hope we see more of this tech later down the line; it could turn out to be amazingly useful.

[QUOTE=ironman17;39098129]I hope we see more of this tech later down the line; it could turn out to be amazingly useful.[/QUOTE] I personally think these sorts of technology will be the future. Have been looking into it for a while, nice article OP.

now we know we can do it, the next step is making it accessible to people to mass produce for future applications.

That's pretty much how it goes; we make a discovery, then work out the applications and invent the plasma rifle, simultaneously unlocking a hellish arsenal of guns that shoot lasery fire. (technically it's microwaves exciting the plasma and magnetics containing the "bolt", but whatever)

[QUOTE=Bradyns;39098089]Hoverboards! :v:[/QUOTE] apparently things that are at negative kelvin can counter gravity sooo......

[QUOTE=ironman17;39098912]That's pretty much how it goes; we make a discovery, then work out the applications and invent the plasma rifle, simultaneously unlocking a hellish arsenal of guns that shoot lasery fire. (technically it's microwaves exciting the plasma and magnetics containing the "bolt", but whatever)[/QUOTE] An unfortunate truth...

I think I speak for everyone when I say; does this mean we're one step closer to lightsabers?

[QUOTE=ironman17;39098088]I wonder if this could generate a sort of long-range magnetic sheath? If so, I think we've found tech that could be used in the barrel of a plasma rifle; in theory the magnetic sheath would compress and contain the burst of plasma long enough for it to hit the target before the shot ends up blooming and dissipating. Even if it doesn't work for plasma weapons, it's still a pretty neat tech we've discovered. And if it helps with magnetic shielding against cosmic radiation, that's even better![/QUOTE] Someone's been following Warhammer 40k.

[QUOTE=aznz888;39099701]Someone's been following Warhammer 40k.[/QUOTE] Kinda, though actually I first learned about plasma stuff when I saw videos involving tiny fires (flaming toothpicks to be precise) that were excited by the radiation in microwaves. Then there's also how those toroidal fusion reactors work, with magnetic fields being used to contain the plasma. But two and two together, as well as finding out about plasma blooming, and I assume that's how a plasma weapon works; I only heard about 40K plasma weapons until a fair time later. Still, if plasma weapons were a real thing, they'd burn like a motherfucker, and the army would need to manufacture uniforms that are very much non-flammable.

[quote]The physicists also showed that the shells can be used to surround multiple magnetic sources arranged in a circle, allowing them to concentrate magnetic energy in the center of the circle[/quote] Oh great, now Gauss rifles are probably practical to make

[QUOTE=ironman17;39098912]That's pretty much how it goes; we make a discovery, then work out the applications and invent the plasma rifle, simultaneously unlocking a hellish arsenal of guns that shoot lasery fire. (technically it's microwaves exciting the plasma and magnetics containing the "bolt", but whatever)[/QUOTE] An oversight people have about the idea of plasma weaponry is, the "bolt" wouldn't do much damage unless compressed to extreme densities, where upon release of the confinement system, it explodes, and heats. The reason a plasma cutter can cut steel easily is because it's a constant stream.

That's one thing I thought about; it probably wouldn't have much penetration or stopping power but it would have a lot of light and heat involved, so it'd do a big number on unprotected targets like bare skin or non-flammable clothing. It'd also need to be pretty powerful to damage metal armour plating, since the metal would absorb some of the heat; then again it might also increase the chance of electronics and mechanisms in a tank or mech overheating. Even though we have some of the prerequisite techs for the plasma rifle, it'll need plenty of proper design and engineering before we have a device that can fire dense bolts of plasma, and even then it'd be sort of a conditional weapon; at this stage in history it'd kinda work like a shoulder-mounted cannon or an underslung attachment similar to an M203, with a sizeable battery and/or fuel canister required for charging a proper shot. I'd probably give it about 10 years for plasma cannons to become a thing in terms or shoulder-mounted or underslung, and maybe another 30 before we find ourselves with a reliable rifle or pistol version, since assumedly plasma bolts would need charging before firing, as well as proper timing to avoid an "overcharge" wherein either it fizzles out or explodes in the barrel.

Sounds like we may still get flying cars and hoverboards by 2015

[QUOTE=ironman17;39104699] I'd probably give it about 10 years for plasma cannons to become a thing in terms or shoulder-mounted or underslung, and maybe another 30 before we find ourselves with a reliable rifle or pistol version, since assumedly plasma bolts would need charging before firing, as well as proper timing to avoid an "overcharge" wherein either it fizzles out or explodes in the barrel.[/QUOTE] We can barely manage plasma in chambers designed to hold plasma funded by several nations.

[QUOTE=viperfan7;39098923]apparently things that are at negative kelvin can counter gravity sooo......[/QUOTE] Shit man we've had levitating magnets for much much longer than that, supercooled magnets have the peculiar ability to shout "suck my nuts gravity!" and just start floating, had them for years too.

[QUOTE=viperfan7;39098923]apparently things that are at negative kelvin can counter gravity sooo......[/QUOTE] Did you just put 'negative' and 'Kelvin' next to each other?

[QUOTE=alien_guy;39104890]Im sorry but did you just put 'negative' and 'Kelvin', next to each other?[/QUOTE] [url]http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1237123[/url] Science motherfucker

[QUOTE=kaze4159;39104915][url]http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1237123[/url] Science motherfucker[/QUOTE] Damn it science, dont call something absolute zero if you can go below it.

[QUOTE=MrBob1337;39098033]Radiation shielding for spacecraft?[/QUOTE] Don't forget wireless energy transfer.

[QUOTE=alien_guy;39104950]Damn it science, dont call something absolute zero if you can go below it.[/QUOTE] They never went below it. Read in the thread.

[QUOTE=Swebonny;39105034]They never went below it. Read in the thread.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Sub-Zero Thread;39087939]Schneider and his colleagues reached such sub-absolute-zero temperatures with an ultracold quantum gas made up of potassium atoms.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=OpethRockr55;39105077]_[/QUOTE] Once again, read the thread or the actual published paper and not an article explaining it. Me and several people that actually read has explained it already. They reached negative temperatures. That's not the same as breaking the laws of thermodynamics.

[QUOTE=ironman17;39098912]That's pretty much how it goes; we make a discovery, then work out the applications and invent the plasma rifle, simultaneously unlocking a hellish arsenal of guns that shoot lasery fire. (technically it's microwaves exciting the plasma and magnetics containing the "bolt", but whatever)[/QUOTE] but what would contain the plasma after it leaves the gun and not make it superheat the air right in front of the shooter [editline]5th January 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=viperfan7;39098923]apparently things that are at negative kelvin can counter gravity sooo......[/QUOTE] they think that some particles in a gas which is at negative tempratures would maybe possibly not be affected by gravity, so you still have to discover magic gas production and a way to actually use it [editline]5th January 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=ironman17;39104699]That's one thing I thought about; it probably wouldn't have much penetration or stopping power but it would have a lot of light and heat involved, so it'd do a big number on unprotected targets like bare skin or non-flammable clothing. It'd also need to be pretty powerful to damage metal armour plating, since the metal would absorb some of the heat; then again it might also increase the chance of electronics and mechanisms in a tank or mech overheating. Even though we have some of the prerequisite techs for the plasma rifle, it'll need plenty of proper design and engineering before we have a device that can fire dense bolts of plasma, and even then it'd be sort of a conditional weapon; at this stage in history it'd kinda work like a shoulder-mounted cannon or an underslung attachment similar to an M203, with a sizeable battery and/or fuel canister required for charging a proper shot. I'd probably give it about 10 years for plasma cannons to become a thing in terms or shoulder-mounted or underslung, and maybe another 30 before we find ourselves with a reliable rifle or pistol version, since assumedly plasma bolts would need charging before firing, as well as proper timing to avoid an "overcharge" wherein either it fizzles out or explodes in the barrel.[/QUOTE] what about firing a line of weak plasma and then firing a big electric bolt down the (very well conducting) plasma

I usually understand only little of these things. But damn, I love em. The possibilities are wide enough to cause some major changes in our everyday living. Yet of course it takes time until it can be used.

[QUOTE=Bradyns;39098089]Hoverboards! :v:[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=viperfan7;39098923]apparently things that are at negative kelvin can counter gravity sooo......[/QUOTE] Yes they have a opposite direction of gravity. But remember on small scale, e.g A hover board. The strength of gravity is very small. To oppose the gravity of earth to an equilibrium, equally to "Hover", unfortunately, you would require an object to equal the same gravitational field strength of earth. ] Rearranging newtons law of g=GM/r^2, where 9.81 is earths gravitational field strength and r is around half the depth of our board, lets call r 0.1m. (G is the gravitational constant) The mass of the board required would be M=gr^2/G which is (9.81)(0.1)^2 /6.67*10^-11 Mass = 1500000000 kg (2.s.f) Basically you'd require a really fucking heavy hover board!

Mmmmmmmono-pole magnets?