China has just reached a new milestone in the field of resistive magnets, reaching a world record with a magnetic field of 42.02 Tesla, approximately 800,000 times more powerful than the Earth’s magnetic field. This development was carried out by researchers at the High Magnetic Field Laboratory of the Hefei Institute of Physics (HFIPS), under the auspices of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This breakthrough is all the more impressive as it exceeds the previous record of 41.4 Tesla held by the United States since 2017.
Possible applications in many fields
A magnet of this intensity opens the way to cutting-edge scientific applications, particularly in the study of materials and quantum physics. Indeed, extreme magnetic fields allow researchers to explore otherwise inaccessible physical phenomena, such as the internal structure of materials at the atomic scale. This could revolutionize several industries, including those that rely on precise magnetic field manipulation of materials, such as microelectronics and superconducting materials
The technical challenges of such an exploit
Designing a resistive magnet capable of reaching 42.02 Tesla poses major technological challenges, particularly because of the enormous amount of electricity required to power such a device. With a power supply of 32.3 megawatts, this magnet gives off considerable heat, posing a risk of overheating which could damage the equipment. In order to overcome this obstacle, Chinese engineers had to innovate in the structure of the magnet itself and optimize the materials used, in particular by improving the electrical conduction properties to effectively manage the heat produced.
Unlike superconducting magnets, which require extremely low temperatures to operate without electrical resistance, resistive magnets like this one offer greater flexibility in controlling the magnetic field. However, this flexibility comes at a high energy cost, requiring complex management to avoid unwanted thermal effects.
The impact on global technological dominance
This new record, which solidifies China’s position in the global race for cutting-edge technologies, could have significant geopolitical implications. By taking the lead in extreme magnetic field research, China is demonstrating its ability to compete with leading institutions such as the United States’ National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, which held the previous record in Cosmos. This strengthens China’s influence in the field of
basic research, a key element for technological advances in sectors such as medicine, transportation, and energy. The inauguration of this resistive magnet therefore marks a key step in thedevelopment of advanced scientific technologies
, highlighting the importance of Chinese investments in long-term research. This breakthrough could stimulate a new wave of international collaborations, but also accentuate the technological competitionbetween major powers.