Supercharge Alert: 35.1-Tesla Magnet Breaks the World Record 🔥
Chinese scientists at the Institute of Plasma Physics (ASIPP) in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province have just stunned the world by generating a steady 35.1-tesla magnetic field—over 700,000 times stronger than Earth’s natural magnetism (which is only ~0.5 gauss)! 😮
This next-gen fully superconducting magnet isn’t just a flex for science: it’s a game-changer for tech you’ve heard of—and some you haven’t:
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectrometers: Think of these as super-precise MRI scanners on steroids, crucial for drug discovery and material analysis.
- Magnetic Confinement Fusion: The magnetic cage needed to tame plasma for clean energy. ☀️
- Magnetic Levitation: Future maglev trains and even frictionless bearing tech—zoom through Asia like never before.
- Space Propulsion & Power: Better electromagnetic thrusters and efficient power transmission for satellites and spacecraft.
How’d they pull it off? The team used a combo of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) inner coils and low-temperature superconductors (LTS) on the outside. Nesting these allowed them to tackle:
- Stress concentration under extreme fields 💪
- Shielding currents that can mess with performance ⚡
- Multi-field coupling challenges at super-cold temps ❄️
They safely powered up to 35.1 tesla, held it for 30 minutes, then demagnetized it without a hitch—fully proving the tech’s reliability. This leap also doubles the previous record of 323,500 gauss from just a couple years ago.
With superconducting materials and systems now fully localized, ASIPP is also the driving force behind China’s contributions to ITER, the international fusion megaproject. They’re supplying superconductors, correction coils, and magnet feeders—pretty much the heart of next-gen energy research. ⚙️✨
Bottom line: This isn’t just lab bragging rights. It’s a major step toward cleaner energy, faster transport, and cutting-edge scientific instruments. Stay tuned—our future is magnetic! 🌟
Reference(s):
Scientists set world record with magnetic field 700,000 times Earth's
cgtn.com
