Described by scientists at the Jagiellonian University as a “universal method that can be used to create a wide range of molecular, the soft magnetic materials can be used in areas such as quantum computers, energy transformers, drug carriers, or self-destructive memory carriers needed, for example, in the military industry.

Based on precursors with cyanide ligands, it is possible to create micromagnets using a wide range of easily available elements. In practice, this means a low cost technology that can be implemented and is independent from difficult-to-access and expensive metals, such as cobalt, nickel or rare earth metals, currently used to produce magnetic materials.

'We can obtain not only molecules, but also crystals of various sizes, powder and coatings with magnetic properties', says Professor Janusz Szklarzewicz from the university’s Faculty of Chemistry.

The new technology enables the production of soft ferromagnets that retain their durability and magnetic properties at high temperatures. Molecular materials previously used in industry lose their ferromagnetic properties at very low temperatures, even below the temperature of liquid nitrogen, which limits the possibilities of their practical use.

In molecular magnets, a very high ratio of the strength of the magnetic field to the mass of the material is achieved. Such a material may change its magnetic properties under the influence of external factors, e.g. light.

'Photosensitivity enables the use of these materials, for example, in the production of a new type of memory media, in which the key element is a thin magnetic coating. Such a coating can be destroyed in a controlled manner under the influence of light and temperature. Importantly, this type of controlled destruction actually causes irreversible data loss. Perhaps this type of technology will also be used in the military industry or specialised IT in the future’, says Professor Szklarzewicz.

The properties of soft magnetics are promising for efficient energy transfer and voltage transformation. Appropriate materials of this type also enable the construction of devices with low energy loss that can operate at very high frequencies.

'The class of materials we have developed has magnetic properties at the molecular level and behaves similarly to ferromagnets, i.e. traditional magnets. The properties of the material are due to the properties of the individual molecules and not the crystalline structure, as is the case with conventional magnets. In practice, this means that we can make magnetic microparticles from suitable precursors. We can also combine them to produce the desired target material, such as a crystal, liquid or coating. It all depends on the intended use of the magnet', says Dr. Maciej Hodorowicz, co-author of the invention.

The Jagiellonian University has secured technology protection through patent applications in Poland and abroad. It is now important to establish cooperation with entities from various industries that decide to test and implement this innovation.

'There are wide implementation possibilities in areas such as quantum computers, energy transformers, drug carriers, miniaturisation of electronics, production of data carriers, or in such sophisticated segments as sealing magnetic fluids used in space stations or satellites', says Dr Gabriela Konopka-Cupiał, Director of the Jagiellonian University Technology Transfer Centre (CITTRU).

PAP - Science in Poland

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