Magnets in Science and Technology
Magnetism is like gravity – it’s all around us, but we can’t see it, touch it, taste it or hear it. Like gravity, magnetism shapes our world. We know gravity is there because when we put a plate on a table, it stays there. We can feel the weight of objects. We take footsteps on solid ground. We fall over. We don’t float.
Magnetism, like gravity, is an invisible force, but it is even more mysterious than gravity in how it behaves and impacts the environments we live in. It’s hard to imagine what our world would be like without magnetism but that world would be very different to the one we see around us.
In fact, magnets and magnetism have played a pivotal role in shaping human history. Magnetism has enabled groundbreaking inventions that revolutionised how our ancestors evolved, how our societies were built and how we carried out our daily lives.
From the compass to modern electronic devices, these magnetic discoveries illustrate the profound impact of magnets on our technological progress.
The Compass
One of the earliest and most transformative inventions relying on magnets was the compass. First developed in ancient China, the compass uses a magnetised needle to align with Earth’s magnetic field, pointing north. This simple yet ingenious device revolutionised navigation, enabling explorers to traverse oceans, map new territories and connect distant parts of the world. The compass laid the foundation for globalisation, trade and cultural exchange.
That incredible discovery centuries ago literally changed the course of human evolution. The magnetic compass enabled people to establish civilisations in far flung continents. Wars, religions, societies, industries – all were shaped by the impact of the magnetic compass.
Electricity and Electromagnetism
The discovery of electromagnetism by Hans Christian Ørsted and the subsequent invention of the electric generator by Michael Faraday marked a turning point in human history. Magnets are integral to the generation and transmission of electricity, which powers modern society. Electric motors, transformers and generators all rely on magnetic fields to function. These inventions paved the way for industrialisation, urbanisation and technological advancements that define the modern era.
Human evolution hinged on the ability to generate electricity, which in turn was dependent on harnessing the power of magnetism. Without magnetism, without electricity, the advancement of society would be told as a very different story. Much like the age of technology in which we live, the age of electricity was transformative, radical and brought about profound change.
Communication Technologies
Magnets are central to the development of communication technologies. The invention of the telegraph and telephone relied on electromagnetic principles to transmit signals over long distances. Today, magnets are used in speakers, microphones and hard drives, enabling everything from voice calls to digital data storage. Without magnets, the information age as we know it would not exist.
Smartphones rely on tiny, powerful neodymium magnets to function. Modern societies rely on smartphones, and love them or loathe them, they are the single most powerful and useful device in modern life. Smartphones connect us to each other, to information, to employment, education, information, entertainment, to our geographical position, to our memories. And right there, helping to make our phones work – magnets.
Medical Imaging
In the field of healthcare, magnets have revolutionised diagnostics through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This non-invasive imaging technology uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the body’s internal structures. MRIs have become indispensable for diagnosing and treating medical conditions, from cancer to neurological disorders.
Diagnoses that would have taken days, weeks or months and may have required invasive investigative procedures, can be done painlessly and quickly, with MRI. Equally importantly, MRIs provide precision and accuracy in diagnoses and treatments, which have saved millions of lives. It is not an exaggeration to say that the role magnets play in magnetic resonance imaging is life-saving.
Transportation
Magnets have also transformed transportation. The development of maglev (magnetic levitation) trains, which use powerful magnets to lift and propel trains at high speeds, represents a leap forward in sustainable and efficient travel. Magnets reduce friction and energy consumption, offering a glimpse into the future of transportation. As we search for ways out of fossil fuel dependence, powerful magnetic levitation offers a sustainable, efficient alternative, and a glimpse into the future.
From navigation to modern medicine, magnets have been at the heart of countless innovations that define human progress. These inventions showcase the versatility and importance of magnets, demonstrating their irreplaceable role in advancing technology, improving lives and shaping the world as we know it. As research continues, magnets will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of future breakthroughs.
