Proteins as nanomagnets and magnetoreceptors

It is an appealing notion that a protein molecule could act as a nanomagnet.A genetically encodable biomolecule with a permanent magnetic moment at room temperature could have a range of applications:a magnetogenetic actuator,a magnetic tag for purifying and immobilizing enzymes,a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging,and a basis for a biomimetic magnetic sensing device,to name just a few.A magnetic protein could perhaps also function as the sensor in the magnetic compass that enables small songbirds to navigate the huge distances between their breeding and wintering grounds.Attractive though such possibilities may be,how realistic are they?

Effect of In doping on the evolution of microstructure,magnetic properties and corrosion resistance of NdFeB magnets

The grain boundary phase affects the magnetic properties and corrosion resistance of sintered NdFeB magnets.In this work,a small amount of In was added to NdFeB magnets by induction melting to systematically investigate its effect on the evolution of the microstructure,magnetic properties and corrosion resistance of NdFeB magnets.Microstructural analysis illustrated that minor In addition generated more grain boundary phases and an abundant amorphous phase at the triple-junction grain boundary.While the addition of In failed to enhance the magnetic isolation effect between adjacent matrix grains,its incorporation fortuitously elevated the electrochemical potential of the In-containing magnets.Besides,during corrosion,an In-rich precipitate phase formed,hindering the ingress of the corrosive medium into the magnet.Consequently,this significantly bolstered the corrosion resistance of the sintered NdFeB magnets.The phase formation,magnetic properties and corrosion resistance of In-doped NdFeB magnets are detailed in this work,which provides new prospects for the preparation of high-performance sintered NdFeB magnets.

Analytical computation of magnetic field in coil-dominated superconducting quadrupole magnets based on racetrack coils

Currently,three types of superconducting quadrupole magnets are used in particle accelerators:cos 2θ,CCT,and serpentine.However,all three coil configurations have complex spatial geometries,which make magnet manufacturing and strain-sensitive superconductor applications difficult.Compared with the three existing quadrupole coils,the racetrack quadrupole coil has a simple shape and manufacturing process,but there have been few theoretical studies.In this paper,the two-dimensional and three-dimensional analytical expressions for the magnetic field in coil-dominated racetrack superconducting quadrupole magnets are presented.The analytical expressions of the field harmonics and gradient are fully resolved and depend only on the geometric parameters of the coil and current density.Then,a genetic algorithm is applied to obtain a solution for the coil geometry parameters with field harmonics on the order of 10^(-4).Finally,considering the practical engineering needs of the accelerator interaction region,electromagnetic design examples of racetrack quadrupole magnets with high gradients,large apertures,and small apertures are described,and the application prospects of racetrack quadrupole coils are analyzed.

Toward understanding the microstructure characteristics,phase selection and magnetic properties of laser additive manufactured Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets

Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets play a crucial role in energy conversion and electronic devices.The essential magnetic properties of Nd-Fe-B magnets,particularly coercivity and remanent magnetization,are significantly infuenced by the phase characteristics and microstructure.In this work,Nd-Fe-B magnets were manufactured using vacuum induction melting(VIM),laser directed energy deposition(LDED)and laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)technologies.Themicrostructure evolution and phase selection of Nd-Fe-B magnets were then clarified in detail.The results indicated that the solidification velocity(V)and cooling rate(R)are key factors in the phase selection.In terms of the VIM-casting Nd-Fe-B magnet,a large volume fraction of theα-Fe soft magnetic phase(39.7 vol.%)and Nd2Fe17Bxmetastable phase(34.7 vol.%)areformed due to the low R(2.3×10-1?C s-1),whereas only a minor fraction of the Nd2Fe14B hard magnetic phase(5.15 vol.%)is presented.For the LDED-processed Nd-Fe-B deposit,although the Nd2Fe14B hard magnetic phase also had a low value(3.4 vol.%)as the values of V(<10-2m s-1)and R(5.06×103?C s-1)increased,part of theα-Fe soft magnetic phase(31.7vol.%)is suppressed,and a higher volume of Nd2Fe17Bxmetastable phases(47.5 vol.%)areformed.As a result,both the VIM-casting and LDED-processed Nd-Fe-B deposits exhibited poor magnetic properties.In contrast,employing the high values of V(>10-2m s-1)and R(1.45×106?C s-1)in the LPBF process resulted in the substantial formation of the Nd2Fe14B hard magnetic phase(55.8 vol.%)directly from the liquid,while theα-Fe soft magnetic phase and Nd2Fe17Bxmetastable phase precipitation are suppressed in the LPBF-processed Nd-Fe-B magnet.Additionally,crystallographic texture analysis reveals that the LPBF-processedNd-Fe-B magnets exhibit isotropic magnetic characteristics.Consequently,the LPBF-processed Nd-Fe-B deposit,exhibiting a coercivity of 656 k A m-1,remanence of 0.79 T and maximum energy product of 71.5 k J m-3,achieved an acceptable magnetic performance,comparable to other additive manufacturing processed Nd-Fe-B magnets from MQP(Nd-lean)Nd-Fe-Bpowder.

An improved analysis method for assessing the nuclear-heating impact on the stability of toroidal field magnets in fusion reactors

The superconducting magnet system of a fusion reactor plays a vital role in plasma confinement,a process that can be dis-rupted by various operational factors.A critical parameter for evaluating the temperature margin of superconducting magnets during normal operation is the nuclear heating caused by D-T neutrons.This study investigates the impact of nuclear heat-ing on a superconducting magnet system by employing an improved analysis method that combines neutronics and thermal hydraulics.In the magnet system,toroidal field(TF)magnets are positioned closest to the plasma and bear the highest nuclear-heat load,making them prime candidates for evaluating the influence of nuclear heating on stability.To enhance the modeling accuracy and facilitate design modifications,a parametric TF model that incorporates heterogeneity is established to expedite the optimization design process and enhance the accuracy of the computations.A comparative analysis with a homogeneous TF model reveals that the heterogeneous model improves accuracy by over 12%.Considering factors such as heat load,magnetic-field strength,and cooling conditions,the cooling circuit facing the most severe conditions is selected to calculate the temperature of the superconductor.This selection streamlines the workload associated with thermal-hydraulic analysis.This approach enables a more efficient and precise evaluation of the temperature margin of TF magnets.Moreover,it offers insights that can guide the optimization of both the structure and cooling strategy of superconducting magnet systems.

Superconducting joints using reacted multifilament MgB_(2)wires:A technology toward cryogen-free MRI magnets

The development of superconducting joining technology for reacted magnesium diboride(MgB_(2))conductors remains a critical challenge for the advancement of cryogen-free MgB_(2)-based magnets for magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).Herein,the fabrication of superconducting joints using reacted carbon-doped multifilament MgB_(2)wires for MRI magnets is reported.To achieve successful superconducting joints,the powder-in-mold method was employed,which involved tuning the filament protection mechanism,the powder compaction pressure,and the heat treatment condition.The fabricated joints demonstrated clear superconducting-to-normal transitions in self-field,with effective magnetic field screening up to 0.5 T at 20 K.To evaluate the interface between one of the MgB_(2)filaments and the MgB_(2)bulk within the joint,serial sectioning was conducted for the first time in this type of superconducting joint.The serial sectioning revealed space formation at the interface,potentially caused by the volume shrinkage associated with the MgB_(2)formation or the combined effect of the volume shrinkage and the different thermal expansion coefficients of the MgB_(2)bulk,the filament,the mold,and the sealing material.These findings are expected to be pivotal in developing MgB_(2)superconducting joining technology for MRI magnet applications through interface engineering.

Integrated multi-scale approach combining global homogenization and local refinement for multi-field analysis of high-temperature superconducting composite magnets

Second-generation high-temperature superconducting(HTS)conductors,specifically rare earth-barium-copper-oxide(REBCO)coated conductor(CC)tapes,are promising candidates for high-energy and high-field superconducting applications.With respect to epoxy-impregnated REBCO composite magnets that comprise multilayer components,the thermomechanical characteristics of each component differ considerably under extremely low temperatures and strong electromagnetic fields.Traditional numerical models include homogenized orthotropic models,which simplify overall field calculation but miss detailed multi-physics aspects,and full refinement(FR)ones that are thorough but computationally demanding.Herein,we propose an extended multi-scale approach for analyzing the multi-field characteristics of an epoxy-impregnated composite magnet assembled by HTS pancake coils.This approach combines a global homogenization(GH)scheme based on the homogenized electromagnetic T-A model,a method for solving Maxwell's equations for superconducting materials based on the current vector potential T and the magnetic field vector potential A,and a homogenized orthotropic thermoelastic model to assess the electromagnetic and thermoelastic properties at the macroscopic scale.We then identify“dangerous regions”at the macroscopic scale and obtain finer details using a local refinement(LR)scheme to capture the responses of each component material in the HTS composite tapes at the mesoscopic scale.The results of the present GH-LR multi-scale approach agree well with those of the FR scheme and the experimental data in the literature,indicating that the present approach is accurate and efficient.The proposed GH-LR multi-scale approach can serve as a valuable tool for evaluating the risk of failure in large-scale HTS composite magnets.

Transient multi-physics behavior of an insert high temperature superconducting no-insulation coil in hybrid superconducting magnets with inductive coupling

A transient multi-physics model incorporated with an electromagneto-thermomechanical coupling is developed to capture the multi-field behavior of a single-pancake(SP)insert no-insulation(NI)coil in a hybrid magnet during the charging and discharging processes.The coupled problem is resolved by means of the finite element method(FEM)for the magneto-thermo-elastic behaviors and the Runge-Kutta method for the transient responses of the electrical circuits of the hybrid superconducting magnet system.The results reveal that the transient multi-physics responses of the insert NI coil primarily depend on the charging/discharging procedure of the hybrid magnet.Moreover,a reverse azimuthal current and a compressive hoop stress are induced in the insert NI coil during the charging process,while a forward azimuthal current and a tensile hoop stress are observed during the discharging process.The induced voltages in the insert NI coil can drive the currents flowing across the radial turns where the contact resistance exists.Therefore,it brings forth significant Joule heat,causing a temperature rise and a uniform distribution of this heat in the coil turns.Accordingly,a thermally/mechanically unstable or quenching event may be encountered when a high operating current is flowing in the insert NI coil.It is numerically predicted that a quick charging will induce a compressive hoop stress which may bring a risk of buckling instability in the coil,while a discharging will not.The simulations provide an insight of hybrid superconducting magnets under transient start-up or shutdown phases which are inevitably encountered in practical applications.

Effect of CeO_(2)doping on the coercivity of 2:17 type SmCo magnets

The effects of CeO_(2)doping on the magnetic properties and microstructure of 2:17 type SmCo magnets are studied.With the increase of CeO_(2)from 0 wt.%to 3 wt.%,the coercivity of the magnets increases from 22.22 kOe to over 29.37 kOe,which is an increase of more than 30%.When the doping content is lower than 1 wt.%,the remanence and magnetic energy product of the magnets remain almost constant.Both decrease sharply as the doping concentration further increases.After CeO_(2)doping,the oxide content in the magnet increases significantly and the Ce element is uniformly distributed in the magnet.Observing the magnetic domains reveals that doping with CeO_(2)can refine the magnetic domains and make the magnetic domain wall more stable,resulting in a significant increase in the coercivity of the magnets.

Micromagnetic study of magnetization reversal in inhomogeneous permanent magnets

Macroscopic magnetic properties of magnets strongly depend on the magnetization process and the microstructure of the magnets.Complex materials such as hard-soft exchange-coupled magnets or just real technical materials with impurities and inhomogeneities exhibit complex magnetization behavior.Here we investigate the effects of size,volume fraction,and surroundings of inhomogeneities on the magnetic properties of an inhomogeneous magnetic material via micromagnetic simulations.The underlying magnetization reversal and coercivity mechanisms are revealed.Three different demagnetization characteristics corresponding to the exchange coupling phase,semi-coupled phase,and decoupled phase are found,depending on the size of inhomogeneities.In addition,the increase in the size of inhomogeneities leads to a transition of the coercivity mechanism from nucleation to pinning.This work could be useful for optimizing the magnetic properties of both exchange-coupled nanomagnets and inhomogeneous single-phase magnets.

Simulation of the SMILE Soft X-ray Imager response to a southward interplanetary magnetic field turning

The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer(SMILE)Soft X-ray Imager(SXI)will shine a spotlight on magnetopause dynamics during magnetic reconnection.We simulate an event with a southward interplanetary magnetic field turning and produce SXI count maps with a 5-minute integration time.By making assumptions about the magnetopause shape,we find the magnetopause standoff distance from the count maps and compare it with the one obtained directly from the magnetohydrodynamic(MHD)simulation.The root mean square deviations between the reconstructed and MHD standoff distances do not exceed 0.2 RE(Earth radius)and the maximal difference equals 0.24 RE during the 25-minute interval around the southward turning.

Origins of perturbations in dayside equatorial ground magnetograms

To determine the cause(s)of perturbations seen in dayside equatorial ground magnetograms,we conducted a systematic survey of simultaneous ground-based and geosynchronous satellite-based observations during the 90-day period from December 1,2020 to February 28,2021.We examined Huancayo ground magnetometer observations from 14:00:00 to 20:00:00 UT each day,during which Huancayo passed through local noon.From those data we chose perturbation events selected on the basis of large(>20 nT)event amplitude and classified the selected events as responding primarily to solar wind pressure,or to variations in the north/south component of the interplanetary magnetic field(IMF Bz),or perhaps in part to both.The results show that an equivalent number of events were identified for each model during this 90-day period.Variations in the lagged solar wind dynamic pressure routinely correspond to nearly simultaneous sudden impulses recorded at both geosynchronous orbit and on the ground.Variations in IMF Bz produce erosion signatures at geosynchronous orbit and can correspond to ground events if lag times for reconnection to enhance convection in the magnetosphere are taken into account.

Magnetic resonance imaging of extraocular rectus muscles abnormalities in acute acquired concomitant esotropia

AIM:To investigate the difference of medial rectus(MR)and lateral rectus(LR)between acute acquired concomitant esotropia(AACE)and the healthy controls(HCs)detected by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).METHODS:A case-control study.Eighteen subjects with AACE and eighteen HCs were enrolled.MRI scanning data were conducted in target-controlled central gaze with a 3-Tesla magnetic resonance scanner.Extraocular muscles(EOMs)were scanned in contiguous image planes 2-mm thick spanning the EOM origins to the globe equator.To form posterior partial volumes(PPVs),the LR and MR cross-sections in the image planes 8,10,12,and 14 mm posterior to the globe were summed and multiplied by the 2-mm slice thickness.The data were classified according to the right eye,left eye,dominant eye,and non-dominant eye,and the differences in mean cross-sectional area,maximum cross-sectional area,and PPVs of the MR and LR muscle in the AACE group and HCs group were compared under the above classifications respectively.RESULTS:There were no significant differences between the two groups of demographic characteristics.The mean cross-sectional area of the LR muscle was significantly greater in the AACE group than that in the HCs group in the non-dominant eyes(P=0.028).The maximum cross-sectional area of the LR muscle both in the dominant and non-dominant eye of the AACE group was significantly greater than the HCs group(P=0.009,P=0.016).For the dominant eye,the PPVs of the LR muscle were significantly greater in the AACE than that in the HCs group(P=0.013),but not in the MR muscle(P=0.698).CONCLUSION:The size and volume of muscles dominant eyes of AACE subjects change significantly to overcome binocular diplopia.The LR muscle become larger to compensate for the enhanced convergence in the AACE.

Magnetic-field-controlled spin valve and spin memory based on single-molecule magnets

A single-molecule magnet is a long-sought-after nanoscale component because it can enable us to miniaturize nonvolatile memory storage devices.The signature of a single-molecule magnet is switching between two bistable magnetic ground states under an external magnetic field.Based on this feature,we theoretically investigate a magnetic-fieldcontrolled reversible resistance change active at low temperatures in a molecular magnetic tunnel junction,which consists of a single-molecule magnet sandwiched between a ferromagnetic electrode and a normal metal electrode.Our numerical results demonstrate that the molecular magnetism orientation can be manipulated by magnetic fields to be parallel/antiparallel to the ferromagnetic electrode magnetization.Moreover,different magnetic configurations can be“read out”based on different resistance states or different spin polarization parameters in the current spectrum,even in the absence of a magnetic field.Such an external magnetic field-controlled resistance state switching effect is similar to that in traditional spin valve devices.The difference between the two systems is that one of the ferromagnetic layers in the original device has been replaced by a magnetic molecule.This proposed scheme provides the possibility of better control of the spin freedom of electrons in molecular electrical devices,with potential applications in future high-density nonvolatile memory devices.

Design Optimization of a Novel Axial-radial Flux Permanent Magnet Claw Pole Machine with SMC Cores and Ferrite Magnets

Soft magnetic composite(SMC)material is an ideal soft magnetic material employed for developing 3D magnetic flux electromagnetic equipment,due to its advantages of 3D magnetic isotropy characteristic,low eddy current loss,and simple manufacturing process.The permanent magnet claw pole machine(PMCPM)with SMC cores is a good case that the SMC to be adopted for developing 3D flux electrical machines.In this paper,a novel axial-radial flux permanent magnet claw pole machine(ARPMCPM)with SMC cores and ferrite magnets is proposed.Compared with the traditional PMCPM,the proposed ARPMCPM is designed with only one spoke PM rotor and its whole structure is quite compact.For the performance prediction,the 3D finite element method(FEM)is used.Meanwhile,for the performance evaluation,a previously developed axial flux claw pole permanent magnet machine(AFCPM)is employed as the benchmark machine and all these machines are optimized by using the combined multilevel robust Taguchi method.It can be seen that the proposed ARPMCPM is with higher torque/weight density and operation efficiency.

Effect of TbF_(3)diffusion on the demagnetization behavior and domain evolution of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets by electrophoretic deposition

We studied the magnetic properties and domain evolution of annealed and TbF3-diffused sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets using the electrophoretic deposition method.After TbF_(3)diffusion,the coercivity increased significantly by 9.9 kOe and microstructural analysis suggested that Tb favored the formation of the(Nd,Tb)_(2)Fe_(14)B shell phase in the outer region of the matrix grains.The first magnetization reversal and the dynamic successive domain propagation process were detected with a magneto-optical Kerr microscope.For the TbF_(3)-diffused magnet,the magnetization reversal appeared at a larger applied field and the degree of simultaneous magnetization reversal decreased compared with an annealed magnet.During demagnetization after full magnetization,the occurrence of domain wall motion(DWM)in the reproduced multi-domain regions was observed by the step method.The maximum polarization change resulting from the reproduced DWM was inversely related to the coercivity.The increased coercivity for the diffused magnet was mainly attributed to the more difficult nucleation of the magnetic reversed region owing to the improved magneto-crystalline anisotropy field as a result of Tb diffusion.

Investigation of magnetization reversal and domain structures in perpendicular synthetic antiferromagnets by first-order reversal curves and magneto-optical Kerr effect

Perpendicular synthetic-antiferromagnet(p-SAF) has broad applications in spin-transfer-torque magnetic random access memory and magnetic sensors. In this study, the p-SAF films consisting of (Co/Ni)3]/Ir(tIr)/[(Ni/Co)3are fabricated by magnetron sputtering technology. We study the domain structure and switching field distribution in p-SAF by changing the thickness of the infrared space layer. The strongest exchange coupling field(Hex) is observed when the thickness of Ir layer(tIr) is 0.7 nm and becoming weak according to the Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida-type coupling at 1.05 nm,2.1 nm, 4.55 nm, and 4.9 nm in sequence. Furthermore, the domain switching process between the upper Co/Ni stack and the bottom Co/Ni stack is different because of the antiferromagnet coupling. Compared with ferromagnet coupling films, the antiferromagnet samples possess three irreversible reversal regions in the first-order reversal curve distribution.With tIrincreasing, these irreversible reversal regions become denser and smaller. The results from this study will help us understand the details of the magnetization reversal process in the p-SAF.

High-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosed based on changes in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography findings:A case report

BACKGROUND High-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia(PanIN)exhibits no mass and is not detected by any examination modalities.However,it can be diagnosed by pancreatic juice cytology from indirect findings.Most previous cases were diagnosed based on findings of a focal stricture of the main pancreatic duct(MPD)and caudal MPD dilatation and subsequent pancreatic juice cytology using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).We experienced a case of high-grade PanIN with an unclear MPD over a 20-mm range,but without caudal MPD dilatation on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP).CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old female patient underwent computed tomography for a follow-up of uterine cancer post-excision,which revealed pancreatic cysts.MRCP revealed an unclear MPD of the pancreatic body at a 20-mm length without caudal MPD dilatation.Thus,course observation was performed.After 24 mo,MRCP revealed an increased caudal MPD caliber and a larger pancreatic cyst.We performed ERCP and detected atypical cells suspected of adenocarcinoma by serial pancreatic juice aspiration cytology examination.We performed a distal pancreatectomy and obtained a histopathological diagnosis of high-grade PanIN.Pancreatic parenchyma invasion was not observed,and curative resection was achieved.CONCLUSION High-grade Pan-IN may cause MPD narrowing in a long range without caudal MPD dilatation.

Thermal expansion behavior of sintered Nd–Fe–B magnets with different Co contents and orientations

The thermal expansion behavior of sintered Nd–Fe–B magnets is a crucial parameter for production and application.However, this aspect has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, three different sintered Nd–Fe–B magnets with varying Co content(Co = 0, 6, 12 wt%) were prepared using the conventional powder metallurgy method, and four magnets oriented under different magnetic fields were prepared to compare. The thermal expansion behavior for the magnets was investigated using a linear thermal dilatometry in the temperature range of 20℃–500℃. It was found that, the coefficient of thermal expansion(CTE) increases with the increase of Co contents, while the anisotropy of thermal expansion decreases.The introduction of Co leads to continuous changes from negative to positive thermal expansion in the vertically oriented direction, which is important for the development of zero thermal expansion magnets. The thermal expansion of nonoriented magnets was found to be isotropic. Additionally, the anisotropy of thermal expansion increases with the increase of orientation degree. These results have important implications for the development of sintered Nd–Fe–B with controllable CTE.

Effect of spin-reorientation transition of cell boundary phases on the temperature dependence of magnetization and coercivity in Sm_(2)Co_(17) magnets

Four Sm_(2)Co_(17)magnets with spin-reorientation transition(SRT)of cell boundary phases(CBPs)are prepared by liquid-phase sintering.The temperature of the SRT of CBPs(T_(SR)^(1:5))is regulated from 125 K to 195 K by adding 0 wt.%,3 wt.%,6 wt.%and 9 wt.%Dy_(88)Cu_(12)alloy powder.The effect of SRT of Sm_(2)Co_(17)magnet CBPs on the temperature dependence of the magnetization(M-T)and coercivity(H-T)is systematically investigated.The temperature dependence of the magnetization is influenced by the SRT of CBPs.The M-T curves measured during the heating process are larger than those measured during the cooling process when T<T_(SR)^(1:5).When T=T_(SR)^(1:5)there is a bifurcation point.When T>T_(SR)^(1:5)the M-T curves overlap and the M-T derivation curve shows that the magnetization of the magnet has low temperature dependence of magnetization above T_(SR)^(1:5).With increasing T_(SR)^(1:5),the initial temperature of the low temperature dependence of magnetization shifts towards a higher temperature.The coercivity temperature coefficient becomes positive as the SRT effect increases,and the temperature range of the positive coercivity temperature coefficient moves towards higher temperatures as T_(SR)^(1:5)increases.This reveals that SRT of CBPs has little effect on the temperature dependence of magnetization above T_(SR)^(1:5),while the temperature dependence of coercivity is optimized.The temperature range of magnetization and coercivity with low temperature dependence tends towards higher temperatures,which is conducive to the preparation of magnets with a low temperature coefficient at higher temperatures.