Physics Current Event

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Physics

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Apr 3, 2024

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Little Big Coil The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, better known as MagLab, is one of the largest magnet laboratories in the world. MagLab is responsible for numerous breakthroughs in magnetic fields and they are revolutionizing the field of magnetism. In 1999, MagLab showcased the 45-T, the highest magnetic field of the time, at 45 Teslas. The 45-T is made up of superconducting coils made of niobium-based alloys and the copper coils are contained inside larger magnetic coils. The 45-T weighs 35 tons and is still one of the strongest magnets to this day. In the summer of 2019, MagLab came upon another breakthrough in the field of physics, the “Little Big Coil” (LBC). LBC is a very tiny magnet in comparison to modern-day magnets, weighing only 390 grams, but is able to obtain a higher continuous magnetic field than the 35 ton 45-T at 45.5 Teslas. This may not seem like much, but it is a revolutionary breakthrough. It was possible in part due to the usage of REBCO (rare-earth barium copper oxide) in the superconductors of the LBC. REBCO can carry more electricity and current than the niobium used in the 45-T, thus making it able to generate a higher magnetic field. REBCO tapes would occasionally crack under stress from the magnetic field, so MagLab had to use a thinner REBCO tape with a non-slit edge. Most modern electromagnets have insulation between superconductors that lead the electrical current. The LBC, however, has no insulation, which allows it to avert a quench (a problem with electromagnets where the current is blocked and heating properties begin to diminish). Since there is no insulation, the LBC does not need an extensive amount of copper in order to expel heat. Through a long trial and error process, MagLab was able to make a record level magnetic

field in a magnet significantly smaller than its predecessors. This breakthrough will further help in various fields of science. The Little Big Coil made by MagLab greatly relates to physics. Physics, as defined by Oxford Languages, is the “branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy.” The LBC falls under the electromagnetism branch of physics. Electromagnetism is one of the four fundamental forces of nature. The principles of electromagnetism that show the properties of matter and energy in nature are showcased in the LBC. Electromagnetic forces are physical phenomena that occur between electrons in an electrical current. The LBC uses electromagnets made of copper coils and an electric current passes through the coils in order to generate a magnetic field. The results and findings that were obtained from the making of the Little Big Coil will aid in many future real-world applications. The LBC can lead to more manufactured small magnets that are able to perform much more efficiently and are capable of greater tasks. Magnets are essential in many medical devices and equipment, such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanners. An MRI is a machine that contains powerful magnets which transfer current to the neurons in a patient's body and scans the interior of a patient's body in great detail. MRIs help doctors diagnose patients with any health problems. The magnets in MRI scanners at a hospital are about 2-3 Teslas in strength. The LBC is able to deliver 45.5 Teslas in strength and is much smaller than typical MRI magnets. This means that in the future, MRI scanners could be much, much smaller than they are now, and able to perform greater feats due to the addition of stronger and smaller magnets. There are numerous other medical devices like dialysis machines,

insulators, etc, that rely on magnets. The LBC can even lead to new discoveries in curing Cancer and other Chronic Diseases. The making of the LBC could lead to an overall better standard of living as medical equipment will be more efficient and more accessible to the general public. In conclusion, the Little Big Coil made by MagLab is a revolutionary magnet that is able to break records in magnetic field strength. The LBC will pave the way for smaller magnets to replace much larger magnets, with even greater electromagnetic force. These smaller, yet more powerful magnets will help achieve even greater feats in the healthcare sector. Who knows, MagLab’s Little Big Coil might even lead to breakthroughs in fighting cancer that scientists have been trying to discover for centuries.

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