I found this on the net:
http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2004/09/top_5_advances.html
“...First Plastic Magnet with Commercial Potential
Scientists have recently created the world's first plastic magnet that could have practical applications. Unlike other researchers who have developed plastic magnets that could only function at exceedingly low temperatures or have extremely weak magnetism at room temperature, researchers at the University of Durham in the UK have demonstrated that their plastic magnet can pick up iron filings from a laboratory bench. The plastic magnet's unprecedented ability to work at room temperature will allow it to be used in computer hard discs and in medical devices, such as in transducers for surgical implants, say the researchers. Indeed, the new plastic appears well suited for medical applications because the body is less likely to reject organic magnetic materials. ...”
Unfortunately that is all it says about the matter and I have been unable to find any more links about this and I want more info on this. In particularly, I want to know its chemical formula and, more importantly, how the strength of its magnetic field compares with the best iron magnets and in theory how much stronger could this be made with more research. Can anyone have better luck finding some links about this?
Originally posted by Andrew HamiltonI found this, a few years old so don't know the newer work, it apparently is just strong enough to lift iron filings, at least back in '04.
I found this on the net:
http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2004/09/top_5_advances.html
“...[b]First Plastic Magnet with Commercial Potential
Scientists have recently created the world's first plastic magnet that could have practical applications. Unlike other researchers who have developed plastic magnets that could only function at e ld this be made with more research. Can anyone have better luck finding some links about this?[/b]
http://news.cnet.com/Plastic-magnet-breaks-the-mold/2100-1015_3-5343329.html
Here is the chem dept at Durham:
http://www.dur.ac.uk/chemistry/