World's First Practical Plastic Magnet

Stopmotioncleaverman writes "New Scientist is reporting that scientists at the University of Durham in the UK have created the world's first plastic magnet to work at room temperature from two compounds, emeraldine base polyaniline (PANi) and tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ). In 2001, scientists in Nebraska created a plastic magnet, but it only worked at 10 Kelvin. Most notably from the article - "One of the most likely applications is in the magnetic coating of computer hard discs, which could lead to a new generation of high-capacity discs". This story is also being reported in lots of other places."

Comments

This takes time

[bert.cl]

After a quick read, I can only see that the polymer needs a lot of time to get magnetic properties, as opposed to metal. This might come in handy with hard disks, however, another usage I had in mind (Lego bricks and other children's toys) falls of the boat. Since I think this will be a little to expensive.

I might be wrong though, I'm not a rocket scientist (or polymer scientist if you want)

Re:Potential for high-end audio applications?

[JanneM]

IANAAP, but I believe electrostatic speakers covers that aspect pretty well already. There, the entire surface of the membrane is moving in concert as well.

Re:Potential for high-end audio applications?

[iamdrscience]

I don't really see how this plastic could ever really help make a better speaker, but knowing how many useless superstitious expensive bullshit many audiophiles will buy (i.e. cable that costs $300 per meter), I'm sure if you made such a product you'd have no trouble selling it.

Re:Plastic Fantastic

[Frogbert]

Mmmmm Naked Nurses :)

Have you ever even seen a real nurse?

Re:Could this lead

[LiquidCoooled]

At this point, the field strength of these magnets does not even come close to the current magnetic/ceramic magents we have, so its uses would be extremely limited.

In the article, they say that they were ready to throw the batch away, but they had aquired magnetic properties over 3 months in storage.

Whilst we must obviously wait and see, it doesnt look likely at this point.

Re:Replacing copper in hydrogen fuelcell engines

[Vo0k]

Sorry to disappoint you but the idea isn't as stupid as it looks :)
Electric motor needs magnets on both sides, both stator and motor. Only one needs to create variable field. You can perfectly well make the stator or rotor with normal magnets, frequently done with small motors too. The problem is any larger magnets are damn heavy compared to their strength, so usually in stronger/bigger motors electromagnets are used instead. Now if the plastic magnet was light enough and strong enough, it could perfectly well replace half of the coils present in the motor. The other half would have to remain there to create the changing field.