However, a study from the University of Minnesota, published in Science Advances, demonstrated that pyrite can be electrically transformed into a magnetic material. This is the first time that this has been accomplished in the history of science.
This pWould hate to be invaluable for developing low-cost, more energy efficient solar cells or computer memories.
The accomplished of the scientists from the University of Minnesota it is just a first step. In fact, they still haven’t found a way to make this new magnetic material efficient enough.
To convert the “fool’s gold” into a magnetic material, the scientists used a technique called electrolyte activation. First they took the non-magnetic material the iron sulfide and mixed it with an ionic solution, very similar to that of sports drinks.
Then they applied 1 volt to it and added positively charged molecules. In this way they managed to introduce magnetism.
–
