Magnet Technology

/div>machine, and could even pose the threat of flying
Magnets are one of the most widely used and yetmetal debris in the work area.  In most plastic
infrequently thought about objects in our worldrecycling facilities, a conveyor magnet will be hung
today.  We'll explore some of the amazing uses ofdirectly above the conveyor belt to pick up any
magnets and the way that magnet technology keepsmetal debris that might be mixed in with the plastic.
the world moving. Many of us know very little aboutThe power of magnets has been harnessed into
magnets.  We recall basic science experiments frommany high-tech applications, as well.  One such
elementary school, designed to teach us about thehigh-tech use of magnets can be found in a new
basics of magnetism.  Some of us might recall thattype of windows for residential use.  A Japanese
magnets have two poles.  But for many people, wecompany, Micro Reactor Systems, has recently
don't contemplate magnets in our daily lives, nor areintroduced a window that will self-darken to provide
we even aware of what a large role they play in ourprivacy for the homeowner.  Liquid crystal molecules
world.  Magnet technology has come a long way inare embedded between two thin layers of glass, and
the last few decades.  In today's world, magnetsare polarized to react magnetically when a power
have hundreds of uses, including telecommunications,source is turned on or off.  When the power is
radar systems, computers, satellites, automobiles, andturned off, the glass is translucent.  However, when
more.  We'll explore are few uses of magnets thata low voltage of electricity is turned on, the glass
the average individual might not be aware of.becomes opaque, blocking out light and providing
Most of us know that magnets are used to pick upprivacy.  Though this is a new technology right now
certain types of metal.  Construction companiesand is very expensive, in years to come, it will likely
frequently use large magnets to pick up dangerousbecome quite common in both residential and
metal debris on construction sites.  Sometimes thesecommercial applications.
magnets are high-tech electromagnets andThe uses of magnets are incredibly vast and we
sometimes they are more basic plate magnets thathave learned so much about how to harness their
can be suspended from the front of a vehicle orpowers.  Magnets are already used in the production
forklift.  Vehicle mounted "sweeper" magnets areof almost every product we use.  If you have a cell
also used at new home construction sites.  Forphone or an automobile, you are relying on magnets
example, a roofing company might roll a sweeperfor these items to work.  Magnets are also widely
magnet around a homeowner's yard to pick up anyused in health care.  Almost every major hospital in
stray nails once the roofing job is done.the work has an MRI machine.  This important
Another common industrial use of magnets is inmedical test relies on magnets to show us detailed
conveyor system.  Conveyor magnets can be usedimages of the human body.  It is amazing how much
to remove metal debris from material on a conveyorwe know about magnets, however, it's even more
belt system.  An example of this might be a plasticamazing how much we still have to learn.  Scientists
recycling firm that is moving plastic parts bydiscover new uses for magnets and new information
conveyor to a grinder.  If a small piece of ferrousabout magnetic properties every day.  While we
metal is fed into the grinder, it will dull the grindingcan't predict what new inventions or innovations are
head.  Worse yet, if a larger piece of metal get intocoming, we can be sure that magnets will continue to
the grinder, it will likely break down the entireplay a role in technologies of the future.