Materials Science in High Magnetic Fields
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MRS BULLETIN/AUGUST 1993
clude: (1) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for studying structures and physical defects on small scales (fissures in rock structures and defects in radioactive devices, with widespread applications in geology, petroleum prospecting, and safety procedures). MRI applications for advanced medical diagnosis is well known and represents a $10 billion industry for the 1990s; (2) high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for chemical and biological structural analysis, the development of new pharmaceutical products, and environmental research; (3) magnetic levitation for high-speed mass transport (Germany and Japan have already developed 300-mph prototype levitation trains using superconducting magnets); (4) superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) for storing and redistributing electrical power using very-large-scale superconducting magnets; and (5) magnetic separation of ores for isolation of iron ores in the steel industry. Future applications that will be explored using the new facility capabilities include: (1) processing of materials in high magnetic fields where special high-purity systems are of great importance to the semiconductor industry (ultrafast computer chips); (2) magnetic hydrodynamics for propulsion of vehicles in sea water, and generation of power using tidal motions; (3) magnetic bearings to produce longer-lived components for critical parts in machinery, moving parts, and transportation; (4) power devices in space vehicles; (5) ultrasmall, high-speed magnetic memory devices for computer systems; and many other applications. The following articles in this issue of the Bulletin provide a glimpse of some exciting key activities in materials science using high magnetic fields to probe the fundamental nature of materials, and the development of new materials and technologies required to generate high magnetic fields. This research and technology form the founda-
tion for industrial applications. The first article on highly correlated electron systems, with a focus on heavy Fermion compounds and high-temperature superconductors, discusses the role of high magnetic fields in exploring the underlying groundstate of many such materials. The second article on organic superconductors reviews new materials behavior where the competition among superconducting, magnetic, insulating, and metallic states is probed in high magnetic fields in conjunction with pressure, temperature, and chemical formulation. The third article on quantum fluids and solids is directed at new phases of materials in high magnetic fields and very low temperatures. "Science and Techniques Using Pulsed Magnetic Fields" the fourth article, illustrates the critical connection between materials science research and techniques for producing very high magnetic fields. Magnetic fields much above 50 tesla require pulsed magnet technologies, and the promise of new discoveries in this highfield regime is driving advances in pulsed magnetic technology worldwide. Magnetic fields are generated using b
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