Researchers Discover Superatoms With Magnetic Shells

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Researchers Discover Superatoms With Magnetic Shells

ScienceDaily (June 8, 2011) — A team of Virginia Commonwealth University scientists has discovered a new class of 'superatoms' -- a stable cluster of atoms that can mimic different elements of the periodic table -- with unusual magnetic characteristics.

The superatom contains magnetized magnesium atoms, an element traditionally considered as non-magnetic. The metallic character of magnesium along with infused magnetism may one day be used to create molecular electronic devices for the next generation of faster processors, larger memory storage and quantum computers.

In a study published online in the Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team reports that the newly discovered cluster consisting of one iron and eight magnesium atoms acts like a tiny magnet that derives its magnetic strength from the iron and magnesium atoms. The combined unit matches the magnetic strength of a single iron atom while preferentially allowing electrons of specific spin orientation to be distributed throughout the cluster...

I read a lot at Science Daily, a lot more than I post here. It never ceases to astound me how institutionalised curiosity (science) continues to advance our understanding of the world around us while institutionalised superstitions (religions) do the exact opposite.