JQI Researchers Create ‘Synthetic Magnetic Fields’ for Neutral Atoms
 Achieving an important new capability in ultracold atomic gases, researchers at the Joint Quantum Institute, a collaboration of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Maryland, have created “synthetic” magnetic fields for ultracold gas atoms, in effect “tricking” neutral atoms into acting as if they are electrically charged particles subjected to a real magnetic field. The demonstration not only paves the way for exploring the complex natural phenomena involving charged particles in magnetic fields, but may also contribute to an exotic new form of quantum computing.
As researchers have become increasingly proficient at creating and manipulating gaseous collections of atoms near absolute zero, these ultracold gases have become ideal laboratories for studying the complex behavior of material systems. Unlike usual crystalline materials, they are free of obfuscating properties, such as impurity atoms, that exist in normal solids and liquids. However, studying the effects of magnetic fields is problematic because the gases are made of neutral atoms and so do not respond to magnetic fields in the same way as charged particles do. So how would you simulate, for example, such important exotic phenomena as the quantum Hall effect, in which electrons can “divide” into quasiparticles carrying only a fraction of the electron’s electric charge?
 The answer Ian Spielman and his colleagues came up with is a clever physical trick to make the neutral atoms behave in a way that is mathematically identical to how charged particles move in a magnetic field. A pair of laser beams illuminates an ultracold gas of rubidium atoms already in a collective state known as a Bose-Einstein condensate. The laser light ties the atoms' internal energy to their external (kinetic) energy, modifying the relationship between their energy and momentum. Simultaneously, the researchers expose the atoms to a real magnetic field that varies along a single direction, so that the alteration also varies along that direction. In a strange inversion, the laser-illuminated neutral atoms react to the varying magnetic field in a way that is mathematically equivalent to the way a charged particle responds to a uniform magnetic field. The neutral atoms experience a force in a direction perpendicular to both their direction of motion and the direction of the magnetic field gradient in the trap. By fooling the atoms in this fashion, the researchers created vortices in which the atoms swirl in whirlpool-like motions in the gas clouds. The vortices are the “smoking gun,” Spielman says, for the presence of synthetic magnetic fields.
Previously, other researchers had physically spun gases of ultracold atoms to simulate the effects of magnetic fields, but rotating gases are unstable and tend to lose atoms at the highest rotation rates. In their next step, the JQI researchers plan to partition a nearly spherical system of 20,000 rubidium atoms into a stack of about 100 two-dimensional “pancakes” and increase their currently observed 12 vortices to about 200 per-pancake. At a one-vortex-per-atom ratio, they could observe the quantum Hall effect and control it in unprecedented ways. In turn, they hope to coax atoms to behave like a class of quasiparticles known as “non-abelian anyons,” a required component of “topological quantum computing,” in which anyons dancing in the gas would perform logical operations based on the laws of quantum mechanics. |
 Bodine Electric Upgrades their High-Torque CG Gearmotor
Bodine Electric Company has upgraded and expanded its Type-CG variable speed AC inverter-duty and permanent magnet DC gearmotors. The CG gearmotors are designed for applications such as heavy-duty conveyor systems, medical equipment, food processing and factory automation, where long life and high load capacity are critical.
The CG gearhead is paired with Bodine’s most powerful variable speed electric motors, the 48R6, AC inverter-duty, and 42A7 permanent magnet DC motors. This integral gearmotor design allows the CG to deliver up to 1,000 lb-in. of torque, which is nearly twice the torque of any previous Bodine product.
The CG gearmotor features a solid, aluminum cast gearhousing. It can be face-mounted in virtually any position, or mounted with a rigid base. Extra heavy-duty bearings and seals provide reliable operation and long life. Inside the gearhead three-stage, selectively hardened gearing and high performance lubricant insure quiet operation and high output torque. New DC accessory-ready models can be fitted with encoders, other feedback devices, or brakes.
The AC and DC models are the first of Bodine’s product line to be available through their new Quick Delivery program. This program is designed to ship customer orders in small order quantities within two to three working days. Products will be maintained in stock or assembled to order via a quick-turn production cell. Larger order quantities will require lead-time. Expedited delivery options are also available.
 Power Integrations Releases New Version of PI Expert Power Supply Design Software
Power Integrations has launched Version 7.1.5 of its PI Expert power supply design software. Available now for free download from the Power Integrations website, this revision of the design tool includes a number of enhancements:
- Provides improved support for Power Integrations’ HiperPLC controller IC for offline resonant converters.
- The software permits the designer to choose from a variety of magnetic core materials and sizes for both for the LLC and PFC stages.
- The design spreadsheet allows for transformer design optimization for improved efficiency.
- Accurately calculates the external resistor (REXT) required to reduce no-load consumption in designs using PI’s LinkSwitchâ-II and LinkSwitch-CV product families in flyback topologies.
- Expands the Help feature to include traditional Chinese language support.
“Design engineers are increasingly challenged to optimize their power supply circuitry for efficiency, performance, and size,” said Peter Vaughan, director of applications engineering at Power Integrations. “New efficiency standards are very demanding and do not allow any margin for less-than-optimal circuit design and component selection. We are constantly refining PI Expert to ensure that it addresses the latest industry demands, allowing design engineers to deliver efficient power supplies that are right first time.”
PI Expert Suite v7.1.5 is available now on the Power Integrations website at www.powerint.com/pi-expert.
 Murata Enters Large Form Factor Power Inductor Market
Murata Electronics North America, a supplier of ceramic passive components, has introduced the new LQH88P_38 series of power inductors, marking Murata's entrance into the large form factor power inductor market. The inductors support up to an 8 A rated current and measure 8 mm by 8 mm with a low profile of 3.8 mm. This new inductor series is designed for DC-DC converters that are utilized in flat screen televisions, set-top boxes, digital recording devices, wireless base stations and other electronic applications.
"The new inductors' advanced design saves valuable space and can easily replace larger inductors without compromising performance," said Deryl Kimbro, group product manager for Murata Electronics North America. "Also, these efficient inductors position Murata as a key player in the large form factor power inductor market and expand Murata's customer base as well as potential applications."
In addition to the space-saving design, the LQH88P_38 series includes excellent DC bias current characteristics and low DC resistance (down to 0.006 Ohms). Murata also designed the series with a ferrite resin coating to magnetically shield the inductors and prevent interference with other devices and circuits. The LQH88P_38 series comes in inductance values between 1.0 µH and 100 µH and high rated current parts are also available.
The LQH88P_38 series sample price is $0.220 and the lead-time is approximately eight weeks. |
NEMA Publishes ANSI/NEMA MW 1000-2008, Revision 1-2009 Magnet Wire
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association has published ANSI/NEMA MW 1000-2008, Revision 1-2009 Magnet Wire. MW 1000, produced by NEMA’s Magnet Wire Section, is the premier standards publication for general requirements, product specifications, and test procedures for magnet wire. This revision updates MW 1000-2008, which was published in March 2009.
The revised publication features significant updates, including:
- Substantive changes to several test procedures in order to better define the equipment, materials, or test conditions that these procedures specify. Amended tests include the bond strength test procedure, the transformer oil resistance and hydrolytic stability test, and the high voltage continuity test
- New Appendix E, “General Rules for Rectangular Wire Dimensions”
- New definitions
- Reorganized table of requirements for bare rectangular wire
- Updated requirements and specifications
“The Magnet Wire Section has consistently worked to improve MW 1000, keeping pace with changes in manufacturing technology and user needs,” said Don Barta, chair of the Magnet Wire Technical Committee, and manager, product/polymer engineering at Rea Magnet Wire Company. “This latest collaboration of industry experts has resulted in this necessary and beneficial update for magnet wire stakeholders.”
The contents and scope of MW 1000 may be viewed, or a hardcopy or electronic copy purchased for $99, by visiting http://www.nema.org/stds/mw1000.cfm. For more information about NEMA MW 1000-2008, its comparison to IEC winding wire standards, and to keep track of revisions, visit www.MW1000.us.
 Mouser Expands Globally with Cooper Bussmann
Mouser Electronics, Inc. has announced the global expansion of its distribution agreement with Cooper Bussmann, a producer of circuit protection devices.
The new agreement greatly increases Mouser’s reach with Cooper Bussmann, from the Americas only to the worldwide stage, with a wide variety of Cooper Bussmann branded fuses and ESD suppressors, Coiltronics branded magnetic (inductors and transformers) and PowerStor branded coin cell and cylindrical supercapacitors. The global territorial expansion fits well into Mouser’s strategy for expansion into the international market. In addition to branch locations in North America, Mouser has aggressively added customer service centers throughout Asia and Europe, in cities such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Munich, and most recently High Wycombe, UK. Along with their local customer service centers, Mouser offers 39 country specific websites with multiple languages and the ability to complete transactions in 22 different currencies.
“Expanding our relationship with Cooper Bussmann provides easy access to Cooper Bussmann’s innovative products for our extensive global customer base,” said Keith Privett, Mouser vice president Interconnect, Electromechanical, Power and Test. “As we continue to invest in local markets around the world; it is great that Cooper Bussmann views these investments as an opportunity for mutual growth.”
 Eriez 5-Star Service Center Maintains Magnetic Strength of Wet Drum Separators with Repairs and Upgrades
Restoring older Wet Drum Separators to their previous magnetic strength can now be handled through Eriez’ 5-Star Service Center, which is located in Lake City, PA., and is staffed with trained service technicians to expertly handle even the toughest service projects.
There are two distinct applications for Wet Drum Magnetic Separators. One application is the recovery of magnetite or ferrosilicon in a heavy media process. The other is the concentration and recovery of magnetite from iron ore. Over time, Wet Drum Separators used in harsh industrial environments lose their magnetic efficiency, but it can be restored with proper maintenance.
To keep the magnetic power at an optimum level, the Eriez 5-Star Service Center now offers a comprehensive maintenance program for Wet Drum Separators. Portions of the maintenance program include:
- Perform a visual inspection of shell, hubs, bearings and shaft end
- Remove hubs to inspect the magnetic element for damage
- Upgrade magnetic element and replace shell, if necessary
- Test the wet drum separator and ship back to customer
“Our team is ready to do whatever it takes to address customers’ issues and limit costly downtime of their Wet Drums,” said Jim Lasko, Eriez 5-Star Service Center Manager. “We utilize original OEM parts, remanufacture equipment to original specifications and offer ‘as new’ warranties.”
Eriez also has service technicians available for in-house repairs and routine maintenance checks. “We understand that sending the equipment to our 5-Star Service Center is not always a viable option, so Eriez will come to you, even on short notice,” said Dave Hansen, Eriez Customer Service Manager.
Besides Wet Drum Separators, the 5-Star Service Center upgrades and maintains other Eriez equipment, including Eddy Currents, Suspended Electromagnets, Scrap Drums, Vibratory Feeders, Lift Magnets and Metal Detectors.
Reportlinker Adds Magnetic Materials - A Worldwide Market Review
Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue titled, Magnetic Materials - A Worldwide Market Review.
Magnetic materials are ubiquitous in the present electronic-based economy. Nations around the world have shown consistent interest in the use of magnetic materials in a varied range of temperature and environmental conditions. Evolution of new end-use applications and consistent demand from key end-use markets such as automotives, industrial/consumer electronics, data storage, military/aerospace, medical, power generation, and telecommunications led to the development of highly advanced magnetic materials and diverse applications areas. Innovative materials with improved functionalities and a multitude of applications are additionally expected to boost demand.
These and other market data and trends are presented in Magnetic Materials: A Worldwide Market Review by BizAcumen, Inc.
For more information visit:
http://www.reportlinker.com/p0164539/Magnetic-Materials---A-Worldwide-Market-Review.html
Lord Corp. Awarded Contract for Evaluation of MR Suspension System on HMMWV
Lord Corp. has received a contract from the US Army Materiel Command for the test and evaluation of their proprietary Magneto-Rheological (MR) semi-active suspension systems for the HMMWV.
The scope of work includes the integration, testing and evaluation of Lord 's MR active damping technology for a suspension system on a M1152 HMMWV. This system will incorporate Lord 's latest refinements with respect to the magneto-rheological controllable damping system. The objective is to determine the impact of a matured Lord MR Semi-Active Suspension System (MR Suspension) on the HMMWV with respect to performance, cost, space-claim, weight and feasibility of retrofit to the family of legacy HMMWV vehicles.
On- and off-road as well as durability testing will be conducted by a third-party and will include the evaluation of half-round, various profiled Root Means Square (RMS) courses, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) lane change maneuvers. Following the performance tests, Lord will provide maintenance support during the vehicle testing of the MR suspension system hardware, which will be subjected to endurance tests of the MR suspension system per the vehicle mission profile and as defined in the vehicle specification.
Lord 's MR suspension systems have already been demonstrated as original and retrofit equipment for various military and commercial utility vehicles. Current projects include work with the US government and vehicle OEMs on several vehicle platforms including the FMTV and MRAP. According to Steve Hildebrand, Lord Engineering Manager for MR suspension systems, Lord MR suspension systems are well-suited for a wide range of military applications, from lightweight tactical vehicles to line-haul tractors and heavy MRAP vehicles.
"These systems have already been demonstrated on a wide variety of military vehicles and the results are positive. Vehicles outfitted with our system experience less wear and tear, leading to longer vehicle life without reducing fuel efficiency. Our product enables greater stability and vehicle body control, allowing increased safety for the driver and occupants, and significantly improved ride quality," said Hildebrand.
Unlike traditional passive suspensions with fixed characteristics, Lord 's controllable MR suspension systems react nearly instantaneously to both changes in terrain and vehicle dynamic maneuvers, allowing the suspension to adapt its characteristics to the situation. This provides improved dynamic stability over passively damped systems, providing significant benefits. The system includes a controller, dampers, sensors, and software that can be tuned to optimize the vehicle's performance.
In response to market interest for their MR suspension system, Lord recently completed the expansion of a 1,000-square-foot production cell within their Cambridge Springs, Pa. plant. The cell is believed to be the first of its kind related to heavy-duty MR dampers for military and heavy trucks in the world.
New Rare Earth Resource Results Announced by US Rare Earths, Inc.
US Rare Earths, Inc. has released the results from its summer 2009 exploration and development program at Diamond Creek, Idaho. Total rare earths were measured as high as 4.7 percent. The average concentration of total rare earths from a number of samples from one of the larger veins was approximately 3 percent. Relatively high concentrations of individual rare earths of both the yttrium-heavy rare earth group and the cerium-light rare earth group were also measured with approximate concentrations of yttrium occurring as high as 0.36 percent, cerium measured approximately 2 percent, lanthanum approximately 1 percent, neodymium as high as 1.4 percent, praseodymium as high as 0.30 percent, samarium as high as 0.38 percent, europium as high as 0.08 percent, gadolinium as high as 0.20 percent, terbium as high as 0.03 percent, and dysprosium as high as 0.11 percent.
Based on the survey information in the most recent USGS report released September 2009, US Rare Earths, Inc. owns the mineral rights to one of the two largest resources and reserves of rare earth elements (REEs) in the US.
“According to the USGS report, the company’s ore bodies contain enough accessible and minable lanthanum, neodymium, dysprosium, terbium and europium to make the US independent from reliance on foreign suppliers,” said Edward Cowle, president and CEO of US Rare Earths, Inc. “The USGS report notes that US Rare Earths, Inc.’s rare earth element deposits show high levels of neodymium, which can be viewed as the most critical rare earth metal for the vital high performance permanent magnets used in computer hard drives and emerging 'green technology' applications, such as direct drive wind turbines and the motors and generators used in electric vehicles."
In an interview with Mr. Cowle and with Jack Lifton, an independent resource analyst and Editor of the Jack Lifton Report (www.jackliftonreport.com), published on November 18, 2009, Gareth Hatch, Ph.D., Editor of the Terra Magnetica blog (www.terramagnetica.com) and Director of Technology for Dexter Magnetic Technologies, Inc., asked Mr. Lifton if he would address the key characteristics of US Rare Earths, Inc.’s deposits. Some of Mr. Lifton’s observations regarding Diamond Creek were:
“The Diamond Creek property is the most accessible, undeveloped rare earth resource that there is in North America today.”
“The fact that the Diamond Creek deposits are 4 percent with a significant amount of heavy rare earths, places them, in my opinion, right in the forefront of the world rare earth deposits.”
“The best place to focus now is Diamond Creek.”
The USGS now recognizes US Rare Earth Inc.’s deposits in Idaho, Colorado and Montana as one of only five proven substantial deposits of REEs in the world outside of mainland China or Chinese control. |
“After decades of reengineering, corporate rationalizations and the “offshoring” of manufacturing and innovation, the US is devoid of the entire value chain for producing fully dense rare earth permanent magnets,” said 
With magnetics materials in tight supply, selecting the appropriate magnet for your new product is critical. Hear from expert consultant, 
Magnetics 2010
Download a PDF Copy of the 