2019 News

24 June 2019

Florida State researchers working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo found a link between the churning of deep soils during deforestation and the release of carbon dioxide through streams and rivers.

Tropical soil disturbance could be hidden source of carbon dioxide

Using powerful instruments at the National MagLab, scientists discovered that older dissolved organics from deforested areas were more energy-rich, and potentially more harmful to the planet.

18 June 2019

Left: Copper-oxide layers of LBCO, Right: The stripes of magnetism and charge in the cuprate (copper and oxygen) layers of the superconductor LBCO.

Electron (or 'Hole') pairs may survive effort to kill superconductivity

Emergence of unusual metallic state supports role of "charge stripes" in formation of charge-carrier pairs essential to resistance-free flow of electrical current.

12 June 2019

This little coil, about the size of an empty toilet tissue roll, helped scientists achieve a new world record for a continuous magnetic field, 45.5 teslas. The coil was wound using a superconductor called rare earth barium copper oxide (REBCO), then wrapped with white fiberglass tape.

With mini magnet, National MagLab creates world-record magnetic field

The compact coil could lead to a new generation of magnets for biomedical research, nuclear fusion reactors and many applications in between.

31 May 2019

MagLab physicists Ryan Baumbach (left) and Kaya Wei study a class of materials with promising thermoelectric properties.

Scientists discover thermoelectric properties in promising class of materials

In a crystalline structure that locks a heavy atom in a metal cage, scientists find a key to materials that can turn heat into electricity, and vice versa.

22 May 2019

Physicist Mikhail Eremets (pictured here at the National MagLab) led his team to the discovery of superconductivity at a record-high temperature in lanthanum hydride, a so-called "superhydride."

"Superhydride" shows superconductivity at record-warm temperature

In a hydrogen-packed compound squeezed to ultra-high pressures, scientists have observed electrical current with zero resistance tantalizingly close to room temperature.

11 April 2019

MagLab Research Assistant Abigail Centers (left) with her MagLab mentor Julia Smith. Centers was named Student Employee of the Year by the Southern Association of Student Employment Administrators.

Student employee recognized for excellence with regional award

A young computer programmer was surprised by not one, but two awards for building systems crucial to running the lab's magnets.

9 April 2019

MagLab scientist Tim Cross, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Florida State University, has been named the university’s 2019-2020 Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor.

MagLab chemist receives high honor from Florida State

Lab veteran Tim Cross has been named 2019-2020 Lawton Distinguished Professor by his peers.

28 March 2019

National MagLab researcher Sam Grant (above) and Dr. Michael Harrington from Huntington Medical Research Institutes used the world’s strongest MRI magnet to show how sodium distribution changes in the brain during migraines.

Researchers discover sodium-migraine link before pain occurs

Findings clarify the role of sodium increase early in migraines and point to the region where symptoms may start.

28 March 2019

The FIB microscope will allow materials science researchers to slice through minuscule material samples and collect images of their structures.

High-performance microscope will take research to next level

State-of-the-art instrument will be used in materials and next-generation magnet research.

27 March 2019

Geochemists Seth Young (left) and Jeremy Owens with the MagLab's Thermo elemental analyzer and isotope ratio mass spectrometer, which measured sulfur isotopes in their samples. Their data made clear the connections between historic changes in ocean oxygen levels and mass extinction of marine organisms.

In ancient oceans, oxygen loss triggered mass extinction

In findings that could shed light on current climate changes, researchers find conclusive evidence linking rising sea levels and lowering oxygen levels to decimation of marine species.

25 February 2019

Stromatolite in Shark Bay, Western Australia. These stromatolites are thought to be some of the most ancient forms of life on Earth and are comprised of organisms that probably contributed to the O2 scientists are inferring existed on ancient Earth (i.e., cyanobacteria).

Ancient rocks provide clues about Earth's early history

MagLab data provide compelling evidence that extensive oxygenation took place in the ocean millions of years before the atmosphere’s “Great Oxidation Event.”