While 2017 has been huge for magnetic inventions and discoveries, it has also been a banner year for magnet-related news in general. From a possible alien structure 1,500 light years away to some magnetically mind-controlled mice, 2017 has been a wild ride for magnet news! Here are a few of our favorite stories from the past year:
Scientists are always exploring the far reaches of our universe, yet we’ve really only seen a small portion of it. Luckily, that means there are always new things to discover! This past year, something scientists assumed to be a star located in the Cygnus constellation was observed as to no be a star at all. Could it be an alien creation? The object, named KIC 8462852, was observed having “irregularly shaped, aperiodic dips in flux.” This bizarre activity is believed to originate from its inner magnetic field. This movement is rather abnormal for celestial bodies. While probably not an alien structure, it’s still a fascinating discovery!
We’ve certainly talked about the Hyperloop before. A newly proposed Hyperloop Hotel will have locations in cities around the country like New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, and others. Instead of hopping on a plane or perhaps the Hyperloop to travel from your Boston hotel to one in Washington DC, your entire hotel room would simply take you there! Have your breakfast in you NYC hotel room and be in LA in time for a dinner meeting. This could revolutionize travel. Think of how comfortable you’ll be, zipping across the country from the comfort of an entire hotel room.
Using a technique known as magneto-thermal stimulation, scientists discovered they can create a digital, interactive map of a mouse’s brain. Targeting the right neurons can result in manipulating the mouse’s behavior. While the implications of these might seem worrisome, don’t worry. The technology has its limitations and the scientists have only been able to get the mice to run, stop, and turn around. This is a very cool advance in technology but what could this mean for the future of mind control?
If you’re a beer drinker, you’ve probably experienced the frustration of pouring yourself a tasty brew just to have it overflow onto the table. However, magnets are here to save the day. Scientists have figured out a method using magnets to stop the overflow caused by fungi infecting the barley grains. Applying a magnetic field to a malt infused with hops extract caused the anti-foaming agent to disperse into smaller particles, increasing its effectiveness. Science and beer, we can’t think of a better pair.While this year was great, we’re looking forward to 2018 and all of the magnetic revelations sure to come our way. We know they won’t disappoint. To stay on top of all magnet-related news in 2018 and beyond, be sure to follow along on our blog.
