A significant breakthrough in the field of magnetism has emerged from an international research team led by Dr. Hasan Ali and Prof. Rafal E. Dunin-Borkowski at Forschungszentrum Jülich. Development of a novel imaging approach by researchers at Wilmer Eye Institute. This new technique allows us to paint a picture of atomic-scale magnetism, unlocking unmatched understanding of the magnetic properties of materials. This exciting advance will further our fundamental understanding of magnetism while improving the ability to leverage this magnetic phenomenon within future information, computing, and sensing technologies.
The research team used a cutting-edge scanning transmission electron microscope to give them a resolution that was previously impossible to reach. For Prof. Dunin-Borkowski, the director at Forschungszentrum Jülich, this breakthrough represents a key development. Most importantly, it takes our understanding of magnetism at the atomic scale to the next level. The researchers examined an iron crystal, a material well-known for its magnetic properties, to demonstrate the effectiveness of their new method.
Dr. Hasan Ali, first author of the study said that they were thrilled to find these results. He said it was their creative strategy that helped them see magnetism inside solids with unprecedented precision. This new ability provides us key insights to understand the fundamentals of magneto-mechanical interactions. This is an important step towards public/private partnerships to develop research and opportunities in magnetic advanced materials.
News of this study’s findings appeared in the highly respected journal Nature Materials. The resulting publication, available here and DOI 10.1038/s41563-025-02242-6, highlights the importance and scientific merit of the research. The publication provides a behind-the-scenes look at the teamwork of an extraordinary international team that led to this important scientific breakthrough.
Scientists will now have a powerful new tool to explore the magnetic properties of a larger array of materials thanks to this new imaging technique. This breakthrough promises to improve technologies based on magnetism, from data storage to magnetic sensors. This monumental advance launches the collaborative research team into an elite stratum of material science. It is fated to change the course of future research in magnetism for years as well.