Chinese scientists have achieved a new global benchmark by successfully generating a stable magnetic field measuring 35.1 Tesla using an advanced superconducting magnet. This groundbreaking development, announced by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, creates a magnetic field that is an astonishing 700,000 times more powerful than Earth`s. Such an innovation holds vast potential for various cutting-edge applications, including propulsion systems for spacecraft, high-speed maglev trains, and controlled nuclear fusion reactors.
The pioneering superconducting magnet was developed through a collaborative effort involving researchers from several prominent institutions. Key contributors included the Institute of Plasma Physics at the Hefei Institute of Physical Science, the Hefei International Center for Applied Superconductivity, the Institute of Energy Research within the Hefei National Comprehensive Science Center, and Tsinghua University.
“The magnet was successfully energized to 35.1 Tesla (a unit for magnetic flux density), maintaining stable operation for 30 minutes before being safely demagnetized. This demonstrates the robust reliability of this technological solution and establishes a crucial platform for diverse experimental research,” stated the Chinese Academy of Sciences on its official website.
To achieve this exceptionally powerful magnetic field, the research team employed an innovative design: they strategically placed a high-temperature superconducting magnet within the core of a low-temperature one. This sophisticated configuration significantly improved the magnet`s mechanical stability and its electromagnetic characteristics, ensuring optimal performance even under demanding operational conditions.
According to reports from the South China Morning Post, this new superconducting magnet now holds the world record, surpassing the previous best of 32.35 Tesla, which was also set by Chinese scientists in 2019.
The newspaper further emphasized the immense strength of this technological marvel, pointing out that Earth`s natural magnetic field is only around 0.00005 Tesla, while a powerful superconducting magnet used in medical MRI scans typically registers about 3 Tesla. This new development has a wide array of potential applications wherever extremely strong magnetic fields are required. These include advanced electromagnetic engines for aerospace vehicles, highly efficient energy transmission systems, breakthroughs in nuclear fusion research, improved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment, and revolutionary maglev transportation systems.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth