Ep 21. Magnetic Design

Innovation Nation season 4 episode 21, titled "Magnetic Design," explores the fascinating world of magnetic materials and their endless potential in various applications.

The episode begins with host Mo Rocca taking a trip to the University of Maryland, where he meets Professor John Cumings, who is working on improving the efficiency of energy generation. Cumings and his team have developed a new magnet that is ten times stronger than the current state-of-the-art magnets used in renewable energy plants. The magnet, which is made of rare-earth elements, is also cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Cumings explains how these magnets can increase the power output of wind turbines and other renewable energy sources, making them more economical and sustainable.

The next segment takes us to New York City, where we meet designer and artist Louise Despont. Despont uses magnetic materials to create stunning and intricate drawings and sculptures. She shows us her studio and demonstrates how she uses magnets to arrange and rearrange pieces of paper on her large drawing boards. She also shows us how she creates small sculptures using magnets and metal balls. Despont explains how magnetic materials inspire her work and enable her to create dynamic and interactive pieces.

We then travel to Silicon Valley to meet the founder of Magzet, a company that has invented a new type of magnetic connector for headphones and earbuds. The founder, Chris Peters, explains how traditional audio jacks can be a major inconvenience and can even damage electronics. Magzet's solution is a simple, yet effective, magnetic connector that easily detaches when pulled on, but stays secure during use. Peters shows us how the Magzet technology is being applied to various products, including new and forthcoming headphones and adapters.

Next, we learn about a new type of magnetic material called topological insulators. These materials have unique properties that make them ideal for use in spintronic devices, which could revolutionize the world of computing. Rocca visits the University of Texas at Austin, where Professor Chih-Kang Shih and his team are conducting groundbreaking research on topological insulators. Shih explains how these materials could enable low-power and high-speed data storage and processing, as well as more efficient solar cells.

The final segment takes us to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where we meet a team of researchers who are using magnets to create a new type of robot. The robot, called M-Blocks, consists of individual cubes that can move and connect with one another using magnets. The researchers demonstrate how the blocks can jump, spin, and crawl, and explain how the technology could be used to create self-assembling and self-repairing structures for use in space exploration or disaster relief. They also show us some of the challenges they have faced in developing the technology, such as making the blocks large enough to hold the necessary components while still being small enough to move and connect easily.

Innovation Nation season 4 episode 21, "Magnetic Design," introduces viewers to the incredible versatility and potential of magnetic materials. From renewable energy to art and design to cutting-edge computing and robotics, magnets are proving to be an essential tool for innovation and progress.