Magnetic materials – based magnetic field sensors are used in a wide range of applications in the arketplace. Experiments show that a given material, placed in a magnetic field to be magnetized, is magnetizable to varying degrees. [Details]

Spintronics is the new science of computers and memory chips that are based on electron spin rather than (or in addition to) the charge (used in electronics). Spintronics is an exciting field that holds promise to build faster and more efficient computers and other devices. [Details]

Four generations of magnetic sensing technology: 1st Generation: Hall Effect Sensor; 2nd Generation: AMR (Anisotropic Magneto Resistance) Sensor; 3rd Generation: GMR (Giant Magneto Resistance) Sensor; 4th Generation: TMR (Tunneling Magneto Resistance) Sensor. [Details]

In 1975, Julliere observed the TMR effect in the Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) sandwich structure (Co / Ge / Fe). The MTJ basic structure is (ferromagnetic / nonmagnetic insulating layer / ferromagnetic) or (FM / I / FM). However, this finding did not attract a lot of attention. Progress was gradual on the TMR effect over the next decade or so. The Spin-Dependent Tunneling (SDT) effect is the physical mechanism of the resistance change that one measures as TMR. [Details]

Today's smartphones are incredible little machines – ones that would have been regarded as witchcraft several decades ago. But we've grown so used to our iPhones and Android handsets that take them for granted even though there's so much cool technology packed into them. Take their sensors for example. Do you know how many different kinds go inside a smartphone? [Details]