Achievement

All materials are magnetic -- the magnetic response can range from weakly diamagnetic to strongly ferromagnetic -- and everyone uses technology based on magnetism, from low-tech motors and refrigerator magnets to high-tech hard-disk drives with their spectacular performance. Magnetic materials exhibit a rich variety of scientific phenomenon that illuminate important basic concepts in physics and chemistry, yet nonspecialists are rarely exposed to more than the shallowest discussion of magnetism and magnetic materials. This year, Prof. Bruce van Dover offered an interdisciplinary introduction to the basic phenomena of magnetism as part of the IGERT modular course. This was followed by a survey of important magnetic materials and their properties. Students at Norfolk State University were included in the lectures via videoconferencing. Cornell participants were also given a hands-on introduction to magnetic measurements using a state-of-the-art SQUID magnetometer.