New film offers magnetic performance

A team at Sheffield University is attempting to develop a magnetic film that could be used in magnetic micro-electromechanical systems (MagMEMS), a technology exploiting the ‘magnetostrictive’ properties of magnetic materials — their ability to change length in a magnetic field.

This property could allow the film to be used in a range of applications, such as magnetic tags for use as heathcare biosensors, for identifying consumer goods, and lab-on-a-chip technology for analysing substances.

The researchers have already achieved proof of principle for using MagMEMS technology for a hearing implant. Dr Nicola Morley, lecturer in the university’s department of engineering materials, has received funding from the EPSRC to investigate making magnetic film from Iron Gallium (Fe-Ga) — potentially the most magnetostrictive alloy yet.

This alloy has only been tested in bulk and Morley believes that if a film can be made from it, it could be a ground-breaking step in the development of MagMEMS.