Magnetic minerals
Magnetic minerals are minerals of naturally occurring magnetic properties. They can manifest purely magnetic properties such as ferromagnetism or in complex form as in magne-torquie crystals. Magnetic minerals have been studied and used for thousands of years because of their unique properties. Because of the variety of occurrences and forms in which magnetic minerals occur, they can have a range of practical uses in industry, medicine and research.
Magnetic minerals have been known since ancient times and were used for decorative, ornaments and talismans. Even today, many cultures use specific objects or talismans that contain some form of magnetic minerals because of their perceived properties and healing properties.
Magnetic minerals are divided into two categories based on their magnetic properties - ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic. Ferromagnetic materials exhibit a permanent magnetic field, while superparamagnetic materials only maintain a magnetic field while they are exposed to a magnetic external field. Superparamagnetic materials have a much lower degree of magnetism than ferromagnetic materials, making them more suitable for applications where low magnetic fields are required.
Ferromagnetic materials are made up of iron or other elements that naturally form a permanent magnetic field. Examples of ferromagnetic minerals are magnetite, Fe3O4 and hematite, which are found in certain igneous rocks. Magnetite is the most widely studied mineral of this type as it has a variety of industrial and scientific uses, including in medical applications.
Superparamagnetic materials usually contain rare earth elements such as cerium, dysprosium and neodymium, which can form nanostructured magnets. These magnets usually demonstrate lower magnetic fields and hence are suitable for more sensitive applications. They are used in a range of end-user markets such as electronics, energy storage, biomedical and automotive.
Magnetic minerals can also find useful applications in magnetic recording media, This application involves a tiny layer of magnetic material being deposited on a recording medium. The recorded information is then accessed by a tiny reader which reads the magnetic lines on the media. This technology is widely used in magneto-optical discs and hard disks.
Magnetic minerals also have potential applications in technology such as magnetic refrigeration or superconducting magnets. Here, a large and powerful magnet is used to produce a very low temperature. This technology could be used in a range of applications, from industry to medicine.
Moreover, magnetic minerals have potential applications in the pharmaceutical sector, where a magnetic field can be used to control drug delivery. By using magnetic force, researchers can target drugs to specific cells or areas of the body. By using magnetic forces, researchers can also achieve more precise manipulation of molecules.
In conclusion, magnetic minerals have a range of useful applications in industry, research and medicine. The different forms in which magnetic minerals can occur and their properties mean that they can be adapted to specific applications, depending on their magnetic field intensity and composition. The development of new materials, such as superparamagnetic and nanostructured magnets, further expands the range of possible uses for these minerals.
