Libor Šmejkal: Breaking the Wall to Quantum Magnets

#FallingWalls #ScienceSummit23 #ScienceBreakthoughs

Before the discovery of altermagnets, researchers studied ferromagnets and antiferromagnets. Ferromagnets are commonly used but suffer energy loss due to resistance when electricity passes through them. Antiferromagnets, where magnetic moments cancel out, also experience energy losses in electronic devices due to electrical resistance. These limitations hindered the efficiency of electronic devices and wasted energy.

The breakthrough with altermagnets lies in their ability to conduct electricity without resistance. This is possible because of their unique electron arrangement and their capability to detect strong quantum mechanical fields. Libor Šmejkal is a research team leader at the Institute of Physics, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, and an associate researcher at the Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences.

At Falling Walls, Šmejkal will delve into his breakthrough of altermagnets—a discovery that has the potential to revolutionise the way we design and use electronic technology, making it much more efficient and sustainable.

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Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year:

The prestigious title is awarded for groundbreaking research in all academic disciplines. Each year, Falling Walls announces one Science Breakthrough in each of the the categories Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Social Sciences & Humanities, Art & Science, Future Learning, Science & Innovation Management, Science Start-Ups (Falling Walls Venture), Science Engagement (Falling Walls Engage) and Emerging Talents (Falling Walls Lab). The bright minds behind the latest Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs and outstanding science projects were nominated by leading academics and academic institutions, research organizations, public and private research centers, universities, companies, foundations, and individuals. On 9 November, the anniversary of the peaceful fall of the Berlin Wall, the Science Breakthroughs of the Year 2022 took up the stage at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin.

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About the Falling Walls Science Summit


Three days of intense scientific discussions, networking, and knowledge sharing in the incredible cosmopolitan city of Berlin!

The Falling Walls Science Summit is a leading international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral forum for scientific breakthroughs and science dialogue between global science leaders and society. The event takes place every year in November in Berlin, commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall. With formats Falling Walls Pitches (7 November), Falling Walls Circle (8 November) and Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year (9 November), the Falling Walls Science Summit is the leading forum for global science leaders from academia, business, politics, the media, and civil society to debate the potential of scientific breakthroughs to solve grand challenges and shape a sustainable future. The Falling Walls Science Summit is organised by the non-profit Falling Walls Foundation.


Falling Walls Foundation: https://falling-walls.com/

Newsletter: https://falling-walls.com/newsletter/


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Save the Date:
FALLING WALLS
SCIENCE SUMMIT
7 – 9 NOV 2024