China's steady-state strong magnetic field breaks the world record for water-cooled magnets

Steady state strong magnetic field is an extreme experimental condition required for conducting cutting-edge research in material science, which is conducive to scientists discovering new phenomena and studying new laws of matter. This technological breakthrough will provide new avenues and powerful experimental conditions for research in disciplines such as physics, chemistry, materials science, and biology.

On September 22, the water-cooled magnet independently developed by the High Magnetic Field Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei Institute of Material Sciences, generated a steady magnetic field of 420200 gauss (i.e. 42.02 tesla), breaking the world record of 414000 gauss generated by water-cooled magnets of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in 2017, and becoming a new milestone in the development of international high magnetic field water-cooled magnet technology. This is also another major technological breakthrough achieved by the steady-state strong magnetic field experimental device, following the successful creation of a world steady-state magnetic field record of 452200 Gauss by the mixed magnet in 2022.

With the support of the joint scientific research project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Anhui Province, after nearly four years of unremitting efforts, the strong magnetic field technology research team has innovated the magnet structure, optimized the manufacturing process, and finally produced a 420200 gauss steady magnetic field at a power supply of 32.3 megawatts, marking a new peak in the development of strong magnetic field water-cooled magnet technology in China and the world. The successful development of this magnet not only better meets the practical needs of scientific research users for fast regulation of steady-state strong magnetic fields, but also provides powerful experimental conditions for scientists to explore new phenomena and reveal new laws, and lays a key technical foundation for the construction of higher field strength steady-state magnets in China.

This technology, from supporting systems such as power supply and cooling system to key components of water-cooled magnets (such as bitter plates), is independently developed, processed, and assembled on Hefei Science Island, demonstrating China's independent innovation capability in this field.

This technological breakthrough not only demonstrates China's competitiveness and innovation capabilities in the high-tech field, but also provides strong support for global scientific research and industrial manufacturing. At the same time, it has also stimulated further attention and investment from international peers in steady-state strong magnetic field technology, promoting the development of global technological competition and cooperation.