Synthesis Laboratory

The Institute of Magnetism has extensive experience in the synthesis of amorphous magnetic materials by ultra-fast cooling , both in the form of  microwires and in the form of ribbons, and of nanocrystalline materials and the manufacture of nanocomposites by mechanical alloying. 

He also has extensive experience in the sol-gel method. The effectiveness of this method is exploited to obtain nanostructured materials in powder and thin film form regardless of their compositional nature. In addition, single-phase materials or composites are obtained on demand, having a control in morphology and particle size due to its great versatility of synthesis parameters.

At the IMA, different chemical strategies are developed with the aim of designing new hyperfunctional materials with multidisciplinary application. Multiferroic materials such as BaTiO₃ substituted with Bi, Fe and Co, and Fe carbides alloyed with Mn and Co, are representative examples. On the other hand, syntheses continue to be optimized to tune the physical properties of all types of ferrites (ZnFe₂ O₄ , CoFe₂ O₄ , MnFe₂ O₄ , ...) as well as iron oxides (α-Fe₂ O₃ , g-Fe₂ O₃ , ε-Fe₂ O₃ and Fe₃Or₄ ).

Sensors Laboratory

 

 

The instrumentation in this laboratory has allowed the development of wireless pressure sensors, useful in biomedical applications.

As a distinctive element, it is worth highlighting two of its own assemblies: Device to analyze the magnetoelastic resonance of magnetic tapes and microwires in the kHz range and a microwave system for studying the responses in GHz of these materials. 

Likewise, this laboratory has instrumentation for thermal treatment in the presence of magnetic field and characterization of soft magnetic materials. For this, different Helmholtz spool designs, solenoids and secondary windings are available, as well as instrumentation (current sources, function generators, lock-in amplifiers, oscilloscopes...)

 

 

Microwave Laboratory

 

 

 

 

Equipped with an anechoic chamber, an Agilent E8362B vector analyzer, waveguides, and antenna sets, it enables reflection and transmission, waveguide, and open space measurements of electromagnetic waves.

At the IMA we have specialized in reflectivity measurements on metallic plates covered with magnetic composites and in scattering measurements of microwaves produced by means of ferromagnetic amorphous wire arrays and modulated by applied magnetic fields.