Basic Research
MAIN LINES OF RESEARCH
As a result of a high degree of internal collaboration, each IMA researcher participates in several of our research lines in materials and fields. Research programs combine cutting-edge oriented fundamental research on topics that lie at the frontiers of knowledge, with applied research transferable to many of our partner companies.
Magnetic nanoparticles
The line of research in magnetic nanoparticles, obtained by chemical or physical methods, has a great tradition at the IMA. Interesting studies have been carried out related to the influence of particle size and / or their functionalization on their magnetic properties. The IMA was a pioneer in magnetic hyperthermia research carried out in collaboration with biologists.
Amorphous magnetic microwires
Since its creation in 1989, the IMA has dedicated part of its research to the manufacture and study of the magnetic properties of amorphous materials (tapes, threads and microwires) obtained by ultra-fast cooling techniques. These materials are magnetically soft due to the absence of magnetocrystalline anisotropy and, for some compositions, exhibit gnetoelastic anisotropy. In any of their geometries, their scaling has been possible and they are known for their multiple applications. The IMA has investigated the properties of magnetic microwires (MM) at high frequencies, highlighting its magnetoelastic resonance studies for the development of biosensors (my paper) and magnetoimpedance in GHz (papers) from which it has been shown how it is possible to detect a remote thread and with them develop a security label (patent) or develop a sensor for post-operative follow-up in ARD (tesispaper) or a security label detectable at a great distance (patent). Likewise, MM have proven to be the perfect inclusions to develop microwave absorbent paints, giving rise to a spin-off company for their commercialization (Micromag).
Magnetic nanocrystals
Controlling the composition of amorphous alloys makes it possible to obtain nanocrystalline microstructures by heat treatments. In this way, the magnetocrystalline anisotropy is averaged, obtaining materials with very high magnetic permeabilities and extremely low coercive fields. This type of sample has proven to be the perfect setting for exchange interaction studies (ref Antonio). Likewise, the material obtained by mechanical grinding of nanocrystalline ribbons has been used in the European projects Nanopyme and Amphibian) to manufacture composites with Sr ferrites, it has been found to present a high value of the energy product (BHmax).