Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered that applying a small amount of pressure can dramatically alter the magnetic properties of a promising new class of materials called altermagnets. Using neutron experiments, the researchers uncovered how a simple mechanical squeeze can change the way these materials behave, offering a potential new approach to controlling magnetism.

The results, reported in two consecutive studies published in Physical Review X and Advanced Materials , show that mechanical strain can influence both magnetic structures and the movement of electrons. This ability could provide a straightforward way to control materials being investigated for advanced electronic technologies.

Why Altermagnets Matter for Future Electronics

One particularly promising application involves spintronics, short for spin electronics.…