Recent Progress in Smart Magnetic Materials: Synthesis, Characterization, and Multifunctional Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Smart magnetic materials have gained significant attention due to their unique magnetic properties and potential applications in various fields such as biomedicine, energy harvesting, data storage, and sensors. In recent years, there has been considerable progress in the synthesis and characterization of smart magnetic materials, leading to the development of multifunctional materials with enhanced properties.

One area of recent progress has been the synthesis of core-shell magnetic nanoparticles, which have a magnetic core surrounded by a shell that can provide additional functionality such as biocompatibility or catalytic activity. These materials can be used for targeted drug delivery or as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging.

Another area of progress is the development of magnetic shape memory alloys, which exhibit a shape memory effect under the influence of a magnetic field. These materials have potential applications in sensors, actuators, and energy-harvesting devices.

In terms of characterization, there has been a focus on using advanced techniques such as X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy to understand the structure and properties of smart magnetic materials at the nanoscale.

Thus, in the family of soft magnetic materials, a glassy-like structure is essentially relevant for the realization of the unique combination of physical properties, such as excellent magnetic softness, and good mechanical and anti-corrosive properties. Such a glassy-like structure can be obtained if the quenching rate, achieved during the melt quenching, is high enough. The discovery of the giant magneto-impedance (GMI) effect in amorphous soft magnetic materials makes them extremely attractive for a broad range of sensor applications.

Multifunctional applications of smart magnetic materials have also been explored, such as the development of magnetic nanocomposites for wastewater treatment, magnetic hyperthermia for cancer treatment, and magnetic refrigeration for energy-efficient cooling.

Overall, recent progress in smart magnetic materials has opened exciting possibilities for the development of new materials with enhanced properties and multifunctional applications.

This Special Issue will focus on the recent research progress on micro- and nanoscale magnetic materials prepared in different physical forms (micro- and nanowires, magnetic assembly, nanoparticles, nanostructured thin films and ribbons) and approaches towards the development of smart magnetic materials for multifunctional applications. Potential topics for this issue include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

• Synthesis approaches;
• Magnetic characterization;
• Nano- and micro technologies;
• Nano and microsensors;
• Magnetic materials, micro- and nanowires.
• 2D and 3D nanostructured thin films;
• Magnetic assembly materials;
• Magnetic ribbons and their advanced processing;
• Magnetic sensor arrays and systems;
• Novel and smart magnetic materials for sensor applications;
• Smart composite materials with magnetic inclusions;
• Amorphous and nanostructured magnetic materials;
• Applications of smart magnetic materials.

Dr. Mohamed Salaheldeen
Prof. Dr. Arcady Zhukov
Guest Editors

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