Pyrite is a naturally diamagnetic iron mineral, which means it becomes magnetized in the presence of a magnetic field -- but its magnetic charge is repulsive to the applied field. In contrast, a ferromagnetic material will be attracted to an applied magnetic field. Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have transformed pyrite's magnetic properties to make it ferromagnetic.
And now, pyrite is being proposed as a material with which to make low-cost photovoltaic solar panels, as well as magnetic data storage. Pyrite is earth's most abundant sulfide mineral, so that would be terrific.
It forms perfect cubes as a macro expression of the arrangement of its atoms in a cubic crystal system.
Pyrite filmed by in free-fall in macro slow-motion video. Wonder Science collaboration with Radiant Images and IDT Vision.
