Full Breakdown
Chinese-German Team Unveils Ultra-Sensitive Room-Temperature Magnetometer
9/5/2026, 9:03:33 PM
Core Innovation: LeMaMa Sensor
Researchers from Peking University and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have created a tabletop magnetic sensor called the Levitated Magnet Magnetometer (LeMaMa). The device uses a magnet that floats in mid-air with virtually no friction, allowing the needle’s minute deflections to be tracked. This design enables detection of magnetic fields down to the femtotesla level—about a quadrillionth of a tesla—far weaker than the Earth’s magnetic field.
Research Collaboration and Publication
The joint effort was led by Ji Wei, an assistant professor in Peking University’s School of Physics, who is also the corresponding author of the study. Ji Wei told Guangming Daily on August 17 that the combination of room-temperature operation, tiny components and high sensitivity makes LeMaMa promising for fundamental physics experiments. The team’s findings were published in *Science* on August 6.
Scientific Significance and Prospective Uses
LeMaMa’s ability to measure femtotesla-level fields without the cryogenic cooling required by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometers could broaden experimental approaches in several fields. In fundamental physics, the sensor may enhance searches for elusive dark-matter particles that are expected to produce extremely weak magnetic signatures. In biomedical research, its sensitivity is sufficient to monitor the faint magnetic activity generated by the human brain, offering a potential new tool for non-invasive neural imaging.
Official Commentary
Ji Wei emphasized that operating at room temperature removes the need for bulky liquid-helium systems, reducing cost and complexity for laboratories worldwide. The researchers also noted that the compact, low-friction design could be integrated into portable devices, expanding the practical reach of ultra-precise magnetometry beyond specialized research facilities.
