Magnatized Subatomicly

As a vacuum draws the air out of a tube, physicist Tim Gay prepares to smash polarized electrons into select molecules at the end of the tube. A Bayard-Alpert Gauge monitors the progress of the vacuum. Tim Gay studies polarized elections, which are electrons spinning in the same direction, at Nebraska-Lincoln University. In Gay's words, he explains it like this,

"The electrons have to move down the tube and hit a target without bumping into air molecules. Pumping out the air gives electrons a good shot at the target."

Gay studies polarized, or magnetized electrons have many uses. Uses such as improving computers and electronics to more energy efficient light bulbs to answering some of life's fundamental questions. Gay, with funding from the National Science Foundation, uses the magnetized electrons to answer some intriguing questions. Questions such as why DNA twists clockwise.

Naturaly, electrons spin is arbitrary directions, canceling out the magnetic energy. This is why most materials are not magnetic. Making the elections spin in the same direction is time consuming. Gay aims to make the process simple, and easy-to-use. A good source of polarized electrons provide new tools for industry and research. During the process of developing this method, the scientist has trained at least 85 undergraduates in his lab.

"I really view the mission of these experiments as half physics and half training tomorrow's high-tech workforce," Gay said.

http://www.livescience.com/researchinaction/ria-100420.html
image from: Craig Chandler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln through Vicki Miller, University of Nebraska-Lincoln