Applications of magnetism -- magnetic recording and spintronics as an example

Fridge magnets and compasses. These are two of the most well-known applications of magnetism. Some people may also be familiar with magnetic stripe cards and cassette tapes. However, many other exciting applications of magnetism exist that are often overlooked in high-school physics classes. Today, I will consider the example of magnetic recording and spintronics to create more awareness about the fascinating applications of magnetism. This discussion aims to motivate educators and students to place more focus on this topic and, more generally, the field of materials physics.

Physics education research in 2024

Happy New Year! I hope that 2024 has started on a positive note for everyone. In my first blog post of the year, I aim to discuss the physics education research (PER) topics that are likely to be of greatest importance in the next months. Subsequently, I will give a brief outlook to PER-related events and conferences.