Chinese researchers set new world record for flat-top pulsed magnetic field

 

Researchers perform an engineering test in Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province on February 8, 2025. Photo: VCG

A Chinese research team has set a new record for a flat-top pulsed magnetic field (FTPMF) with a whopping 71.36 tesla, further consolidating the nation's international leadership in this field.

The achievement made on Friday by the research team led by Li Liang, a professor from the Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, surpassed the research team's own previous world record of a 64-tesla FTPMF set in 2018, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday, citing a statement from the university. 

High magnetic fields are among the most critical extreme conditions in modern scientific experiments, offering unique opportunities for discovering new phenomena and uncovering fundamental laws. 

Researchers worldwide have been highly active in conducting experiments under high magnetic field conditions, creating numerous original and significant breakthroughs in fields such as physics, chemistry, materials science and biology. 

Flat-top pulsed magnetic fields represent a cutting-edge direction in high magnetic field technology. With the combination of the advantages of both steady and pulsed magnetic fields, they deliver high magnetic strength with sustained stability, enabling unique experimental conditions for research such as nuclear magnetic resonance. 

To overcome challenges in magnet structural stability and precise control of high currents under strong electromagnetic forces, the research team has achieved breakthroughs in both materials and control systems. As a result, they set a new world record with a 71.36-tesla flat-top pulsed magnetic field featuring high stability (0.39 percent stability over 12.11 milliseconds), surpassing the current international level by 19 percent. 

Tesla is the unit of magnetic induction or magnetic flux density. One tesla is equivalent to 20,000 times the Earth's magnetic induction. The stronger the magnetic induction, the greater its potential in applications. 

The high pulsed magnetic field experimental facility is a major national scientific infrastructure project developed by Huazhong University of Science and Technology. It provides experimental environments featuring strong magnetic fields, ultra-low temperatures and high static pressure. 

To date, researchers from over 141 universities and research institutes across over 30 countries and have completed more than 2,000 projects at the Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center, China News Service reported. 

Among the five key indicators of high pulsed magnetic field facilities, the Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center ranks second in the world with a peak field strength of 94.88 tesla, and leads the world in terms of other key metrics such as flat-top magnetic field strength, pulse repetition rate, measurement precision and magnet lifespan, according to China News Service. - Global Times

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Powering down to keep the lights on

 

Sigh of relief: Habsah showing her electricity bill at her house in Gertak Sanggul. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

Many using less electricity as new tariffs loom

PETALING JAYA: Many consumers are taking steps to manage their electricity bills with the implementation of the new tariff structure by the government.

For example, many homeowners are considering having solar photo­voltaic (PV) systems installed on their roofs, while others are looking at the “Time of Use” scheme, which offers lower rates during off-peak hours, now defined as starting from 10pm to 2pm on weekdays, and the entire day on weekends.

Under the new tariff announced by the Energy Commission, domes­tic consumers using less than 1,000kWh (kilowatt-hours) per month will also continue to enjoy subsidies, effective yesterday.

ALSO READ: Brace for price hikes across the board, consumers told

In Johor Baru, sales operations executive Ereena Karen Lim Abdullah, 47, and her husband are thinking about rooftop PV.

“My husband and I are thinking of installing solar panels, but we are unsure whether it is possible to do so at our apartment,” she said, adding that she would raise the matter with the building management soon.

“I used to pay around RM100 for electricity monthly but it had crept up to RM150 even though it is just me and my husband living in our apartment without much changes to our routine.”

ALSO READ: ‘We may have no choice but to hike prices’

Events planning manager Evelyn Lee, 34, said she was hoping to apply for the newly expanded Time of Use (ToU) tariff as soon as possible since it matches her lifestyle.

“My husband and I are seldom at home during the day, so it’s perfect for us since we are typically home only by 10pm.

“We also like to spend our weekends at home together, just relaxing with our dogs with the air conditioning on, so it makes sense,” said Lee, who lives in Puchong.

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In Seremban, Tong Sim Old Folks Home secretary Jessie Chan said they had already been cutting back usage before the new tariffs.

“The 18 elderly and special needs folks at the centre have been told to cut down (on their use), resulting in our monthly bill going down slightly from the over RM400 previously,” she said.

Ramesh Patel, who runs the Vivekananda Home in Rembau, has also told the children under his care to start conserving.

“We went from switching on four lights throughout the night previously, to only one now to further reduce the monthly bill which totals about RM800.”

Retiree N. Manimaran from Perak said he would start consolidating his chores.

“We now do the laundry only once every two days, while clothes are ironed once per week. I’m also cutting down the hours the air conditioner is on from six to four,” said the 67-year-old.

Father-of-four Wan Fahmi Ahmad said getting his household to change their habits would be difficult as they do not know how the new tariff structure would affect their bill.

“We are used to using around 1,500kWh to 2,000kWh, and paying over RM1,000 every month, so convincing them will be hard, especially if our bill increases only by a small amount,” the 51-year old pilot said.

Wan Fahmi, who lives in Putrajaya, added that he would consider the ToU scheme if his bill spiked significantly.

Likewise, Halimatul Abdul Adib, 42, is also adopting a wait-and-see stance.

“I don’t think I will see any significant rise in my bill, though I will wait for a few billing cycles so I can make a better comparison before doing anything.”

In George Town, pensioner Habsah Sulaiman, 70, said the new tariff helped her family.

“I usually use under 300kWh a month or an average of RM150, so it is good that the government is keeping the subsidy,” said Habsah, who lives with her son and his family, including three children.

Technician Kevin Wang, 26, said while the new tariff would support efforts to reduce carbon emissions, affordability remains a key concern.

“I am all for a greener future. But any transition must be gradual, especially for middle-income families like mine.

“The government or utility providers can introduce targeted rebates or energy-efficiency incen­­tives to ease the impact.”

The Light Hotel general manager Raj Kumar said it was too early to predict whether the new tariff would impact room rates.

“We are also actively exploring cost-saving measures such as solar PV,” he said, while stressing the importance of finding a balanced solution that protects both consumers and businesses.

“It is a tough time for everyone, and we do not believe in simply passing every cost to the customer,” Raj said.

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Of AI, calculators and learning maths

 

WHILE teaching mathematics in two countries, Malaysia and China, I have noticed that the way students master this subject is deeply influenced by their own educational culture and assessment systems.

Scientific calculators and artificial intelligence (AI) are now part and parcel of the learning process. However, the students’ approaches to using these tools are still firmly rooted in the foundational values shaped by their respective systems.

In Malaysia, the use of scientific calculators is a standard practice among students at the upper secondary level.

Students are allowed to use them for mathematics and additional mathematics papers in the SPM exams, especially for questions involving trigonometry, logarithms or statistical calculations.

They do speed up calculations and minimise errors, but overly relying on them can sometimes lead to weaker mastery of basic computational skills and reduced understanding of the core mathematical concepts.

Teaching foundation students at Xi’an International University in China under the Universiti Malaya (UM) offshore programme revealed a very different learning system.

Many students there had never used scientific calculators before.

As they were preparing to pursue their undergraduate studies at UM, I made them use the calculators during lectures and assessments.

They were hesitant at first, but I could see their excitement when they tried to use the device.

Nevertheless, most of them continued to solve problems, such as multiplication, square roots and trigonometric expressions, manually and did so with remarkable speed and precision.

This comfort with manual computation stemmed from their early training and a system that actively reinforces such skills.

One of the main reasons for this is China’s national university entrance exam, Gaokao. Known for its intensity and competitiveness, Gaokao strictly prohibits the use of calculators in the mathematics paper. This policy is intentional; it aims to assess a student’s genuine computational skills, ensure fairness across all regions and backgrounds, and encourage deep mastery of mathematical principles without relying on technology. As a result, Chinese students are trained from young to memorise formulas and solve problems manually.

The outcome is a generation of students who possess strong fundamental skills and a high level of confidence when tackling complex problems using logical and structured steps.

Despite these systemic differences, global developments continue to impact both countries. Students in Malaysia and China are now turning to Ai-powered apps such as CHATGPT, Deepseek, Symbolab, and Photomath, and are becoming increasingly dependent on Ai-generated solutions without fully engaging with the problem-solving process.

To address this, I apply a simple yet effective approach in my classroom. Students are required to answer the questions using their own reasoning first before they are allowed to check or verify their answers using AI.

This approach trains them to think critically, assess their own solutions, and compare them with the output provided by AI tools. It also builds confidence in their conceptual understanding.

What I find most encouraging is how students respond when their answers differ from the Ai-generated ones. On several occasions, I have heard them say confidently, “I think my answer is correct. The AI is wrong.” To me, this is a clear indicator of authentic learning.

These students are not simply replicating solutions; they have internalised the logic, are able to explain their reasoning, and are not afraid to challenge the authority of a machine when they believe in their own understanding.

I fully support the integration of AI as a learning tool, but I also believe that solving problems manually and conceptual mastery of the subject – in this case mathematics – must remain the foundation of education.

Technology should enhance students’ learning but not replace their ability to think.

FATIN NABILA ABD LATIFF Senior lecturer Mathematics Division Centre for Foundation Studies in Science Universiti Malaya

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App launched to keep Internet up to speed

 

Improvements underway: Fahmi visiting the site of the Malaysia Day 2025 celebration at the PICCA @ Butterworth Arena. — Bernama

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Is your Internet keeping up to speed?

Download the Nexus app and check.

The app will then provide data to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and any telco that fails to deliver satisfactory service will face action.

The Nexus app, available for download by Android users, will enable MCMC to investigate and study the quality of Internet service throughout the route, said Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

“We have changed the mandatory standards on quality of service, MSQOS, to 10 Mbps,” the Communications Minister said.

“During a test, we found that from the Penang International Convention, Cultural and Arts Centre (PICCA) to the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) in Kubang Semang, the Internet speed is about 90-100mbps.

“To download and upload, it is about 20-30 Mb

“This is satisfactory.

“However, I have asked MCMC to make use of the data set from the Nexus app to identify locations that need to be improved,” he said during a press conference at Yayasan Aman here yesterday.

He said he had also asked MCMC to follow up with technical discussions with all telcos to see what technical aspects can be used to ensure that there is no disruption to the quality of service, especially when it changes from 4G to 5G.

Earlier, Fahmi paid a courtesy visit to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at his office in Komtar before attending the main committee meeting for the Malaysia Day 2025 celebration there.

Fahmi said over 5,000 visitors are expected at the national-level celebrations in Penang on Sept 16, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the guest of honour.

The event will be held at PICCA @ Butterworth Arena and will be broadcast live across all official media and online platforms.

The celebration, themed “Malaysia Madani: Rakyat Disantuni”, will feature various community-level events.

Also expected to attend the celebrations are Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Fahmi also said his ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa has been instructed to explore mechanisms for channelling funds to the Malaysian Media Council, which is currently in the process of forming its inaugural committee.

“I have asked the secretary- general to determine the most effective way to ensure that the planned funding can be properly channelled to the Media Council,” he said.

He also visited the Safe Internet Campaign, which involved hearing-impaired students from SMK Pendidikan Khas Bumbong Lima.

A total of 18 special education students with hearing impairments were given exposure to cybersecurity awareness and the ethical and responsible use of the Internet.

Three accompanying teachers acted as facilitators to ensure the smooth delivery of information to the student

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