National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Research institute in Florida, US
The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, also known as the MagLab, is a research institute in Tallahassee, Florida, operated by Florida State University in partnership with the University of Florida and Los Alamos National Laboratory. The facility is spread across several buildings, each dedicated to a different type of magnet or research area, including a DC Magnet building and a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance building.
The lab was founded in 1994 when Florida State University received funding from the National Science Foundation to build a world-class center for magnet research. Since then, it has steadily grown its collection of magnets and today holds several world records for the strongest steady magnetic fields ever produced.
The MagLab, as the research community calls it, is a place where scientists from around the world gather to run their experiments. During the annual open house, visitors can watch live demonstrations showing what powerful magnets can do, including sparks from tesla coils and rocks being melted on the spot.
The lab is not open to the general public at all times, so anyone wishing to visit should arrange a guided tour in advance or plan around the annual open house. During any visit, it is worth being aware that strong magnetic fields are present in certain areas, so metal objects and electronic devices may be affected.
The lab has produced a magnet capable of generating a field of 45.5 tesla, far beyond what a standard medical MRI machine can reach. This record-setting magnet is one of the main reasons scientists travel from other continents specifically to run their experiments here.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
