Condensed-Matter Physics: Multitasking Materials from Atomic Templates

Two 'failed' materials can perform much better when united. Such a combination exhibits magnetization and electric polarization up to room temperature, providing a basis for new magnetoelectric devices. See Letter p.523

Materials in which the electric dipoles or magnetic moments associated with atoms, ions or molecules are ordered are of immense technological value. Multiferroic materials unite these two types of order in a single material and are therefore highly desirable. However, because simultaneous electric and magnetic order is difficult to achieve, multiferroics — especially those that function at or approaching room temperature — are extremely rare. On page 523, Mundy et al. detail an effort to build such a material. Remarkably, they achieved this by combining two 'failed' multiferroics, forming a new compound with excellent multiferroic properties.