Ferrite

/ˈfɛraɪt/ noun

Definition

A ceramic magnetic material made from iron oxide and other oxides, used in transformers, inductors, and magnetic devices.

Etymology

From 'ferr-' (iron) combined with the mineral suffix '-ite' (from Greek 'lithos,' stone). Developed as a term in the 1930s to describe a class of magnetic ceramics synthesized by Japanese researchers.

Kelly Says

Ferrites are the ceramic magnets inside almost every electronic device—they're way cheaper than rare-earth magnets and don't lose strength easily! They were actually invented by Japanese scientists during WWII and became crucial to post-war electronics development.

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