NightStar FAQs - What are the magnets made of and how are they magnetized?

The magnet is an anisotropic sintered ceramic containing neodymium, iron and boron (NdFeB). The anisotropic nature of the material (meaning that it has properties that differ according to the direction of the measurement) is due to the tetragonal crystalline structure of the NdFeB molecule. The magnetic dipole associated with each crystal lattice site aligns itself along a well-defined axis within the bulk material.

As a consequence of its molecular magnetic structure, the material is remarkable in two ways: First, it possesses a high-density magnetic field because of the alignment uniformity of the magnetic dipoles; and second, it will hold this field for an extremely long time even when oriented for repulsion with another magnet or subjected to extreme temperatures.

All of the magnets in NightStar were initially slugs or disks of ceramic NdFeB. They were then plated with either nickel (the charging magnet and the switch activation magnet) or zinc (the repulsion magnets mounted on either end of the light). The plating, which gives the magnets a metallic look, serves to protect the magnet from corrosion, chipping and scratching. Nickel is a standard, tough, smooth coating and zinc protects the magnet and provides an excellent bonding surface. The zinc plated repulsion magnets are pressed and epoxied into pockets and will therefore only come out when the flashlight is totally destroyed.

Finally, the coated ceramic pieces are placed in a toroid chamber that converts electricity into an extremely high strength magnetic field. The ceramic pieces become magnetized within a few seconds and will remain so for thousands of years.

More Frequently Asked Questions:

• Who invented the shake flashlight?

• How does the switch work?

• Why do NightStar, NightStar CS and NightStar RS require different amounts of shaking?

• What are the magnets made of and how are they magnetized?

• Can light output be made brighter by replacing the StarCore® LED with an incandescent bulb?

• Can batteries be included in the design to allow for a longer, brighter light output?

• Is a pacemaker sensitive to the magnetic field that surrounds NightStar?

• Can adding more LEDs increase the light output?

• How is the charging magnet reflected at either end of the flashlight?

• Why was a lens chosen for the output window?

• Why doesn't NightStar interfere with night vision?

• Why is the housing made from plastic?