Screen magnetic: Amazon Best Sellers: Best Screen Doors

The Best Magnetic Screen Doors of 2022

BobVila.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Photo: Debbie Wolfe

Warm weather means lots of comings and goings to and from the yard, deck, and patio. But when bugs barge in with you, talk about a fly in the ointment! They can land on your food, buzz in your face, bite, sting, and otherwise ruin your day.

Fortunately, a magnetic screen door can help you outsmart insects by closing quickly before they can follow behind you. These doors also effectively keep out dust and dirt while still allowing fresh air, sunlight, and breezes to come through.

Unlike conventional hinged screen doors or sliding screen doors, magnetic screen doors generally come as two mesh panels that attach to the frame of the doorway using adhesives, Velcro, thumbtacks, or other fasteners. The panels, which have weighted magnets sewn into the mesh netting, are designed to come together in the middle, similar to a theater curtain. After someone passes through, the magnets are drawn to each other to close the door quickly, gently, and silently at the seam. This automatic close function on the best magnetic screen doors makes them ideal for active families with kids and pets.

The models below represent some of the best magnetic screen door options on the market in various categories. We tested the top magnetic screen doors available to help you pick the right one for your home. Learn about what goes into a high-quality screen door and how to choose the most suitable one for your home.

  1. BEST OVERALL: Flux Phenom Magnetic Screen Door
  2. RUNNER-UP: MAGZO Magnetic Screen Door Heavy Duty Fiberglass
  3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Homearda Magnetic Screen Door Fiberglass
  4. BEST LIGHT-DUTY: AUGO Magnetic Screen Door – Self Sealing
  5. BEST FOR FRENCH DOORS: IKSTAR Magnetic Screen Door for French Door
  6. BEST FOR BREEZES: MAGZO Magnetic Screen Door Size 72 x 80 Inch

Also Tested:

  • Wolf & Moon Products Bug Off 32 by 96 Instant Screen
  • OWNPETS Dog Screen Door

Photo: Debbie Wolfe

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Magnetic Screen Door

To shop wisely for the best magnetic screen door, factor in the following considerations.

Measurements

Precise measurements are required to successfully replace doors and windows, and magnetic screen doors are no exception. Take measurements of the width and the height of the doorway and the existing screen door (if there is one) to accurately determine the correct size of the magnetic screen door to purchase.

Some brands come in one size only, but most offer multiple widths and heights. If your door falls between standard sizes, you may be able to adjust a larger model to fit.

Measure the width of the doorway from the left side of the doorframe to the right side, then measure the height of the doorway from the ground to the top doorframe. Compare this width-by-height measurement to common screen door sizes to find the appropriate magnetic mesh door for your home.

Material

Fiberglass and polyester are the main materials used to create the mesh on magnetic screen doors, but ABS plastic can be used for enhanced durability on specially made magnetic screen doors for pets. Metal and wood are the most common frame materials for these doors.

  • Fiberglass mesh is preferred by many people because the material allows ample fresh air to circulate in and through the home. Though it does come with a higher cost, fiberglass mesh is also more durable, making it the better choice in areas with heavy traffic, like a back door or sunroom.
  • Polyester mesh is more affordable, easier to see through, and lets in more natural light than fiberglass. However, it tends to be less durable, so if going with polyester, a higher fiber count is an indicator of good quality and efficacy.
  • ABS plastic frames encase a polyester or fiberglass mesh door in pet-size portals. Just a push on the screen gives pets access to the outside.
  • Metal doorframes are durable and resistant to temperature fluctuations; however, these frames are typically fastened to the home’s wooden framing. At this joint, the frame is vulnerable to rusting, corrosion, and moisture buildup. Install a hanging screen door using adhesives and Velcro when dealing with a metal frame because thumbtacks and nails can loosen over time.
  • Wood doorframes may be susceptible to expanding and cracking when faced with extremely low temperatures or high humidity. Wood may also be vulnerable to burrowing insects, like carpenter ants and termites. Keep in mind that it’s much easier to use screws, nails, thumbtacks, or other fasteners when dealing with a wood surface than with a metal one.

Fastening

Magnetic screen doors can come with multiple types of fasteners to hold the door closed and to keep the door installed in its location. Fastener options, in addition to magnets, include thumbtacks and wind-resistant hasps.

  • Magnets: These fasteners are used primarily for closing the two sides of the magnetic screen door. Heavy magnets are stitched securely into the hem of the screen, and their weight forces the door to automatically close.
  • Thumbtacks: Most magnetic screen doors are installed with adhesive on the top and sides of the doorframe. Some manufacturers use reinforcing thumbtacks on the doorframe to increase the strength of the installation. These thumbtacks may have a brass finish or be colored to match the screen.
  • Wind-resistant hasps: If your door will be located in a windy area, wind-resistant hasps are a good idea. A hasp is a locking mechanism, such as a leather buckle with a button fastener or a slotted hinged plate and loop made of nylon. The hasp is located on either side of the magnetic screen door and meets in the center when the door is closed to keep the two sides of the magnetic screen door closed during high winds.

Single vs. Double Door

Doorways can be a single-door opening or a double-door opening, and before buying a magnetic screen door, you need to determine which you have so you can invest in the correct product to fill the space correctly.

  • Single-door magnetic screens are screen doors that measure between 30 and 40 inches wide. They’re less expensive than double-door products because they’re smaller, but they cannot be used to fill double-door spaces.
  • Double-door magnetic screens are intended to cover double-door openings, such as a French door walkout to the back deck. These magnetic screen doors range in width from 60 to 80 inches, ensuring that both doors and any filler in between are covered by the mesh screen.

Additional Features

Magnetic screen doors can come with a few extra features that make them easier to use, including full-strip magnets, pet doors, and side snaps to hold the doors open.

  • Full-strip magnets are used instead of individually placed magnets in some models. The entire closing strip of the magnetic screen door is filled with thin, rectangular magnets to help keep the door closed even in strong wind gusts.
  • Pet doors are small screen doors that open with a push from your dog, cat, or any similar-size pet. They can be installed directly into the mesh of a standard screen door. The pet door stays closed using magnets in the frame that hold the swinging portion of the door in place when not in use.
  • Side snaps, which are available on some models, keep the doors open without people having to push through the screen. They act like curtain ties to keep the two mesh screens open and can be unsnapped when closing the mesh screen is desired.

Installation

Magnetic screen doors are generally very simple to install by a DIYer if the manufacturer’s directions are followed. Though quality models stay in place quite well when properly installed, they may be considered as temporary screen doors since taking them down can be done easily. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind during installation:

  • Does your door open inward or outward? To avoid impeding the swing of the door, install the magnetic screen door opposite the swing. Inward-swinging doors should have screens installed on the outside of the frame. Outward-swinging doors should have the screen installed on the inside of the frame.
  • Magnetic screen doors must be affixed to the doorframe using a strong adhesive, finishing nails, or thumbtacks. The type of frame, be it metal, wood, or an alternate material, will limit your choice of installation fasteners.
  • After installing the magnetic screen door, check that the magnets at the end of each screen link to each other. If they don’t, the installation was done incorrectly and the door will not close properly. You’ll need to remove the door and reinstall it correctly so the magnets align.

Maintenance

A magnetic screen door must be cleaned and maintained properly to extend the life of the screen. Dust frequently with a microfiber cloth or other duster to remove the dirt and debris from the mesh, and wash weekly with a damp cloth and mild soap.
Mesh screens should always be left to air dry; do not put them in a dryer, which could damage them.

You may prefer to purchase a Velcro system that attaches to the doorframe and to the magnetic screen door edging using adhesive. The magnetic screen door is attached to the Velcro lining as needed and is just as easily removed for washing by hand in a sink.

Photo: Debbie Wolfe

Our Top Picks

The magnetic screen doors highlighted below are top performers in frame and mesh quality, price, and other important features.

Photo: amazon.com

Check Latest Price

The tightly woven, upgraded polyester mesh of the Flux Phenom magnetic screen door offers the durability of fiberglass with the visibility and airflow of polyester. The edges are fully reinforced with thumbtacks for extra security, ensuring that the magnetic screen door can stand up to the vigorous comings and goings of pets and kids.

This hands-free magnetic screen door fits door sizes up to 38 by 82 inches, meaning it’s suitable for any doorframe that is 38 inches or less in width and 82 inches or less in height. The mesh can be pushed open by most cats, dogs, and kids, and the 26 heavy magnets running down the seam will close the mesh behind them.

A video tutorial with installation instructions is included with the door, but it’s pretty intuitive and overall easy to install. Since we had an aluminum doorframe, we used the hook-and-loop tape that came with the screen. There are also thumbtacks included for wood frame installation. This Velcro system makes it easy to remove the screen if needed. The magnetic polyester screen material feels sturdy, and all the magnets along the opening fell into place upon entering and exiting. We found that it opens easily without the need to use our hands, and our dogs had no issues getting in and out.

Product Specs

  • Material: Polyester
  • Size: 38” by 82”
  • Type: Single door

Pros

  • Clear installation instructions
  • Fits most single doorframes
  • Heavy-duty mesh screen with reinforced edges

Cons

  • Thumbtacks are flimsy

Photo: amazon. com

Check Latest Price

The fireproof, corrosion-resistant, heavy-duty fiberglass mesh of the MAGZO Magnetic Screen Door boasts better durability than polyester mesh products. The 38-by-99-inch screen door opens with a push to let people and pets go in and out freely, while the weight of strong magnets sewn into the screen edging pulls the two sides back into place.

This magnetic screen door uses a windproof sticker hasp design on the middle and the bottom of the screen door to prevent it from being blown open by high winds. There are also extra thumbtacks to help secure the adhesive strips used for installation.

In testing, we found that this magnetic screen was very durable. It’s heavier than polyester mesh screens, and the weight helps keep the screen in place on breezy days. The hasp latch design on the middle and bottom part of the screen door curtain also helps to keep the screen in place on windy days. It opened with ease as we passed through it, and our dogs could get in and out without damaging or pulling it off the wall.

Product Specs

  • Material: Fiberglass
  • Size: 36” by 98”
  • Type: Single door

Pros

  • Clear installation instructions
  • Fire resistant
  • Windproof hook-and-loop hasp design
  • Heavy-duty screen material with reinforced edges

Cons

  • Hook tape doesn’t stick well on concrete or stone

Photo: amazon.com

Check Latest Price

To be bug-free on a budget, consider the Homearda Magnetic Screen Door. It uses Velcro strips for quick and easy installation to the doorframe via the adhesive backing, which allows the door to be put up and taken down with ease.

Weighted sticks in the bottom edges of the fiberglass mesh screen prevent the 36-by-82-inch door from blowing open by the wind. With 26 powerful magnets sewn into the reinforced edges, this magnetic screen door features a fast yet silent closing that will not disrupt activities indoors or out.

In testing we found that this magnetic screen door performs as described. The construction quality felt just as sturdy as the top pick and runner-up screens. It was a cinch to install, and the durable fiberglass mesh held up to some light stretching and traffic. The included installation instructions were minimal, but there is an installation video on the seller’s site. However, it did not come with optional thumbtacks to help keep it in place on uneven surfaces.

Product Specs

  • Material: Fiberglass
  • Size: 36” by 82”
  • Type: Single door

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Durable fiberglass mesh
  • Reinforced edges seams

Cons

  • Gray screen is more noticeable
  • Did not come with thumbtacks

Photo: amazon.com

Check Latest Price

Instead of numerous individual magnets, the light-duty polyester AUGO Magnetic Screen Door uses just a single magnet on each side that runs the entire length of the edges, from top to bottom, to keep the door closed. For times when leaving the door open makes it easier for folks to file in and out, use the sewn-in snaps on the curtain to keep both sides of the screen parted.

The 38-by-83-inch screen is installed with adhesives, but thumbtacks are included for added strength. The screen is hung from a Velcro lining, so it’s easily removed for cleaning.

We found this screen opened and closed with ease thanks to the full-length magnets along its length. Although this screen is made from polyester mesh, it’s thinner than the others we tested, and it doesn’t seem likely to hold up to a high amount of animal and people traffic. It’s best if this screen is installed on a low-traffic doorway.

Product Specs

  • Material: Fiberglass
  • Size: 38” by 83”
  • Type: Single door

Pros

  • Magnetic strips along the entire length of the screen
  • Side snaps to keep screen open
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Not great for high-traffic areas

Photo: amazon. com

Check Latest Price

This magnetic screen door comes in a wide span of sizes so the door can be fitted to almost any doorway including common French door sizes. The range extends from 39 by 83 inches to 72 by 80 inches, with seven additional options that fall between these two extremes.

The mesh is made with lightweight polyester to keep bugs out while allowing fresh air in. And it’s pet-friendly, so four-legged family members should have no problem coming and going. Install the door on metal or wood with the adhesive strips, and consider using the included thumbtacks for additional security.

We found that this double screen door fits perfectly in an average-width French doorframe. Installation wasn’t complicated, and the directions were straightforward. The screen is light duty and will flap open with a strong breeze. However, the mesh is fairly sheer, so it doesn’t obstruct your view from the inside but is still dark enough to protect your privacy from view on the outside.

Product Specs

  • Material: Polyester
  • Size: Varies
  • Type: Double door

Pros

  • Full-frame hook-and-loop design
  • Reinforced double-line edging
  • Doesn’t obstruct views

Cons

  • Not breeze or windproof

Photo: amazon.com

Check Latest Price

This MAGZO model is designed with wind-resistant hasps at the middle and bottom of the door to keep it closed, even in heavy winds. It’s made with durable fiberglass and attaches to either wood or metal frames with the included adhesive Velcro strips. The screen door also includes a package of thumbtacks for additional security (appropriate for wood frames only).

Pets can walk in and out through the screen without damaging the door or pulling it from the frame. This magnetic screen door comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 40 by 82 inches to 72 by 96 inches, making it appropriate for standard doorways, sliding doors, and French doors.

Thanks to the wind-resistant hasps on the middle and bottom of the screen door curtain, we found that this screen stayed closed on breezy days. The screen is heavier than the double-door polyester screens we tested, which helps keep it in place on windy days and enables it to withstand busy foot traffic. It opens and closes easily, and our dogs can pass through without issue.

Product Specs

  • Material: Fiberglass
  • Size: Varies
  • Type: Double Door

Pros

  • Wind-resistant hasps
  • Heavy-duty mesh construction
  • Available in a variety of sizes

Cons

  • Hook tape doesn’t stick well on concrete or stone

Also Tested:

  • Wolf & Moon Products Bug Off 32 by 96 Instant Screen
  • OWNPETS Dog Screen Door

We also tested Wolf & Moon Products Bug Off Instant Screen and OWNPETS Dog Screen Door, but neither product passed our testing standards.

Although the Wolf & Moon Products Bug Off magnetic screen was the easiest to install, it had many flaws. This screen was the most expensive magnetic screen we tested, yet its construction wasn’t as sturdy as the others. It’s heavily weighted at the bottom and features a tension rod installation system, making it easy to install. However, it has only two magnets located toward the bottom of the screen and adhesive Velcro tabs on the sides of the screen to attach to the doorframe. This design leaves gaps for bugs and other small critters to squeeze through. When our dogs go in and out, there is often a significant gap in the middle of the screen because there are not enough magnets to force it closed. Also, after a while, the tension rod needs to be adjusted. Overall, we found that the design and quality of the screen were poor.

The OWNPETS Dog Screen Door is not a magnetic screen door, so we could not test it accurately with the rubrics established for magnetic screen doors. However, since it’s a popular product, we did install it onto a removable screen on our storm door. We found the installation to be straightforward, but you do have to cut out a section of your existing screen to create an opening for the dog door. Although it functioned as described, we noticed that the dog screen door pulled on the screen as our dogs passed through. This did not give us confidence that the setup would be durable since it depends on the condition and strength of the existing screen door.

Our Verdict

The Flux Phenom Magnetic Screen Door came in as our top pick because its polyester mesh is durable, it features strong magnets that close effectively, and it is available in various sizes. Consider the MAGZO Magnetic Screen Door with reinforced fiberglass mesh for high-traffic doorways or breezy areas. Most of the others on our list worked well, but these two were our favorites.

How We Tested the Best Magnetic Screen Doors

We tested the magnetic screen doors according to an established rubric that included material type, installation, performance, and durability criteria. We rated the screens on a scale of 0 to 4 to determine their score.

We installed each screen in doorways of the appropriate size. Following the package instructions or using the video instructions on the seller’s site, we determined the ease of installation. Next, we considered the durability of the installation materials.

We walked through each screen door several times to test the screen’s durability and how well the magnetic closures worked and allowed our dogs to do the same. We observed how the magnetic strips were sealed after each passage. Then, we set up a high-powered fan to determine how well the screens stayed closed with a strong breeze. Lastly, we removed each screen to determine how easy it was to adjust. By installing the screens in real-life situations, we could understand how well they functioned overall.

The Advantages of Owning a Magnetic Screen Door

A magnetic screen door in your home, cottage, or trailer keeps your place bug-free while allowing light and air in for ventilation. It will prove especially useful for pet owners, as cats and dogs can pass through with ease.

Magnetic fasteners close quickly and quietly before insects like mosquitoes can get in. While this addition does require regular dusting and washing, magnetic screen doors are otherwise low-maintenance and really allow you to enjoy pleasant weather without the bane of bugs.

  • Having a magnetic screen door keeps a home well ventilated.
  • Magnetic screen door maintenance is minimal compared to the benefits.
  • Animal lovers truly appreciate not having to be at their pets’ beck and call when furry friends want to come in and go out.

FAQs

For more information on choosing and using the best magnetic screen door, check out the answers below to some of the most commonly asked questions about these products.

Q. How does a magnetic screen door work?

Magnetic doors have two mesh panels that attach to the doorframe. The panels come together in the center using weighted magnets that are sewn into the border of the mesh netting to magnetically close the door. Users simply pass through at will, and the doors close behind them automatically.

Q. What are the different types of screen doors?

There are several different types of screen doors including hinged, retractable, sliding, pivoting, and magnetic screen doors. Some people may also include storm doors in the classification of screen doors, though technically they don’t have a screen and do not fit this category.

Q. What should I look for in a magnetic screen door?

Look for strong magnets and wind-resistant hasps to help protect the door from strong gusts. This solution allows people inside their homes to still enjoy the breeze without the door being blown open or blown completely off the frame.

Q. How do you install a magnetic screen door?

Installing a magnetic screen door isn’t difficult when following these simple steps. First, identify the type of fastener. Thumbtacks are appropriate for wooden frames, but for metal, you will need to use adhesive Velcro strips.

  • For tack-mounted magnetic screen doors:
  • Line up the corners of the door with the corners of the frame.
  • Insert a thumbtack through the border of the screen door and through the doorframe to secure the door to the frame.
  • Repeat with all thumbtacks, ensuring that they are evenly installed around the sides and top of the magnetic screen door.
  • Check to verify that the door closes in the center. If the door opens and closes without pulling away from the frame, the installation is successful.

For adhesive Velcro-strip installations:

  • Begin by washing the doorframe and allowing it to properly dry.
  • When the doorframe is clean and dry, align and apply the adhesive Velcro strip to the doorframe.
  • Hang the magnetic screen door from the Velcro strip, and use the door to test whether it opens and closes without a problem. If it functions properly, the installation is complete.

Best Magnetic Screen Doors ~ 7 Best Screens With Magnet Closures In 2022

Table of Contents_

  • Top 7 Best Magnetic Screen Doors
  •  #1  Flux Phenom Reinforced Magnetic Screen Door
  •  #2  Magzo Magnetic Screen Door
  •  #3  Augo Self-sealing Magnetic Screen Door
  •  #4  Homearda Fiberglass Magnetic Screen Door
  •  #5  iGotTech Magnetic Screen Door
  •  #6  Mkicesky Reinforced Mesh Magnetic Screen Door
  •  #7  Homitt Upgraded Magnetic Screen Door
  • How We Decided
  • Best Magnetic Screen Door Buyer’s Guide
  • The Most Important Features to Consider

To help you find the best laser magnetic screen door for your home, we have tried out a multitude of top models. We preferred screen doors that easily kept bugs out, typically via mesh enclosures, and those that offered hands-free entry. We also liked models that were easy-to-install and those that could be accessed by pets and children.

Sale

Flux Phenom Magnetic Screen Door – Mesh Net…

(61430)

MAGZO Magnetic Screen Door Fit Door Size 36 x 82…

(17930)

Sale

AUGO Magnetic Screen Door – Self Sealing, Heavy…

(59582)

The best magnetic screen door that we tried was easily the Flux Phenom Reinforced Magnetic Screen Door. This screen door offers an easy install, with no tools required, and is made from thick mesh, so as to keep bugs out, and 26 high-grade magnets. It fits most standard door sizes and allows for hands-free opening and closing. Keep reading to learn more about high-quality magnetic screen doors available for purchase. And if you want to save cash while shopping, read our guide on how to find the best prices on appliances.

Top 7 Best Magnetic Screen Doors

 #1  Flux Phenom Reinforced Magnetic Screen Door

Sale

61,430 Reviews

Our #1 Pick is the Flux Phenom Reinforced Magnetic Screen Door

Award: TOP PICK

WHY WE LIKE IT: Fantastic heavy duty magnetic screen door, made from high-grade mesh to keep bugs out and featuring a design that allows for hands-free operation, thanks to 26 magnets built-in to the interior.

Pros

  • Heavy duty mesh keeps bugs out
  • Hand-free operation, via 26 built-in magnets
  • Easy install with no tools required

Cons

  • Fits plenty of door sizes but not all
  • May not stand up to large gusts of wind

The Flux Phenom Reinforced Magnetic Screen Door is a fantastic option for keeping bugs out of the interior of your home, thanks to being built with heavy-duty mesh. This premium magnetic screen door also features 26 high-grade magnets which allow for hands-free operation, as the door simply opens when you walk through it and closes automatically. These magnets will also open for pets and children. We also loved just how easy it was to install, requiring no tools whatsoever and shipping with detailed instructions.

Related: Looking for a bulb? Try the best LED color-changing remote control light bulbs.

Though this magnetic screen door can be installed on 38 x 82 inches, there are some doors measurements it cannot be integrated with, so make sure to measure before you purchase. Additionally, the magnets open rather easily, for the purposes of hands-free operation, and may blow open accidentally by large gusts of wind. If you want ideas for the rest of your house, take a look at 20 of the sneakiest secret doors.

 #2  Magzo Magnetic Screen Door

17,930 Reviews

Our #2 Pick is the Magzo Magnetic Screen Door

Award: HONORABLE MENTION

WHY WE LIKE IT: Available in many size options, up to 38 x 99”, with a hasp design that adequately protects against wind and the ability to be rolled up and tucked away when not in use.

Pros

  • Multiple sizes available to fit most entryways
  • Hasp design can withstand heavy wind
  • Can be rolled up for storage when not in use

Cons

  • Install somewhat complicated, but comes with all necessary tools
  • May tear paint off when removed

This Magzo Magnetic Screen Door is available in 15 size options to suit even the largest doors and entryways, as the maximum size available is 38 x 99 inches. We loved the included windproof hasp stickers on this door frame, which prevent it from being blown upon by a gust of wind, and the fact that this magnetic screen door can easily be rolled up and placed in storage when not in use. The magnets here are also sturdy, yet pliable enough to allow for hands-free operation.

Related: Our reviewers also recommend the best overhead garage storage.

The install here is somewhat complicated, however, though this magnetic screen door does ship with all of the necessary tools and components in order to get it set up. To that end, we found that the installation stickers can cause minor paint damage when removed, so be careful. If you want to make sure your home is protected from intruders, you can also read our guide to the best home security camera.

 

 #3  Augo Self-sealing Magnetic Screen Door

Sale

59,582 Reviews

Our #3 Pick is the Augo Self-sealing Magnetic Screen Door

Award: MOST CONVENIENT

WHY WE LIKE IT: This magnetic screen door not only offers hands-free operation but includes built-in straps that easily keep the door open, allowing for a convenient way to increase foot traffic.

Pros

  • Easy to install, with extra push pins for stability
  • Polyester mesh is durable and keeps bugs out
  • Tear-resistant design

Cons

  • Can be blown open by strong gusts of wind
  • Only 1 size available, though it is near universal

This Augo Self-sealing Magnetic Screen Door offers supreme convenience, as it allows for both hands-free operation and the ability to always remain open, via a patent-pending clasp design. The latter feature is great for parties or other scenarios in which foot traffic will be increased. The polyester mesh is highly durable and tear-resistant and features holes small enough to keep bugs out of the home. We also loved just how easy it was to install, and the fact that it ships with extra push pins for stability.

Though this magnetic screen door offers a stable install, there are no weights running along the bottom, which means it could accidentally blow open by large gusts of wind. Also, there is only one size available, though it does offer support for entryways up to 38 x 83 inches. If you’re thinking of adding to your patio, you’ll definitely want one of the best outdoor TVs.

 #4  Homearda Fiberglass Magnetic Screen Door

Sale

6,387 Reviews

Our #4 Pick is the Homearda Fiberglass Magnetic Screen Door

Award: BEST ON A BUDGET

WHY WE LIKE IT: Budget-friendly magnetic screen door with plenty of high end features, including durable sewn seams and gravity sticks along the bottom to protect against gusts of wind.

Pros

  • Easy install, via adhesive tape
  • Weights along bottom to resist wind
  • Durable sewn seams for longevity

Cons

  • May not fit all doors, though does fit many
  • Ships with an intense rubber odor, though it fades

This Homearda Fiberglass Magnetic Screen Door comes in at a budget-friendly price point while still offering features in line with higher-priced competitors, including gravity stick weights running along the bottom, to protect against wind, and a durable sewn seam for the purposes of longevity. We also loved just how easy it was to install this magnetic screen door, via “magic” adhesive tape.

The magnetic screen door fits most standard door sizes but does max out at 34 x 82 inches, so be sure to measure your entryway before purchasing. Additionally, we found that this model smelled strongly of rubber upon opening, though it faded after several days of use. While this screen may not hold the best door anchor, you should still check it out for your next workout.

 #5  iGotTech Magnetic Screen Door

Sale

9,360 Reviews

Our #5 Pick is the iGotTech Magnetic Screen Door

Award: STURDIEST INSTALLATION

WHY WE LIKE IT: Offers an extremely sturdy installation, with the entire frame being reinforced with a unique hook and loop seal, so it should never accidentally fall off the entryway.

Pros

  • Perfect hands-free operation
  • Easy to install, with instructions and video tutorial
  • Mesh is durable with small holes to keep insects away

Cons

  • No weights along bottom, so susceptible to wind
  • Does not lock

The iGotTech Magnetic Screen Door is extremely sturdy once it has been installed, thanks to the entire frame being reinforced with a unique hook and loop seal. In other words, once it has been installed, it is not coming down unless you want it to come down. To that end, the installation procedure was simple and helped along via detailed instructions and an included video tutorial. We also loved the effortless hands-free operation, thanks to the 26 built-in magnets, and the fact that the durable mesh features holes small enough to keep bugs out.

Though the installation is heavy duty and sturdy, there are no weights running along the bottom, so gusts of wind could separate the magnets on occasion. Also, there is no locking mechanism here, so kids and pets can wander freely.

 #6  Mkicesky Reinforced Mesh Magnetic Screen Door

85 Reviews

Our #6 Pick is the Mkicesky Reinforced Mesh Magnetic Screen Door

Award: BEST QUALITY

WHY WE LIKE IT: High-quality design that is available in many size options, to suit most entryways, featuring strong magnets and a reinforced fiberglass mesh to keep bugs out and allow pleasant breezes through.

Pros

  • Multiple size options
  • Ultra-strong magnets and reinforced mesh keep bugs out
  • Scratch-resistant and tear-resistant design

Cons

  • Adhesive tape could tear paint off upon removal
  • Does not lock, so be careful with kids and pets

This Mkicesky Reinforced Mesh Magnetic Screen Door is of an extremely high-quality, with ultra-strong magnets running throughout, allowing for hands-free operation, and a reinforced fiberglass mesh that is scratch-resistant and tear-resistant. The holes along the interior of this easy screen door are small enough to keep bugs out and still let fresh air in. We also loved the multiple size options available, which should suit nearly any door or entryway up to 36 x 98 inches.

Though the installation procedure on this full-frame velcro screen door was effortless, requiring no tools, we did find that the adhesive tape used to install the magnetic screen door could tear some paint off upon removal. Additionally, there is no locking mechanism here, so keep an eye on your pets and children.

 #7  Homitt Upgraded Magnetic Screen Door

We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock

Award: BEST FOR PETS

WHY WE LIKE IT: Effective design for pet-friendly homes, thanks to a fiberglass mesh enclosure that is scratch-resistant, in addition to being tear-resistant and highly transparent.

Pros

  • Tear-resistant design
  • Easy to install, with all components and tools included
  • Includes 8 gravity sticks along bottom, to protect against wind

Cons

  • Only available in one size, though fits many doors
  • Not lockable

This Homitt Upgraded Magnetic Screen Door is a great choice for cat and dog lovers, as the premium fiberglass mesh enclosure is designed to withstand scratches and tears. This magnetic screen door is also highly transparent, while still offering a mesh material that protects against insects, and comes with eight gravity sticks that run along the bottom, to protect it from being accidentally blown open by wind. The magnets on this Homitt magnetic screen door are durable, yet offer reliable hands-free operation.

There is only one size available here, and it isn’t quite universal, fitting doorways up to 36 x 82 inches. Additionally, this magnetic screen door is not lockable, so children can wander in and out at will. We’d advise caution. For the rest of your home, you might also be interested in our guide to the best home appliances and products.

How We Decided

To help narrow down to the above list, we focused primarily on magnetic screen doors that offered effortless hands-free operation, via magnets that easily pull apart when a human or animal walks through the door. This allows for the carrying of drinks to the patio, in addition to other tasks to make your leisure time more pleasurable.

We liked magnetic screen doors that were easy to install, often requiring no tools whatsoever. This installation is usually completed via included adhesive tape and push pins. We also liked doors with additional features, such as gravity sticks running along the bottom to prevent against gusts of wind and latches that allow the door to always remain open.

As far as materials, we enjoyed magnetic screen doors made with fine yet durable mesh, often manufactured from polyester or fiberglass. We chose mesh enclosures that were scratch and tear-resistant, so as to better incorporate with a pet-friendly lifestyle. Finally, we liked doors available in a wide variety of sizes, to suit nearly any entryway.

Best Magnetic Screen Door Buyer’s Guide

The Most Important Features to Consider

  1. Size
    Size is an important consideration when you are looking to purchase a magnetic screen door. Though many of these doors offer near-universal design, with the ability to conform to a number of entryway sizes, there are always exceptions. To that end, we strongly recommend that you measure the height and width of your doorway before making a purchase and making sure that it aligns with the advertised size. Sliding glass doors and French doors may not always offer a convenient fit, so be sure to measure those as well.
  2. Hands-free Operation and Wind Protection
    One of the best features of a magnetic screen door is hands-free operation. The magnetics with these doors are often pliable enough to simply open as you walk through them, which means you can carry drinks and plates of food without having to worry about setting them down to open the door. Some magnetic screen doors also come with weights, otherwise known as gravity sticks, that run along the bottom. This helps to ensure that strong gusts of wind won’t blow the door open.
  3. Installation
    Installing these magnetic screen doors is typically rather easy. They don’t require any special tools and generally ship with all necessary components. This installation is done by laying down included adhesive tape along your entryway, affixing the door, and then installing a series of push pins for extra stability. Most high-grade magnetic screen doors ship with detailed instructions to simplify this process further.

9 Best Magnetic Screen Doors 2021

Type keyword(s) to search

Today’s Top Stories

1

Dive Into the 20 Deepest Lakes in the World

2

iPhone 14 Pro Review

3

The Truth About the Black Knight Satellite

4

What Do Cheerios and Fire Ants Have in Common?

5

Black Holes Could Solve the Mystery of Dark Matter

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link.
How we test gear.

Sure, there’s merit to permanent installation. But if you’re on a budget or want something that’s practically hassle-free, here’s a simple, inexpensive solution.

By
Rachel Klein

Staff

If you’re about to take on the not-so-fun—and often expensive—task of buying and installing a permanent screen door, listen up: there’s a cheaper and easier option to consider if you’d rather dedicate your time and money elsewhere in summer home improvement projects. Magnetic screen doors are designed like a curtain that fits around your door frame, for hands-free opening and closing with a magnetic strip in the center. There are even options to use on sliding and French doors. If this low cost and commitment option sounds like your jam, read on for our top recommendations.

Best Magnetic Screen Doors

  • 1

    Editors’ Choice

    Flux Phenom Magnetic Screen Door
    Flux Phenom

    $18 AT AMAZON

    Read More

    $18 AT AMAZON

  • 2

    Best Design

    Magzo Magnetic Screen Doors
    Magzo

    $33 AT AMAZON

    Read More

    $33 AT AMAZON

  • 3

    Best Heavy-Duty

    Megamesh Heavy-Duty Magnetic Screen Door
    Megamesh

    $13 AT AMAZON

    Read More

    $13 AT AMAZON

  • 4

    Best White Screen

    Yotache White Magnetic Screen Doors
    Yotache

    $28 AT AMAZON

    Read More

    $28 AT AMAZON

  • 5

    Best for Sliding Doors

    Yotache Reinforced Magnetic Screen Doors
    Yotache

    $37 AT AMAZON

    Read More

    $37 AT AMAZON

  • 6

    Best Upgrade

    Magzo Fiberglass Mesh Magnetic Screen Door
    Magzo

    $27 AT AMAZON

    Read More

    $27 AT AMAZON

  • 7

    Best for Pets

    Ownpets Magnetic Screen Door
    Ownpets

    $41 AT AMAZON

    Read More

    $41 AT AMAZON

  • 8

    Best for French Doors

    Ikstar Magnetic Screen Doors
    Ikstar

    $28 AT AMAZON

    Read More

    $28 AT AMAZON

  • 9

    Our Budget Pick

    Homearda Magnetic Screen Door
    Homearda

    $17 AT AMAZON

    Read More

    $17 AT AMAZON

  • Load More

    Show Less

      What to Know

      The first thing to nail down is finding the right size magnetic screen door. Some are trimmable or adjustable and others or not, requiring you to take exact measurements for an exact fit. Generally speaking, magnetic screen doors made of fiberglass mesh versus polyester mesh tend to be higher-quality—with a higher price tag often attached. Most are installed with adhesive tape or Velcro, and a mix of hooks and loops and thumbtacks. Magnets are typically used to keep the panels closed, and some options come with hasps at the center and bottom seam to prevent them from blowing open in high wind.

      How We Selected

      All of the magnetic screen doors we cover have average four stars or more, and several are rated at 4.5 stars and up. We combed through user reviews during our research and our selections include a range of styles for different doors, plus we offer options across multiple price points, from budget mesh options to higher-end fiberglass screens.

      1

      Editors’ Choice

      Flux Phenom

      Flux Phenom Magnetic Screen Door

      Now 45% off

      $18 AT AMAZON

      2

      Best Design

      Magzo

      Magzo Magnetic Screen Doors

      $33 AT AMAZON

      3

      Best Heavy-Duty

      Megamesh

      Megamesh Heavy-Duty Magnetic Screen Door

      Now 24% off

      $13 AT AMAZON

      4

      Best White Screen

      Yotache

      Yotache White Magnetic Screen Doors

      $28 AT AMAZON

      5

      Best for Sliding Doors

      Yotache

      Yotache Reinforced Magnetic Screen Doors

      $37 AT AMAZON

      6

      Best Upgrade

      Magzo

      Magzo Fiberglass Mesh Magnetic Screen Door

      $27 AT AMAZON

      7

      Best for Pets

      Ownpets

      Ownpets Magnetic Screen Door

      8

      Best for French Doors

      Ikstar

      Ikstar Magnetic Screen Doors

      $28 AT AMAZON

      9

      Our Budget Pick

      Homearda

      Homearda Magnetic Screen Door

      $17 AT AMAZON

      Rachel Klein
      Rachel Klein
      Rachel Klein has been a professional editor and writer for more than a decade, with a background in digital media, publishing, and journalism.

      The 7 Best Metric Tape Measures

      The Best Blow Dryers for Beating Bad Hair Days


      The Best 8 Toys for Puppies


      10 Bartender-Approved Bar Carts


      The Best Pot Racks and Pan Organizers

      16 Scariest Halloween Animatronics



      How to Move a Hot Tub

      The 10 Best Pumpkin Carving Kits for Halloween


      9 Best Dish Racks


      How to Clean a Hot Tub


      BugOffScreen – The Smart Screen Door

      Skip to content

      HomeadmiNbugAFFsc12020-06-02T06:31:25+00:00

      LET FRESH AIR IN

      KEEP BUGS OUT!

      Bug Off Instant Screen Door works and looks better than ALL other Instant Screens, including Magic Mesh

      • Magnetic hands-free entry and exit
      • Installs without tools in minutes
      • Makes any door a pet door
      • Made with USA Screen Mesh and Magnets
      • Awarded 4 our of 5 Stars, 2,000+ Positive Online Reviews

      Opens Instantly, Closes Magnetically

      Homes

      Completely portable, installs in minutes no tools required, won’t damage door frame.

      Easy for kids

      Mom’s love Bug Off. No more slamming screen doors or screens left open.

      Cabins & Vacation Homes RVs and Boats

      Screens are portable, take them with you on vacation. Affordable customs, sized to fit.

      Dogs and Cats

      Makes any door a pet door. Large and small pets go in and out without assistance.

      Apartments

      Originally invented for apartments and condos where screen doors are not allowed.

      Barns, Sheds & Outbuildings

      Turn a barn, shed, tack room or greenhouse into a bug-free zone.

      Don’t Be Fooled

      Not all magnetic screen doors are equal.

      The online reviews (including this independent video below) will tell you the cheaper instant screens like as seen on TV’s Magic Mesh, Mega Mesh and #1 Best Screen on Amazon are “Cheaply made in China,” “Made of netting, not real screen mesh,” “Falls apart quickly” and “Magnets are weak and fall off the screen.

      The cheaper screens take at least 30 minutes to install and attach to the face of the doorjamb with hook and loop fasteners and thumbtacks. This damages the door frame and looks terrible. These products may be slightly cheaper than Bug Off Screen, but ultimately cost customers more to replace.

      Watch Independent Comparison Video
      Bug Off Screen vs Cheaper China Made Screens

      Watch Follow Up Video – 6 months later
      Bug Off Screen Lasts Longer

      Bug Off Screen started the instant screen industry.

      More than 20 years on the market and we still use the most durable materials including USA screen mesh that won’t fall apart and high energy USA magnets that snap closed better. Our magnets are sewn onto the screen with strong webbing behind them, so they won’t fall off.

      Quick Tool-Free Installation

      Bug Off Screen installs like a screen curtain in about 5 minutes with an included spring tension rod. No tools are needed and there is no damage to the door frame. The screen attaches to the inside of the doorjamb, rather than the face for a clean, professional look.
      It’s so easy to install and remove, you can move it from door to door, or take it to your cabin or vacation home. Use it year-round or temporarily wherever you need it. Our space saving design allows for easy storage at season’s end.

      Standard and Custom Sizes

      Bug Off Screen works on all doors – single doors, double doors, sliding glass doors and French doors that open in, or out. See our list of 14 standard sizes. We also make affordable custom sizes for odd size doors and windows.

      Standard Sizes Chart –  French Door Size Chart – Custom Size Chart

      Magnetic, hands-free entry and exit

      Bug Off Screen Door is great for busy families with kids and pets. It’s also great for parties and BBQ’s, because you can walk through it like a screen curtain, with your hands full without worrying about closing the door. Powerful, center and bottom magnets automatically snap the screen closed, so you can be sure no one leaves the screen open to allow bugs in. Keep your doors open for natural cooling. Save money and energy while keeping the bugs out.

      Makes any door a pet door

      Your pets can let themselves in and out, so you don’t have to. No need for pet doors, or doggie doors. Both dogs and cats love Bug Off Screen. Large and small pets come and go as they please.

      Costs less than standard screens

      French door and tall door owners save hundreds. Standard French and tall screens cost $300 – $1200. Bug Off Screens cost $40 – $130. Bug Off is available in 14 standard sizes and custom sizes, making it perfect for French doors and patio doors.

      Standard Size Chart

      French Door Size Chart

      Custom Size Chart

      Great for renters

      Bug Off was originally invented for renters who live in apartments and condos where standard framed screen doors are often not permitted. Now you can have easy, affordable insect protection whether you live in a house, apartment or condo, or if you own, or rent. And if you move, you can take your Bug Off Screen with you.

      Our No-Questions-Asked Money Back Guarantee

      If you are not satisfied with your Bug Off Instant Screen Door return it for a no-questions-asked, no-hassle refund within 30 days (Returned screens must be in an “As-New” condition with all accessories in original packaging). We guarantee you will not find a better instant screen anywhere. Love it or your money back.

      Bug Off Screen is not a security door

      Bug Off magnetic screen doors are not security doors. Please do not use them if you want to keep children or small pets inside. We do not recommend using Bug Off Screen in high wind areas, which can prevent the screen from closing magnetically and require you to close it manually.

      Shipping Information |
      Email Questions |
      Order Now |
      Call (888)342-5270 for Questions/Orders

      Best Magnetic Screen Door | Door Magnetic Screen
      – YOTACHE

      Every year, there are about 720,000 people who die from mosquito bites around the world!

      More than 80 kinds of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes!
      Mosquitoes can damage the health of your family!

      Nothing is more important than health, please protect the health of your family!

      YOTACHE, keep mosquitoes away from your home!!!

      Show More

      • Custom Magnetic French Screen Door -L

        Custom Magnetic French Screen Door -L

        Regular price
        from $95. 95

        Sale price
        from $95.95

        Regular price

        $105.95

        Unit price
        /per 

        Sale

        Sold out

      • YOTACHE Custom Magnetic Screen Door -S

        YOTACHE Custom Magnetic Screen Door -S

        Regular price
        from $55.95

        Sale price
        from $55.95

        Regular price

        $65.95

        Unit price
        /per 

        Sale

        Sold out

      • YOTACHE Custom Window Screen -Used for Window

        YOTACHE Custom Window Screen -Used for Window

        Regular price
        from $45. 99

        Sale price
        from $45.99

        Regular price

        $49.95

        Unit price
        /per 

        Sale

        Sold out

      • White Fiberglass Magnetic Screen Door

        White Fiberglass Magnetic Screen Door

        Regular price
        from $45.99

        Sale price
        from $45.99

        Regular price

        Unit price
        /per 

        Sale

        Sold out

      • Magnetic Screen Door Installation Kit ,Nylon Hook and Tacks (3 Sets)

        Magnetic Screen Door Installation Kit ,Nylon Hook and Tacks (3 Sets)

        Regular price
        $36. 99

        Sale price
        $36.99

        Regular price

        Unit price
        /per 

        Sale

        Sold out

      • YOTACHE Custom Magnetic Thermal Cotton Insulation Curtain

        YOTACHE Custom Magnetic Thermal Cotton Insulation Curtain

        Regular price
        from $98.95

        Sale price
        from $98.95

        Regular price

        Unit price
        /per 

        Sale

        Sold out

      Using this for garage door house entry for animals. Didn’t want to cut whole on wall or door for pet accesses. During cool weather working well .Easy to put up and works well

      knwilli

      Great thickness and a nice added benefit to keep cold air out. Only negative seems to be the velcro pieces.. they always get caught when you’re trying to walk through and cause a tripping hazard.

      Nic

      My dog can go in and out of the front door without letting in all the bugs. The magnets work great so the screen snaps together as soon as you go through it. but definitely plan on buying another one for my back door.

      Jessica Nesbitt

      This magnetic screen door is amazing. My dog absolutely loves it . it works better than I thought it would. It took me a while to decide which size to order. looks great for my door

      Private

      This is my 2nd mesh screen order . I measured the doorway beforehand getting the nearest size possible. As with the previous one I got, the nails and general intention is for a wooden doorway.

      Roberta

      I wasn’t sure if I would like the look of this screen on my french doors, but because it’s a perfect fit, it actually even gives my sun room a softer look, but obviously still functional in keeping flies/bugs out

      Heather S

      While the doors are open. My dog can easily go out and back in the house as he pleases. I can let fresh air in without the annoyance of flies in the house. I’m definitely pleased with this purchase.

      Denise Howard

      With dogs, cats, and people going in and out of our back door all the time. This screen is made of noticeably stronger and denser mesh fabric. So far it shows no signs of wear

      Josh Kulyk

      I love this screen door. My son loves to spend time outside . I was able to install this on my own, I found it a lot easier to align the Velcro and then attach the screen to it.

      J. Levesque

      Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device

      Attaching a fly screen with magnets without drilling holes

      If you are looking for a flexible solution to attach fly screens to your windows, you have come to the right place.
      Find inspiration from three different projects where magnets serve as the mounting solution for the insect screens.
      Attaching fly screens with magnets offers you the following advantages:

      • You can quickly attach or remove the fly screen at any time.
      • You don’t have to awkwardly attach the mosquito netting to a hook and loop strip.
      • You can attach the fly screen without drilling any holes – a particularly tenant-friendly solution.

      Below, you will find instructions as well as tips and tricks on how to best attach fly screens with magnets.

      Table of Contents

        Attachment with magnetic tape

        Due to your current cookie settings, you cannot start the video. With consent to the data privacy statement, you can view this content.

        I agree that external content will be displayed to me. This allows personal data to be transmitted to third-party platforms. Find out more in our Data Privacy Statement.

        Attaching a fly screen made easy with magnetic tape! We show you how you can easily attach an insect screen to the window in a way that allows you to quickly remove and reattach it when needed – all without drilling any holes.

        Material needed

        • Self-adhesive magnetic tape, 3 cm wide
        • Fly screen
        • Fabric tape (also known as duct tape) in the colour of your choice
        • Folding yardstick
        • Scissors

        Step 1

        Measure the window with a folding yardstick or measuring tape.
        Then, cut the self-adhesive magnetic tape so you have 4 strips for the outside of the window and 4 strips for the fly screen.
        Glue the four magnetic strips from the outside around the window frame.
        Make sure the frame is clean and free of grease and press the magnetic tape firmly on the frame.
        Ideally, the adhesive of the magnetic tape should dry overnight to achieve the best possible adhesive performance.
        Only then should you put weight on the adhesive.

        Step 2

        To determine the measurements for the flyscreen, add 6 cm each to the measured length and width of the window.
        This allows you to attach the net to the 3 cm wide magnetic tape, leaving enough room for the window space.
        Cut the net to size and smooth it out on the floor.

        TIP:
        If possible, carry out the following steps on a carpet.
        It’s easy to smooth out the fly screen on a carpet and it stays in the desired shape.

        Step 3

        Now glue the four magnetic tape strips onto the fly screen and press on firmly.
        It may happen that the magnetic tapes on the fly screen and their counterparts on the window are not flush on top of each other.
        If you want to avoid that, test if they fit before Step 3.
        Shape the magnetic tape into a makeshift frame for your fly screen and place the individual tapes on the desired counterparts on the window frame.
        If two tapes are not flush on top of each other, just rotate the tape by 180 degrees.

        Step 4

        Place the fly screen including the magnetic tapes on the floor with the adhesive side of the magnetic tapes facing up.
        Glue the Ductape over the magnetic tapes and press it on firmly.
        Overhanging parts of the Ductape may be folded over or cut off.
        Now, the adhesive side of the magnetic tapes is protected from the elements.

        Step 5

        Finally, you only have to attach the magnetic fly screen to the window.
        For larger windows, it is advisable to have another person there to help you.

        With this practical magnetic solution, you can keep mosquitos, flies, and other insects out.
        And if you don’t need the fly screen, you can easily remove it and put it back on later.

        Please note: The adhesive of self-adhesive magnetic tapes may dissolve over time due to exposure to UV-rays and weather.
        Therefore, you need to be prepared to replace the tape after prolonged use.

        Mounting with glue-on magnets

        Addition from customer Bence Buday, Budapest (Hungary):

        I live on the seventh floor of an residential building in Budapest.
        During the summer it gets unbearably hot in the room, so I like to have the window open.
        If it wasn’t for the annoying mosquitos! They bugged me night after night, until I decided to do something about it and install a fly screen.

        My application has the following advantages:

        • You don’t have to drill any holes that can damage the insulation of the windows.
        • It is much easier to just glue the magnets on the window frame than embed them.
        • It takes two seconds to attach or remove the fly screen.
        • It is much cheaper than having a company install a custom-made screen.
        • It is fun!

        First, I built a wooden frame.
        Simple wooden slats from the home improvement store are suitable.
        Screw them together at a right angle and screw in a thin metal piece in four places.
        They are for attracting the magnets.

        Then I bought fabric for the fly screen and attached it to the frame with a staple gun.

        Then I glued four block magnets 15 x 15 x 3 mm
        on the outside of the window frame.
        I used your adhesive UHU MAX REPAIR.

        The adhesive had to dry over night.
        In order for the magnets to stay in place during that time, I placed another block magnet of the same type on the inside of the window.

        After it was dry, I could attach the screen to the window and do some advertising for you guys :-).
        The magnets attract the metal pieces and so the fly screen is fastened tightly on the window frame.
        The fly screen stays perfectly in place and keeps the annoying mosquitos out.

        Note from the supermagnete team:

        • Depending on the size and weight of the wooden frame, you should use more than four magnets (6 – 8 distributed evenly), so the frame stays in place even during strong winds.
        • Our magnets are made for dry indoor use.
          Extended outdoor use causes them to rust and lose their magnetisation.
          Therefore, it is best to treat the magnets with a rust-protective finish or use rubberised neodymium magnets,
          which are completely waterproof.
        • The UHU adhesive is extremely strong.
          The window frame may be damaged when you try to remove the magnets later.
          If you are a tenant, check to see if the magnets can stay on the window frame permanently.

        Mounting with countersunk magnets

        Addition from customer Thomas Hennemann, Harsum (Germany):

        Every year it’s the same story with these annoying fly screens on the windows.
        Everyone needs them but the process of getting them into or out of the window with the sticky Velcro strip brought me nearly to despair! Initial remedy from the hardware store: aluminum window frames (not exactly cheap) which can be adjusted to the size of the window.
        Unfortunately: mounting the frames is done with cheap plastic clips which not only damage the window seal but don’t even hold well.
        Once again despair!

        My idea: use a few super magnets instead to make the application and removal of the screens in Spring and Fall a fast and simple project.
        I purchased a standard fly screen (in my case from Windhager) at the hardware store.
        If the window-frame magnets are countersunk, they won’t be a problem when cleaning and still offer adequate hold in a limited amount of space.

        You then will need only 4 S-15-08-N
        disc magnets for the window frame and 4 Q-15-15-08-N
        cube magnets for the fly screen.
        To drill the holes in the window frame, you will also need a 15mm countersinking drill without a point (to ensure that you don’t mistakenly drill clear through the window frame).

        Measure the thickness of the window frame and drill your holes accordingly, but be careful not to drill clear through! In my case, the magnets will be a mere 5mm from each other when the fly screen is mounted.
        Place the S-15-08-N
        in the four holes (they are hardly visible).

        Tip: Use a scrap piece to check the correct polarisation and positioning of the cube magnets to ensure that the magnets in the window frame will attract to the magnets in the fly screen frame.
        (It will look rather silly and be very ineffective if the fly screen is pushed away from the window frame by a magnet facing the wrong direction 😉 ) Then measure the size of the fly screen frame and cut the pieces accordingly.

        Insert a piece of foam (in this case foam rubber) into each end of the horizontal frame pieces.
        This limits the space in which the magnet can move inside the frame.

        Then insert the magnet.
        The magnet should be able to move flexibly within it’s defined space so that it can position itself correctly when the fly screen is mounted.
        Finish constructing the fly screen.

        Hold the fly screen in front of the window.
        You will hear how the magnets slide into position and hold the screen in place.

        Once constrcted, you’ll never have a problem again with mounting or removing your fly screens.

        When my “government” gives the order: “The fly screens need to be put on!”, only 5 minutes later I’m once again in my garden chair enjoying a cigarette 🙂 .


        Frequently asked questions

        Attaching fly screens wit magnets is definitely among the most popular customer projects on our website.
        For that reason, we gathered the most commonly asked questions
        on our FAQ page.

        Materials (screens) for protection against magnetic and electromagnetic fields

        Home → Science → Developments → Functional and nanostructured materials, coatings → Materials (screens) for protection against magnetic and electromagnetic fields

        Applications:

        • Electronics.
        • Energy.
        • Construction.
        • Medicine.

        Applications:

        • Shielding of residential and non-residential areas.
        • Shielding of transformer stations.
        • Construction of magnetically shielded rooms for research centers.
        • Shielding of power cables, creation of cable channels.
        • Shielded boxes for biomedical research.
        • Protective clothing for welding.

        Purpose:

        • Protection of electronic equipment, computer equipment, precision
          instrument complexes and biological objects from the magnetic field
          industrial frequency and the electromagnetic field of the radio frequency range.

        Power frequency shields

        Description:

        This
        the type of screens is used when it is necessary to exclude the influence
        magnetic field on sensitive elements of electronic equipment, as well as on
        biological objects. The principle of protection is to close the power lines
        magnetic field in the thickness of the material and the exclusion of their penetration from the external
        space inside a closed volume or from a closed volume to an external
        space.

        FSUE “TsNII KM “Prometey” developed technology
        production of such screens in the form of flexible sheets of amorphous and
        nanocrystalline soft magnetic alloys that have passed a special
        thermomagnetic treatment.

        Specifications:

        • Width – 5 to 50 cm;
        • Length – up to 150 m;
        • Thickness of one layer – from 20 to 30 microns.
        • Weight 1 m 2 in single layer
          version – less than 0.3 kg
        • Screening factor in the frequency range (50 – 1000 Hz) * – from
          10 to 1000.

          *depends on magnetic field strength and shield construction.

        Benefits

        • There is a sanitary and epidemiological
          the conclusion of the FGUZ “Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in St. Petersburg” that
          that the shielding material complies with state sanitary
          epidemiological rules and regulations.

        • Compared to conventional shielding materials (permalloy,
          ferrites, etc. ), the shielding efficiency is significantly higher with
          provided that the same amount of magnetic material is used.

        • Developed screens are more technological and easy to use for
          due to small thickness and flexibility, as well as less sensitive to
          mechanical stress.

        Proposals for cooperation:

        • Technical and technological documentation for the technology
          production of screens of magnetic fields of industrial frequency.
        • Adaptation of technology to the requirements of the Customer.
        • Joint development of new types of screens. Manufacturing and supply
          products.

        Electromagnetic Shields

        Description:

        Similar
        screens are used in cases where, to protect technical means or
        biological objects, it is necessary to ensure the absence of reflected
        electromagnetic wave or high attenuation in the thickness of the material.

        Screens
        are made in the form of sheet metal-dielectric composite
        filled with amorphous and nanocrystalline soft magnetic powder
        alloy (obtaining powder using UDD technology).

        Manufactured in single layer or
        multilayer functionally graded composites, cellular and volumetric
        porous structures of the interference type.

        Screens are available in respectively
        two modifications: shielding and absorbing types.

        Issued for developed materials
        specifications TU 38L405-365-2004

        Specifications:

        • Width up to 25 cm.
        • Length – up to 25 cm.
        • Thickness of one layer – from 1 to 15 mm.
        • Fractional composition of amorphous powder – from 3 to 200 microns.
        • Weight 1 m 2 shield – from 3
          up to 45 kg.
        • EMF attenuation coefficient (1 – 1000 MHz) – more
          10 dB/mm.
        • Power reflection coefficient (1 – 1000 MHz) – less than 10 dB.

        Benefits:

        Significantly wider shielding range and
        absorption of electromagnetic radiation.

        Legal protection: Patents of the Russian Federation:

        • “Composite material for protection against electromagnetic radiation”;
        • “Method
          obtaining a magnetic and electromagnetic screen”;
        • “Amorphous alloy for casting
          microwires”;
        • “Power cable with electromagnetic shield”;
        • “Shielded box with protection against external electromagnetic influence
          internal volume”;
        • “Method of obtaining a composite powder magnetic
          system material”;
        • “Ferromagnetic-Diamagnetic”.

        Proposals for cooperation:

        • Technical and technological documentation for screen manufacturing technology
          electromagnetic fields.
        • Adaptation of technology to the requirements of the Customer.
        • Joint development of new types of screens.
        • Manufacture and supply of products.
        • Supply of batches of powders.

        Request form

        You can send a request for this development by filling out the following form:

        Contact person (full name)
        *

        Organization name
        *

        Organization profile

        Email mail *

        Phone (+x xxx xxxxxxx)

        Your request
        *

        Your comments

        * required fields

        Magnetic shielding – Encyclopedia of Physics fields (permanent
        and variables).

        Modern
        research in a number of areas of science (physics, geology, paleontology, biomagnetism)
        and technology (space research, nuclear energy, materials science) often
        associated with measurements of very weak magnets. fields ~10 -14 -10 -9
        TL in a wide frequency range. External magnetic fields (for example, the field of the Earth
        TL with noise
        Tl, magn. noises
        from electric networks and urban transport) create strong interference with the work
        highly sensitive. magnetometric equipment. Reducing the influence of magnetic. fields in
        a strong degree determines the possibility of holding a magnet. measurements (see, for example,
        Magnetic fields of biological objects ). Among the methods of M. e. most
        the following are common.

        Shielding action hollow
        a cylinder of ferromagnetic material
        ( 1 – outer surface of the cylinder, 2 – inner surface). residual
        magnetic
        field inside the cylinder

        Ferromagnetic shield
        – a sheet, a cylinder, a sphere (or a shell of some other form) from a material with a high
        magnetic permeability m low residual induction V r and low coercive force H with . The operating principle of such
        screen can be illustrated by the example of a hollow cylinder placed in a homogeneous
        magn. field (fig.). Induction lines ext. magn. fields B ext with
        transition from the environment with
        into the screen material noticeably thicken, and in the cavity of the cylinder the density of induction lines
        decreases, i.e., the field inside the cylinder is weakened. Weakening
        fields are described by f-loy

        where D – diameter
        cylinder, d – its wall thickness,
        – magn. permeability of the wall material. For calculation of efficiency M. e. volumes
        dec. configurations often use f-lu

        where
        – the radius of the equivalent sphere (practically compare the value of the screen size in three
        mutually perpendicular
        directions, since the shape of the screen has little effect on the efficiency of M. e.).

        From formulas (1) and (2) it follows,
        that the use of materials with high magnetic. permeability
        [such as permalloy (36-85% Ni, the rest Fe and alloying additions) or mu-metal
        (72-76% Ni, 5% Cu, 2% Cr, 1% Mn, the rest Fe)] significantly improves the quality
        screens (in iron).
        A seemingly obvious way to improve shielding by thickening the wall
        not optimal. Multi-layer screens with gaps between
        layers, for to-ryh coefficient. shielding
        is equal to the product of the coefficient. for dep. layers. It is multilayer screens (external layers
        from magn. materials that saturate at high values ​​of to internal
        – from permalloy or mu-metal) form the basis of the designs of magnetically protected
        rooms for biomagnetic, paleomagnetic, etc. studies. It should be noted,
        that the use of protective materials such as permalloy is associated with a number of difficulties,
        in particular with the fact that their magn. properties under deformations and means. heating
        deteriorate, they practically do not allow welding, which means. bends, etc. mechanical.
        loads. In modern magn. screens are widely used ferromagnet. metal
        glasses
        (metglasses), close in magnetic. properties to permalloy, but not so
        sensitive to mechanical influences. Cloth woven from strips of metglass,
        allows the manufacture of soft magnets. free-form screens, but multi-layered
        shielding with this material is much simpler and cheaper.

        Material shields
        with high electrical conductivity
        (Cu, A1, etc.) are used to protect against variable
        magn. fields. When changing external magn. fields in the walls of the screen appear induction.
        currents, to-rye cover the shielded volume. Magn. the field of these currents is directed
        opposite ext. perturbation and partially compensates for it. For frequencies above
        1 Hz factor shielding K grows in proportion to the frequency:

        where
        magnetic constant ,
        – electrical conductivity of the wall material, L – screen size,
        – wall thickness, f – circular frequency.

        Mag. screens from Cu and A1
        less efficient than ferromagnetic, especially in the case of low-frequency e-mag.
        fields, but ease of manufacture and low cost often make them more preferable
        in application.

        Superconducting screens . The action of screens of this type is based on the Meissner effect – a complete
        displacement of the magnet. fields from a superconductor. With any change in external magn. flow
        currents arise in superconductors, which, in accordance with Lenz’s rule , compensate for these changes. Unlike ordinary conductors in superconductors
        induction currents do not decay and therefore compensate for the change in flux during the entire
        time of existence of ext. fields. The fact that superconducting screens
        can work at very low temp-pax and fields not exceeding critical. values
        (see Critical magnetic field ), leads to significant difficulties
        when designing large magnetically protected “warm” volumes.
        However, the discovery of oxide high-temperature superconductors (OHS),
        made by J. Bednorz and K. Müller (J. G. Bednorz, K. A. Miiller, 1986), creates
        new possibilities in the use of superconducting magnets. screens. Apparently
        after overcoming the technological difficulties in the manufacture of OVS, will be applied
        superconducting screens made of materials that become superconductors at temperature
        boiling nitrogen (and in the future, perhaps at room temperature).

        Please note that inside
        magnetically protected by a superconductor volume, the residual field is preserved,
        existing in it at the moment of transition of the screen material to the superconducting state.
        To reduce this residual field, it is necessary to take special. measures. For example,
        transfer the screen to a superconducting state at a small compared to the earth
        magn. field in the protected volume or use the method of “inflated screens”,
        at which the shell of the screen in the folded form is transferred to the superconducting state,
        and then straightens out. Such measures allow, for the time being, in small volumes, limited
        superconducting screens, reduce the residual fields to the value
        Tl.

        Active anti-jamming is carried out using compensating coils that create a magnetic. field,
        equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the interference field. Algebraically
        when added together, these fields cancel each other out. Naib. famous Helmholtz coils,
        which are two identical coaxial circular current-carrying coils, moved apart
        over a distance equal to the radius of the coils. Sufficiently homogeneous magnetic. the field is created
        in the middle between them. To compensate for three spaces. components need
        at least three pairs of coils. There are many variants of such systems, and the choice of them
        determined by specific requirements.

        Active protection system,
        typically used to suppress low-frequency interference (in the frequency range 0-50 Hz).
        One of her appointments is post compensation. magn. fields of the Earth, for which it is necessary
        highly stable and powerful current sources; the second is compensation for magnetic variations.
        fields, for which weaker current sources controlled by
        magnetic sensors. fields, eg. magnetometers high sensitivity –
        squids or fluxgates . To a large extent, the completeness of compensation is determined by
        with these sensors.

        There is an important difference
        active protection against magnetic. screens. Magn. screens eliminate noise in the entire volume,
        limited screen, while active protection eliminates interference only in
        local area.

        All suppression systems
        magn. interference need anti-vibration. protection. Vibration of screens and magnetic sensors.
        fields itself can become a source of complements. interference.

        Ref: Rose-Ince A.,
        Roderick E., Introduction to the physics of superconductivity, trans. from English, M., 1972; Stamberger
        G. A., Devices for creating weak constant magnetic fields, Novosib.,
        1972; Vvedensky V. L., Ozhogin V. I., Supersensitive magnetometry and biomagnetism,
        M., 1986; Bednorz J. G., Muller K. A., Possible high Tc superconductivity in
        the Ba-La-Cr-O system, “Z. Phys.”, 1986, Bd 64, S. 189. S. P.
        Naurzakov
        .

        Subject index
        >>

        Magnetic shield and method for its manufacture

        The group of inventions relates to the field of radio electronics and electrical engineering and can be used both to reduce the radiation of a device by shielding it, and to reduce interference from an external magnetic field on sensors. The magnetic screen consists of parts fastened together in the form of rolls of soft magnetic tape, the winding axis of which is perpendicular to the end surfaces, while the internal cavity of the magnetic screen is formed by flat sections of the rolls and axially shifted turns of the tape. The technical result is an increase in the shielding factor and a decrease in losses when working in strong variable fields. 2 n. and 2 z.p. f-ly, 6 ill.

        The present invention relates to the fields of radio electronics and electrical engineering and can be used both to reduce the radiation of a device by shielding it, and to reduce interference from an external magnetic field on sensors, for example, current when they are placed in the proposed magnetic shield.

        Magnetic screens are known, for example, for toroidal current sensors [1], the parts of which are made by stamping. To do this, a flat billet is cut from sheet metal with high magnetic permeability, which is then drawn on powerful presses using a punch and matrix specially made of high-strength steel, which determine the shape of the magnetic screen. After such an operation, the magnetic properties of the metal fall catastrophically, and, as a rule, thermomagnetic treatment is required to restore them. Such a manufacturing method is expensive, and the screens themselves, due to the inevitable decrease in magnetic permeability, even when using permalloys, do not have a high screening factor. In addition, during the operation of screens made of solid sheet materials in alternating magnetic fields, eddy currents arise and they heat up.

        Also known are magnetic screens described in the patent [2] and taken as a prototype, the details of which – the base, the cover, the outer wall, and, if necessary, the inner wall – are rolls of soft magnetic tape, wound in accordance with the required shape of the screen. The parts fastened together form a magnetic shield, the structure of which is strengthened by impregnation with varnishes or epoxy resins or by welding.

        The manufacturing process of the described screens is simple, since all screen parts are made on winding machines, and therefore they are inexpensive to manufacture. The use of tapes made of transformer steel, and especially of amorphous or nanocrystalline alloys with extremely high magnetic permeability, can significantly increase the shielding factor. This is also facilitated by the multi-turn nature of the screen parts, the operation of which is similar to multi-wall screens. In addition, the tape, laminated in the section, the structure allows you to reduce eddy currents and reduce losses in the screen when it works in alternating magnetic fields.

        However, the considered magnetic shields have the following disadvantages. When joining parts during assembly, taking into account their number, it is inevitable to obtain at least two non-magnetic gaps in screens without an inner wall and four with an inner wall. The presence of non-magnetic gaps limits in practice the value of the achievable shielding factor. In addition, non-magnetic gaps increase significantly due to warping if, after winding, the parts are thermomagnetically treated to increase the magnetic permeability. In addition, when joining the screen parts, the turns of the wall roll are short-circuited with the turns of the base and the cover, which leads to the appearance of short-circuited circuits equal in height to the wall, and, as a result, to additional losses and heating when working in alternating magnetic fields.

        The objectives to be solved by the present invention are to increase the shielding factor and reduce losses and, consequently, the operating temperature when operating in strong alternating magnetic fields, as well as simplify and reduce the cost of magnetic shield manufacturing technology.

        The tasks in the present invention are solved due to the fact that the magnetic screen is made up of parts fastened together in the form of rolls of soft magnetic tape, the winding axis of which is perpendicular to the end surfaces, while the internal cavity of the magnetic screen is formed by flat sections of the rolls and turns of the tape shifted in the axial direction. The method for manufacturing such a magnetic screen consists in creating a model of the internal cavity of the magnetic screen in the form of a punch and a matrix, manufacturing blanks from a magnetically soft material, from which magnetic screen details are then extruded using a punch and a matrix. At the same time, blanks are made in the form of rolls wound from a tape of magnetically soft material, the width of which corresponds to a given thickness of the magnetic screen on its flat sections, and the parts are formed by shifting the turns of the rolls in the axial direction. Winding rolls in areas corresponding to a sharp change in the relief of the internal cavity of the magnetic screen, for example, to form walls, it is advisable to produce a magnetically soft tape of greater width and with reduced tension.

        In the proposed design of the magnetic shield, the number of parts and, accordingly, the number of non-magnetic gaps is reduced, which increases the shielding factor. There are also no short-circuited circuits, since each part is connected to the other on only one side, which reduces losses when working in strong alternating fields. The technology with the described manufacturing method is greatly simplified both due to the reduction in the number of parts and the reduction in equipment requirements. Parts blanks are produced on conventional winding machines. No powerful presses are required during molding, since this is done by shifting the turns of the rolls, almost a simple hand pressure on the punch is enough. The punch and the matrix can even be made of plastic, because they practically do not experience a force load.

        The essence of the invention is illustrated by drawings with two versions of the magnetic shield, for example, for the toroidal core of the current sensor.

        Fig. 1 shows a magnetic screen assembly, made up of two identical parts in the form of covers, made according to the proposed manufacturing method.

        Fig. 2 shows a simplified version of the magnetic screen, in which the bottom cover is replaced by a roll of tape.

        Fig. 3 … 6 illustrate the proposed method for manufacturing a magnetic screen in a simplified way: in Fig. 3 shows the punch, Fig. 4 – blank in the form of a roll of tape, in Fig. 5 – matrix, in Fig. 6 – the result of forming a part of the magnetic screen – a cover in a section.

        The magnetic shield for a toroidal current sensor can be, for example, a connection of two identical parts-covers 1 and 2, as shown in FIG. 1. Each of these parts is a roll of tape, and the method of making them is described below.

        One of the parts can be replaced, for example, with a roll of tape 3 (Fig. 2), but in all cases the parts of the magnetic screen have contact with the other part only on one side, which eliminates the occurrence of short-circuited contours along the walls of the covers.

        For the manufacture of a magnetic screen, a model of its internal cavity or part of it is created in the form of a punch (Fig. 3) and a matrix corresponding to it (Fig. 5). The tooling in the drawings is shown in a simplified way, without guides and other necessary elements. Fixed on the plate 4 forming element punch 5 (Fig. 3) must correspond to the internal cavity of the magnetic screen or part of it. There are no high requirements for the material of punch 5 in terms of mechanical strength and wear resistance, since the formation of parts from blanks is carried out by shifting turns, and in the simplest case it can be both plastic and wood. The same applies to the matrix in Fig. 4.

        Manufacturing process of blank 6 of FIG. 4 consists in winding a soft magnetic tape around the OO axis on a mandrel, not shown in the drawing, on a winding machine. The shape of the mandrel and the resulting roll of tape must match the shape of the inner cavity of the magnetic shield. Shown in FIG. 4, a roll in the form of a ring corresponds to a magnetic screen in the form of a body of revolution with a hole in the center, as in FIG. 1. In principle, magnetic screens with and without a hole in the center, in the form of bodies of revolution and in the form of parallelepipeds, etc. can be made in this way.

        The width of the tape when winding the roll must be equal to the thickness of the magnetic shield in its flat areas. In places of a sharp change in the relief of the screen, for example, to increase the thickness of steeply dipping walls, it is advisable to wind the winding with a magnetic tape of a larger width in the corresponding places of the roll. In addition, in order to facilitate the shift of the turns of the tape in these areas of the formation of the magnetic shield, it is recommended to wind with less tension.

        Soft Magnetic Reel Tape can be made of transformer iron or amorphous or nanocrystalline alloys. A ribbon made of AMET-84LKhSR amorphous alloy [3] makes it possible to obtain, without heat treatment, the magnetic permeability of the magnetic screen material up to 140,000.

        The process of forming parts 1 and 2 of the magnetic shield consists in pressing along the axial line OO of the punch 5 into the blank 6 inserted into the matrix 7, as shown in Fig. 6. The resulting parts 1 and 2 are then fixed by varnish impregnation, epoxy resins or welding. The entire magnetic screen is fastened in the same way after assembly.

        Magnetic screens, made by the proposed method, can have an internal shielded cavity in the form of a torus, made up of two parts (Fig. 1) or from one molded part and the second unmolded in the form of a roll (Fig. 2). In the embodiment of FIG. 2 cover 1 can be installed not on roll 2, but on the chassis or body of the device. The internal cavity of magnetic screens can be completely closed and represent a cone or a pyramid, truncated or not, a sphere composed of two hemispheres, a cylinder or a cube, etc.

        SOURCES OF INFORMATION

        1. Patent WO 2012025859.

        2. Patent RU 2546995.

        3. www.amet.ru.

        1. Magnetic screen, consisting of parts fastened together in the form of rolls of soft magnetic tape, the winding axis of which is perpendicular to the end surfaces, characterized in that the inner cavity of the magnetic screen is formed by flat sections of the rolls and axially shifted turns of the tape.

        2. A method for manufacturing a magnetic screen, which consists in creating a mock-up of the internal cavity of the magnetic screen in the form of a punch and a matrix, manufacturing blanks from a magnetically soft material, from which magnetic shield parts are then extruded using a punch and a matrix, characterized in that the blanks are made in the form rolls wound from a tape of soft magnetic material, the width of which corresponds to a given thickness of the magnetic screen on its flat sections, and the formation of parts is carried out by shifting the turns of the roll in the axial direction.

        3. A method for manufacturing a magnetic screen according to claim 2, characterized in that the winding of rolls in areas corresponding to a sharp change in the relief of the internal cavity of the magnetic screen is carried out with a soft magnetic tape of greater width.

        4. A method for manufacturing a magnetic shield according to claim 2, characterized in that the winding of rolls in areas corresponding to a sharp change in the relief of the internal cavity of the magnetic shield is carried out with reduced tension.

        Scientists have improved the most popular MRI coil with an artificial magnetic shield

        It happens that in science or engineering a concept has been established that is practically not questioned. It seems that it is no longer possible to make improvements or completely change it. However, at some point, researchers prove that this is still possible. Thus, the research group, which was based on ITMO University employees, decided to challenge a number of established ideas about the design of existing MRI machines.

        In general, a magnetic resonance tomograph consists of a chamber where the patient is placed, a permanent superconducting magnet with a gradient system, and the so-called radio frequency coils – antennas that create a circularly polarized radio frequency magnetic field (excitation), the response of the patient’s body tissues to which (if there is also strong constant magnetic field) creates a tomographic image. This response is received either by other coils or by the same coil operating in the transmit/receive mode.

        In most existing MRI machines with a superconducting magnet, a birdcage coil, which consists of two metal rings periodically connected by parallel conductors, is used to excite a nuclear magnetic resonance signal. This wire cylinder is placed concentrically in the MRI chamber.

        In order for the coil to work and provide uniform images, it must be shielded from external superconducting magnet systems. Therefore, the walls of the chamber of the apparatus are sheathed with specially structured copper sheets, which act as an electrical screen. The wire barrel of the birdcage coil is located within the metal barrel of the chamber, so there is usually a significant distance between them, narrowing the already narrow patient space. In this case, the coil creates the most homogeneous radio frequency magnetic field, which is necessary for the formation of a correct image. But it also has some pretty significant drawbacks.

        “The inside of the MRI camera is made of metal. On a smooth metal surface, the electric field is zero. This means that if you insert a cylindrical wire coil with a diameter equal to the screen diameter into this cylindrical chamber, it will not radiate,” says Konstantin Simovsky, chief researcher at the New Physicotechnical Institute at ITMO University. “If you reduce its diameter so that the wires of the coil are a few centimeters away from the metal cylinder of the chamber, such a coil will start to radiate, but badly. As long as you do not take it away from the screen at a distance equal to one fourth of the wavelength, the effect of the metal cylinder of the camera on the radiation will remain negative.

        As the scientist notes, it is structurally impossible to arrange such a large gap despite the fact that the wavelength at the frequencies of nuclear magnetic resonance is several meters. Usually this gap is 4-5 cm in radius. At the same time, the influence of the camera remains negative, but more or less acceptable.

        “The patient, as is easy to understand, is placed inside the coil. As a result of the compromise between patient comfort and the efficiency of the RF coil, the patient space is quite narrow and the efficiency of the coil is low. This applies to conventional tomographs, where the constant magnetic field is 3 T. And in promising magnetic tomographs with a higher constant field (7 T), the “birdcage” stops working altogether,” says Konstantin Simovsky.

        Magnetic instead of electrical

        But what if we replace the electrical screen with some other one that would also isolate the coil from the magnet, and at the same time would not interfere with its operation? For example, replace it with such a screen, on the surface of which there is no electric, but a magnetic field. This is exactly the idea proposed by scientists from ITMO University when applying for a grant from the Russian Science Foundation.

        An experimental birdcage coil surrounded by an artificial magnetic shield. Photo provided by scientists

        “When the application was written, there was an opinion among scientists who are engaged in improving the birdcage that the magnetic shield is harmful for this type of coil,” explains Konstantin Simovsky. “Numerical simulations have shown that if we replace the metal inner surface with a so-called ideal magnetic shield, whose properties do not depend on frequency, then instead of improving, we will get antenna degradation — an increase in radiation will be accompanied by an increase in harmful energy losses of the emitted signal. However, we in our team realized that, since the ideal magnetic wall is an abstraction, it is wrong to draw conclusions about the operation of the antenna in the presence of a magnetic shield implemented in practice, based on the parameters of an ideal one.

        As a result, the scientists calculated the interaction between the “birdcage” and a cylindrical corrugated surface filled with high-quality ceramics, which is a metasurface with frequency-dependent properties. However, at the MRI frequency, it has the properties of a magnetic screen and, in comparison with a conventional screen, makes it possible to achieve both an increase in radiation and an increase in the diameter of the coil. In this case, the losses increase slightly, and the efficiency of the coil increases. This idea formed the basis of the project.

        Due to its small thickness (2 cm at wavelengths of a meter or more), the structure proposed by scientists is called an artificial metamaterial surface, in short, a metasurface. Metasurfaces are already being used in modern radar, directional antennas for 5G, and other technologies. Now for the first time they are proposed to be used as part of the most popular MRI coil.

        Konstantin Simovsky and Ksenia Lezhennikova at Aalto University (Finland). Photo provided by scientists

        More room for the patient

        The use of a screen in the form of a metasurface will help not only improve the performance of the coil, but also make the examination itself more comfortable. After all, the patient chamber is so narrow, because the diameter of the superconducting magnet is limited by existing technologies. In addition, to maintain the operation of the coil, it is necessary to maintain a technological distance between it and the screen.

        “The ability to expand the patient’s space is the most important task, and the developers are fighting for every centimeter and millimeter to move the coils to the screen,” says Stanislav Glybovsky, senior researcher at the New Physicotechnical Institute at ITMO University. “But the more we expand the coil by pushing its wires against the metal walls of the MRI chamber, the worse it works. Coating the walls with a metasurface promised the ability to maximize the expansion of the coil while maintaining its efficiency.

        Stanislav Glybovsky. Source: ITMO University press service

        The researchers carried out the necessary calculations, then the scientists managed to develop and create the desired metasurface. For this, rings made of high-quality microwave ceramics based on calcium titanate produced by the St. Petersburg company OOO Keramika were used. Next, the structure had to be tested in real tomographs, with the help of colleagues from France.

        Experiments in Paris

        An experimental platform for testing the St. Petersburg development was provided by partners from France as part of the international M-Cube project, supported by the Horizon 2020 program. The screen itself was assembled at the Fresnel Institute in Marseille and tested at the Neurospin Research Institute in Paris.

        “I made the necessary calculations and simulations, then an experiment was conducted with a small coil, identical in principle to the coil for large MRI machines for human research,” says Ksenia Lezhennikova, a student at ITMO University. “The manufactured parts of the coil were assembled in Marseille by me together with my French colleagues, and then the finished screen was transported to Paris. Studies were carried out in a seven-tesla tomograph with our artificial screen and, for comparison, with a conventional metal screen. At the same time, there were samples inside that imitated the properties of a living object. The results are in good agreement with our calculations.”

        Assembly and adjustment of an artificial magnetic screen for MRI in Marseille, Dr. Redha Abdeddaim (Fresnel Institute) and Ksenia Lezhennikova (ITMO University). Photo provided by scientists

        Tests on a small coil showed that the proposed metasurface works as it should, improving the performance of the tomograph.

        “Depending on the size of the sample placed on the coil, we can increase the efficiency by 20-100%. The smaller the sample compared to the diameter of the coil, the greater the gain: for example, in a coil for a leg or arm, the increase in efficiency can reach a factor of two. Or, using a similar approach while maintaining efficiency, we can expand the chamber for the patient’s body by bringing the coil close to the screen – the diameter of the chamber can increase by six centimeters, ”explains Stanislav Glybovsky.

        Another problem that can be solved is the use of CT scanners for small patients, he adds. If a child is placed in a conventional MRI instead of an adult, then the characteristics of the coil deteriorate. According to Glybovsky, using a screen developed by ITMO University specialists, in this case, they practically do not change.

        The results of the work were described in an article in the journal Physical Review Applied , which was awarded an Editor’s Choice.

        Plans

        The next step is work on increasing the size of the coil for human scanning, in particular, coils for the head. These works are already being actively carried out by researchers.

        “Now we are working with the next coil, which already has clinical use,” says Ksenia Lezhennikova. “Our screen allows you to make the coil 30% larger in diameter, which is much more comfortable, and at the same time, the efficiency of the coil did not decrease, but turned out to be higher thanks to our screen. The result will be described in the next article, which we plan to publish before the end of the year.”

        Tags

        Engineering

        Fullerene C60 found unexpectedly large magnetism

        Physics

        Complexity
        6.8

        Yaakov Y. Fein et al. / Physical Review Letters, 2022

        Austrian physicists passed cesium atoms, organic radical molecules and several different fullerenes through a Talbot-Lau material wave interferometer. The Stern-Gerlach deviation allowed them to estimate the magnetic properties of all particles. As a result, the authors found a previously unobserved strong magnetism in fullerene C60, which they explained by the rotation of this molecule as a whole. The study was published in Physical Review Letters .

        The study of the magnetism of individual atoms played an important role in the development of modern quantum mechanics. The turning point in this story was the experiments described by Otto Stern and carried out by Walter Gerlach. In these experiments, silver atoms flew through a non-uniform magnetic field. According to the classical picture of the world, the magnetic moment of an atom, associated with the rotation of electrons in their orbits, can be oriented in any way, and therefore the atoms must be continuously distributed over the screen. Instead, only a discrete set of dots formed on the screen, which proved the quantization of the orbital momentum, as well as the existence of a quantized spin.

        Quantum spin mechanics turned out to be a very fruitful direction. She was able to explain not only the magnetic properties of single particles, but also magnetic phenomena in condensed media, such as ferromagnetism. At the same time, the Stern-Gerlach mechanism remains a convenient working tool for experimenters to this day. With its help, physicists separate spin states in a Bose condensate and propose to produce spin-polarized metastable matter. The deflection of the trajectory of particles in space under the influence of magnetic gradients has found application in the interferometry of matter waves. Such interferometers are considered by scientists as precise sensors sensitive to the properties of the medium in which particles fly.

        Now physicists at the University of Vienna, led by Markus Arndt, have gone further and used material wave interference to measure the magnetic properties of the particles themselves. They used a Talbot-Lau interferometer with a built-in magnetic field gradient through which beams of particles of various sizes and shapes were passed, ranging from atoms to fullerenes. In the latter case, scientists recorded an unusual magnetic response, which was explained using the quantum rotation of molecular polyhedra.

        The Talbot-Lau interferometer consists of three diffraction gratings. The first one serves to form an array of point wave sources, the radiation from which diffracts on the second grating. Unlike most spectrometers, where physicists deal with Fraunhofer diffraction, that is, radiation in the far field, the Talbot-Lau scheme uses a complex interference pattern (also called the “Talbot carpet”) in the near field. It is important that at some distance from the second diffraction grating, the “Talbot carpet” forms its image, which is read by the third grating moving in the focal plane.

        Scheme of operation of the Talbot-Lau interferometer on optical gratings. Between the second and third gratings, a “Talbot carpet” appears.

        Alan Stonebraker and K. Hornberger et al. / Reviews of Modern Physics, 2012

        Share

        Due to the specifics of working with different types of particles, individual elements of the scheme built by physicists were different. To work with atoms, they used nanomechanical gratings with a period of 266 nanometers, while for molecules, optical gratings formed by a laser at a wavelength of 532 nanometers were more suitable. The sources of an inhomogeneous magnetic field placed between the second and third lattices also differed: for atoms, anti-Helmholtz coils were used, for molecules, the authors used permanent magnets.

        In total, physicists studied five types of particles: cesium-133 atoms, organic radicals TEMPO, and fullerenes C60, C70 and 12 C69 13 C, the last of which contained an unpaired nuclear spin in the isotope. The study consisted in constructing the visibility curve of the interference pattern depending on the magnetic field gradient, which was controlled by the current in the case of atoms and the position of the magnets in the case of molecules. For each experiment, scientists tried to build a model of the magnetism of the particles that describe the experimental curve.

        Thus, the atomic theory was based on the splitting of energy levels in a magnetic field (the Zeeman effect), due to which states with different projections of the total moment (and, consequently, projections of the magnetic moment) acquired a different phase. The behavior of the radicals was well described by an intermediate model that took into account both the magnetic moment of the unpaired electron and the magnetic moment induced by the field.

        The C70 fullerene showed diamagnetic deflection, while its isotopic counterpart showed a stronger response due to the unpaired spin. However, physicists were most surprised by the fullerene C60, whose response turned out to be two orders of magnitude greater than that prescribed by the mechanism based only on its diamagnetic effect. It turned out that what we saw can be explained if we take into account the mechanical rotation of the fullerene as a single whole around an axis coinciding with the direction of the field.