Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

A sensitive optically detected magnetic compass for animals

¹Clarendon Laboratory, Oxford, U.K.

Proceedings. Biological Sciences

|March 22, 1996

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The behaviour of ions in narrow water-filled pores.

Bioscience reports·1999

Same author

A novel explanation for fluctuations of ion current through narrow pores.

FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·1997

Same author

Linear electric traction as an alternative model of the actin/myosin motor.

Journal of theoretical biology·1996

Same author

Rapid switching of ion current in narrow pores: implications for biological ion channels.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·1993

Same author

Correlated ion flux through parallel pores: application to channel subconductance states.

The Journal of membrane biology·1993

Same author

Carrier-like behaviour from a static but electrically responsive model pore.

Journal of theoretical biology·1992

Same journal

Chronic limb loading results in remarkable load carriage economy in growing fowl.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026

Same journal

Motion-from-structure in face perception: expectations of natural face motion depend on face shape.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026

Same journal

Unification and generalization of models of zygote survival.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026

Same journal

Phenological type- and diameter-dependent effects of individual light availability and interannual climate variation on tree growth.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026

Same journal

Interaction range of common goods shapes Black Queen dynamics beyond the cheater-cooperator narrative.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026

Same journal

Stingray spine diversity reflects performance trade-offs linked to puncture and breakability.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026

See all related articles

A novel magnetic compass model utilizing ferrimagnetic crystals in liquid crystals demonstrates potential for animal navigation. This biomimetic compass offers optical detection, aligning with observed animal magnetic senses.

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Animal Navigation
Magnetoreception

Background:

Recent studies suggest animal magnetic compasses may be located in the eye.
Understanding the biophysical mechanisms of magnetoreception is crucial for explaining animal navigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose and experimentally validate a novel biophysical model for an animal magnetic compass.
To investigate the role of ferrimagnetic crystals in liquid crystals for magnetic sensing.

Main Methods:

Incorporation of ferrimagnetic single-domain crystals into a nematic liquid crystal droplet.
Optical detection methods to observe the compass output.
Comparison of model predictions with known properties of natural animal compasses.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

A highly sensitive magnetic compass was successfully formed using ferrimagnetic crystals in liquid crystals.
Experimental evidence supports the proposed model for magnetic compass function.
The model's predicted properties align with observed behaviors in natural animal navigation.

Conclusions:

Ferrimagnetic crystals within liquid crystals provide a viable physical basis for a sensitive magnetic compass.
This model offers a potential explanation for the location and function of magnetic compasses in animal eyes.
Further experiments can validate this biomimetic model for animal magnetoreception.