Electricity is known to play a role in the creation of different forms of magnetism. For example, lightning strikes are believed to have a part in the inception of natural magnetic material, like lodestones. At the same time, you can't have an electromagnet without electricity. Now, however, there's evidence that heat could be used to create magnetic fields. This is somewhat significant, as extreme heat, as well as extreme cold, have traditionally been bad for strong magnets. Want to see how temperature can affect your magnets? Try out this experiment.  The problem with heat Essentially, extreme temperatures and magnets don't mix. The hotter a magnet gets, the weaker it becomes. According to the Department of Physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the more thermal energy a magnet takes on, the faster it loses its attractive properties. However, it's possible magnetism could return as the magnet cools down. Introducing thermomagnetism New research from Switzerland's École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne reveals that magnetic fields can be created using heat. The researchers behind a recent study found that a difference in temperature channeled through an electric conductor can create an electric field - a phenomenon that is known as the Magnetic Seebeck effect. It's also been dubbed thermomagnetism and now the researchers know it's real. The Seebeck effect gets its name from Thomas Johann Seebeck, who was the first to observe thermoelectricity in action. According to information released by EPFL, this is the first time researchers have been able to unify continuum dynamics, electromagnetism and thermodynamics - the three fields of physics that play a role in the Seebeck effect. The researchers were able to accomplish this using yttrium iron garnet, or YIG, which is an insulating material. Instead of using a conductor, the research involved the use of an electrical insulator and its response to a temperature gradient. This object prevented electrons from flowing, which in turn brought out another property in electrons. The end result is the foundation for magnetism. What This Discovery Means and More with Apex Magnets What makes this discovery so important is the potential impact it could have on future electronic products. It's believed that the ability to generate magnetism using heat could play a role in the development of spintronics, which are devices that rely on the spin of electrons as opposed to their movement and charge. These objects are considered to be alternatives to traditional electronics. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest magnetic discoveries? Sign up for our newsletter to get these stories and more sent straight to your inbox each month.