EUROPEAN MAGNETIC FIELD LABORATORY

Their core work

The European Magnetic Field Laboratory (EMFL) is an international association that coordinates a network of four high magnetic field research infrastructures across Europe, providing scientists with access to extreme static and pulsed magnetic field environments. Their core function is operating and developing large-scale magnet facilities used for fundamental and applied research in physics, chemistry, materials science, and biology. In addition to managing facility access and sustainability, EMFL is now actively involved in developing the next generation of superconducting magnet technology — specifically high-temperature superconductor (HTS) inserts aimed at pushing achievable field strengths beyond current limits. For collaborators, they represent both an analytical platform and a technology developer at the frontier of magnet science.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

EMFL's earliest H2020 engagement (ISABEL, 2020) centered on the sustainability and governance of their existing large-scale infrastructure — keeping the network operational, accessible, and financially viable. By 2021, a second distinct thread emerged through SuperEMFL: active R&D into next-generation superconducting magnet technology, specifically high-temperature superconductor inserts capable of achieving field strengths beyond what conventional low-temperature superconductors allow. The trajectory is clear: EMFL is evolving from a facility manager into a technology developer, building internal R&D capacity to extend the performance ceiling of their own instruments.

EMFL is moving from infrastructure governance toward frontier magnet R&D, making them an increasingly relevant partner for any consortium working on advanced superconducting materials, ultra-high-field sensing, or energy-efficient magnet systems.

How they like to work

EMFL participates exclusively as a partner rather than consortium coordinator — both H2020 projects list them as participant. With 21 unique partners across 11 countries in just two projects, they operate within broad, multi-institutional consortia typical of large research infrastructure projects. This suggests they bring a specific, high-value capability (facility access and magnet expertise) that other partners build their own work around, rather than driving project direction themselves.

EMFL has built connections with 21 distinct consortium partners across 11 countries from only two projects — an unusually high partner density that reflects the broad, interdisciplinary user communities that high magnetic field facilities attract. Their network is pan-European by design, consistent with their mission as a distributed infrastructure serving the continent's research community.

What sets them apart

EMFL is the only pan-European coordinating body for high magnetic field research infrastructures, giving it a monopoly-like position as the institutional gateway to extreme magnetic field environments on the continent. Unlike national labs or university institutes, EMFL exists specifically to provide coordinated, open access across multiple sites — which means partnering with them gives consortia simultaneous reach into several EU member states and their local scientific communities. Their emerging HTS magnet R&D capability adds a technology development dimension that most pure infrastructure operators lack.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ISABEL
  The largest of EMFL's two H2020 projects (EUR 390,000, running to 2025), ISABEL addresses the institutional and financial sustainability of the entire European high magnetic field infrastructure network — a strategic project with continent-wide implications.
• SuperEMFL
  Though smaller in budget (EUR 60,000), SuperEMFL marks EMFL's entry into frontier superconducting magnet R&D, targeting high-temperature superconductor inserts that could set new world records in achievable static magnetic field strength.