Flux pinning describes the interaction between a high temperature superconductor (HTSC) and a magnetic field. A member of Cornell's Space Systems Design Studio demonstrates the effect.
Demonstration of magnetic flux pinning stiffness in 5DOF (one rotation DOF has negligible stiffness because the magnetic field is symmetric about the dipole axis) and then 6DOF for an asymmetric field. This principle could create non-contacting, switchable joints.
More at http://www.spacecraftresearch.com/flux
