In physics, why is it that things can have an electric charge, but not a magnetic charge? Can you get a magnet with only a north or south pole? Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Felix Flicker explores the magnetic monopoles theoretically predicted to exist in ‘spin ices’ and how this could lead to fundamental advances in electronics with the possibility of magnetic currents that overcome physical limitations faced by electrical currents today. Watch the Q&A: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQpNh2nOhpE Felix Flicker is a theoretical physicist working at Oxford University. He holds the Astor Junior Research Fellowship at New College. His interests lie in the application of geometry and topology to condensed matter systems. This lecture was filmed in the Ri on 17 February 2020. --- A very special thank you to our Patreon supporters who help make these videos happen, especially: Alan Latteri, Alan Moore, Andrew Downing, Andrew McGhee, Andrew Weir, Anonymous, Dave Ostler, David Crowner, David Lindo, David Schick, Fairleigh McGill, Greg Nagel, Jan Bannister, Jan Všetíček, Joe Godenzi, John C. Vesey, Kellas Lowery, L S, Lasse T. Stendan, Matt Townsend, Michael Morrissey, Michelle J. Zamarron, Osian Gwyn Williams, Paul Brown, Rebecca Pan, Robert Hillier, Robert Reinecke, and Roger Baker. --- The Ri is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheRoyalInstitution and Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Product links on this page are affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.