Magnetism Magnetism was a physical phenomenon caused by magnetic field s , which were themselves caused by Electromagnetism . Something exhibiting magnetism was said to be magnetic or magnetized . If that was their primary function , they were called a magnet . In nature . In nature , planets and moons might have magnetic field s . These could potentially be used taped into for an energy source . ( ) The breakup of planet Psi 2000 was characterized by dramatic changes in its magnetic field , including at one point a four degree shift of the whole field . ( ) The rings of Saturn also caused some magnetic distortion , and magnetic force originated from the Questar M - 17 . ( ) The Murasaki 312 had magnetic potential . ( ) Magnetic storm s were a hazardous phenomenon in space and on the surface of planets like Rigel XII . ( , etc ) Solar flare s might be indicated by large magnetic disturbances on the star surface . During the Dominion War , the crew of the was even able to directly trigger a devastating solar flare after locating a magnetic instability on a star and increasing its magnetic gradient . ( : ) Ionised hydrogen might generate magnetic currents . Nucleonic particle s such as those found in polaric field s were also highly magnetic , and if accumulated might even create a diomagnetic field . ( ) In 2266 , an unidentified yellowish ore was found on Alfa 177 , which was subsequently determined to be magnetic . Magnetic deposits were also present on the Torothan homeworld . ( ; ) Magnetic wave s were present in the Parvenium system , and were surveyed by a Starfleet ship in 2368 . Spatial rifts might also emit magnetic shock wave s . ( ; ) A negative magnetic corridor connected two universes , one of matter and one of anti - matter . ( ) At least one living magnetic organism was encountered , which was characterized by a magnetic flux pulsing almost like the beating of a heart . Furthermore , the non - corporeal Ux - Mal entity claimed at one point that their consciousness had been captured by the magnetic currents of Ux - Mal , though this was part of an elaborate lie . A Delta Quadrant space - dwelling lifeform was also capable of generating a strong magnetic field . As a technology . Warp drive design . Magnetic technology was widely used in starship design , in particularly in feeding of matter and anti - matter into the warp core . Generally , containing a volume of anti - matter might be done using a magnetic containment field or magnetic bottle , and transporting ( as in beaming ) it could be done in a magnetic vacuum field . ( ; ) The plasma flowing into the system was magnetic . ( ; , etc . ) Antimatter containment relied on magnetic field s utilizing magnetic flow . On ships , this was monitored using a magnetic force indicator . ( ) Another key component in the containment of antimatter and prevention of warp core breach es was the magnetic interlock . ( ; ) The also had magnetic interlocks at the warp core . The featured magnetic capacitor s on the matter and anti - matter injectors . One way of dealing with problems in the latter was resetting the magnetic fields through a magnetic quench . ( ) This class also featured magnetic coil s , and magnetic seal s at the antimatter chamber . ( ) starships used magnetic constrictor s to align the positron stream , and constrictors were also used in the " Intrepid " - class . ( ) Containment and shielding . Magnetic shield s were occasionally deployed to block transporter s from beaming someone in or out a certain area . Beaming through a shield was possible with a code . Such a setup was present at Rura Penthe in the 23rd century and at Aldea a century later . ( ; ) Malurian s were able to create magnetic barriers . ( ) Magnetic envelope s could be created , and even tweaked so that anti - neutron s could pass through it but anti - graviton s could not . ( ) Attachments and locks . Magnets might be used to attach things . For example , on ships the deflector dish was attached to the ship using magnetic restrictor s . ( ) Doors were often magnetically sealed . Magnetic seals were already in use aboard . The Amargosa observatory contained a magnetically - sealed hidden door . ( ; ; ) Suliban helix es were aggregate structures comprised of vessels held in place by an interlocking system of magnetic seals . ( ) Gravity boot s , also known as magnetic boots , used magnetism to allow people to operate in environments with magnetic variances . ( ; ) Other applications . In Federation starships , magnetic constrictor s were present in the impulse thrusters of runabout s , and magnetic inducer s in Type 15 shuttlepod s . ( ; ) " Intrepid " - class ships might use magnetic spindle bearing s , and their bridge consoles contained magnetic relay s , which if overloaded could cause the console to explore . ( ) The contained a magnetic storage bay . ( ) Hologram s were illusions created by projections of light held in a magnetic containment field . ( ) The slingshot effect depended upon seeking out the magnetic attraction of a sun . ( ) The pain band s in use on Sigma Draconis VI were speculated to use a kind of magnetic lock by Montgomery Scott . ( ) 22nd century Romulan mine locked onto targets using magnetic spikes . Two centuries later , Federation antimatter mine s had magnetic targeting capabilities . ( ) Cobalt - fusion warhead s as used by the Lysian Central Command utilized magnetic propulsion . ( ) Lazarus claimed his species used magnetic communications satellite s . ( ) Jem ' Hadar fighter s featured magnetic flux coupler s . ( ) Magnetic devices could be used to control Dom - Jot balls and thus cheat in the game . ( ) Magnetic leverage might be used to lift cargo along an orbital tether . ( ) The Coalition , a cadre operating on turkana IV , gave their operatives magnetic implant s to ensure their loyalty . ( ) Magnetism in scans . Magnetism could also be used as a sensor technique , through a magnetic sweep or a magnetic residual analysis . ( ; ) Magnetic signature s could be looked for to compare readings . Wiping a memory core with an microdyne coupler left a unique magnetic signature . ( ; ) However , " magnetic clutter " could make scans more difficult . ( ) The Talosian community on Talos IV was found by detecting the magnetic field of their underground generator . ( ) The Borg were found to leave distinctive magnetic resonance traces . This was a working theory of Lieutenant Commander Shelby and was confirmed on the site of the New Providence colony disaster . ( ) Runabout hulls were made out of metallic composites that interacted with magnetic fields , the magnetic deflection of which caused extremely weak magnetic resonance patterns , which were distinctive enough to locate a runabout . Such weak fields could be detected with a differential magnetometer , a device developed in 2369 . ( ) In 2373 , the ship ' s engineer of a ship was ordered to intentionally slightly misalign one of the ship ' s nullifier core s , thus creating a small polarized magnetic distortion in space whenever the ship was in motion , making it detectable even though it was cloak ed . ( ) Figuratively . A person may have also figuratively been said to have had a magnetic personality . James T . Kirk described Khan Noonien Singh as such upon first meeting him . Some time later , Kirk later in noted in his log that the women Harcourt Mudd peddled in had a magnetic effect on the male members of his crew , including himself . This was later revealed to be the result of the Venus drug . ( ) Captain Kathryn Janeway , role - playing as Queen Arachnia , once remarked that Doctor Chaotica could not possibly resist her magnetism . ( ) Data also once claimed to have a magnetic personality , though only as a pun . ( ) Other information . Spock wondered if the Metron force that captured the " Enterprise " in 2267 was gravimetric , magnetic or electronic in nature . ( )