Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of magnetism. By applying a small mechanical squeeze to manganese telluride and iron sulfide crystals, they found that it changed the magnetic behavior and electrical signals in these materials. The researchers used neutron instruments to examine the crystals and discovered that the mechanical strain redistributed the magnetic domains, resulting in different responses in the two materials. This finding suggests a possible control method for future spintronics, which uses electron spin alongside electrical charge to handle information. The study, published in Physical Review X and Advanced Materials, investigated materials associated with an emerging magnetic category called altermagnetism. Altermagnets have the potential to control magnetic behavior without relying on a large overall magnetization, making them an attractive area of research. The experiments demonstrated that mechanical strain can reshape the magnetic arrangements and alter the electrical signal in these materials, offering a new way to investigate magnetism. While the study does not demonstrate a finished electronic device, it provides valuable insights into the behavior of these materials and could lead to the development of new technologies in the future.