Researchers have uncovered friction without contact—driven entirely by magnetic interactions. As two magnetic layers slide, their internal forces compete, causing constant rearrangements that dramatically increase resistance at certain distances. This creates a surprising peak in friction instead of a steady rise, breaking a long-standing physics law.
Given that they use an array of magnets that can rotate freely, it’s not “breaking” the law. At a distance the magnets are random and exert a force to lateral movement. Move the magnet array closer and the magnets align to the magnet below and the force changes.
It’s like saying a ball on a hill violates Amonton’s law. At the top of the hill you can push it easily. Push a little more such that it rolls down the hill and now in the valley of the hill you need more force to move it because pushing sideways means you are trying also push it uphill.
The magnets once flipped do not unflip when pulled back from the magnetic surface.