- A ferrofluid is a fluid with magnetic particles in it, and if the fluid is exposed to a magnetic field, all the magnetic particles will align with the field lines, and making the fluid much more dense.
- Ferrofluid is a liquid that is attracted to the poles of a magnet. They are colloidal liquids made of nanoscale ferromagnetic, or ferrimagnetic, particles suspended in a carrier fluid (usually an organic solvent or water). Each magnetic particle is thoroughly coated with a surfactant to inhibit.
What are Ferrofluids?
Magnetic nanoparticles with surfactants (Ferrotec) |
If there is interest to a particular topic in scientific and engineering research, it means that there are plenty of potential industrial or healthcare applications that give the research effort a commercial significance. This is also the case for research in ferrofluids.
Ferrofluid Definition
Ferrofluid Clock
![Ferrofluid Ferrofluid](/uploads/1/3/4/8/134814574/947519612.jpg)
Ferrofluids can be held in place simply via permanent magnets. This, in turn, enables their use as low-friction liquid seals against pressure differences (in turbo-pumps, for instance). They also act as highly efficient liquid bearings. (Ferrotec) |
Ferrofluid For Sale
Functionalized magnetic nanoparticles can also be used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Seen here as bright spots are the major lymph nodes in mice — such visualization could help in earlier and accurate diagnosis of cancer. Source: Kobayashi, et. al., Cancer Research (63), p. 271-276, 2003. More information on ferrofluids – Introductions to ferrofluids: [1] Wikipedia – Ferrofluids [2] University of Wisconsin – Exploring the Nano World – Ferrofluids [3] Ferrofluid Art by Sachiko Kodama [4] A Guide from Yale (Dr. Hur Koser’s Lab) on How to Make Ferrofluids [5] MIT (Dr. Markus Zahn) Explores Ferrofluid Applications Review paper on ferrofluids: [1] Recent progress in magnetic fluid research – Dr. Stefan Odenbach [2] Magnetic fluid rheology and flows – Dr. Markus Zahn [3] Trends of magnetic fluid applications in Japan – Dr. Nakatsuka [4] Applications of magnetic nanoparticles in biomedicine – Dr. Pankhurst |