The invisible push of magnets has been thrilling children and adults ever since they were discovered. While most people’s memories are resigned to pushing one magnet away from another in elementary school, there are plenty of other fun things to do with magnets. Not just a toy, magnets have been used for many things including a space guidance system, cancer treatments, and even powering roller coasters. The ability to buy ferrofluid is a cheap and fun way to use science to create temporary works of art.
A ferrofluid is manufactured by the combination of a solvent or water and microscopic elements; the elements are magnetic in nature and when brought in the range of a magnetic field become magnetized. A third item is introduced known as a surfactant and is used to stop the particles of metal from bonding together. The creation of the solution does not require any high end machinery or equipment. Magnetite or hematite is the common choices for magnetic particles, while kerosene is the cost effective choice for the solvent.
Once a solution is created there are a number of fun activities and shapes that can be created through the use of introducing a magnetic field; this is often done by running other types of magnets over, under, and around it. The metallic particles repelled by the force will be unable to break away from the solvent, but instead pull the gel like material along with it; this causes the solution to take on the appearance of geometrical spikes based on the strength of the field. Weaker forces will create larger longer spikes as the particles do not separate, while a strong force will create a field of much smaller spikes. If you do not want to take the time to create your own, it is possible to buy ferrofluid and they do not cost very much.
Ferrofluids have many practical uses and they have found their home in both science and medicine, as well as electronics. When used in speakers and other electronic devices, the use of the fluids is to protect from excessive heat. NASA has made use of these miniature magnetic fields to help with space shuttle altitude controls. The medical uses range from detection to treatment. Cancer is the primary area where they have found use, both by detecting cancer and a process called magnetic hyperthermia.
The manufacture of ferrofluids makes it a fun weekend project and is a great way to spark a child’s curiosity when it comes to science. The industrial applications of the substance are just as important. Taking the time to buy ferrofluid will let your child have a memory that is far more interesting than just pushing one magnet around with another.
Ferrofluid is lubricious oil which sticks to the magnets. Though a person may need to have thorough knowledge of chemistry and physics to have complete understanding but the basic fact is that tiny pieces of iron or Ferro are suspended in an oily fluid with a surfactant (a compound which is supposed to lower the surface tension). The ferroluid does not get magnetized without a magnet nearby but it aligns almost instantly when aligned with a magnet. This is what ferrofluid is meant to be. It is necessary to know the history to understand how it works.
In the 1960’s, the NASA scientists developed ferrofluid in an attempt to have moving liquid fuel for a gravity-free outer space setting. In the 1970s, it was developed further to be used as a magnetic liquid leak-free sealing system for rotary gadgets like disk drives of computers which increase the memory capacity and prevented contamination. Later ferrofluid was used in the production process of semiconductor wafers and other vacuum processed high technology products. Today most of the computers feature a ferrofluidic seal.
Ferrofluid has it usage in medicines as well, especially in genetics and molecular diagnostics.
A ferrofluid seal combined with a magnetic circuit makes a hermetic seal against contaminants and vapor. Gas systems like sterilization equipment, X-ray, radiology and other imaging systems widely use this seal technology. It is also used in the vacuum process where rotation is necessary. It creates a liquid o-ring around a rotating shaft with no friction between stationary components and the rotating components. This serves as a seal for rotating mechanisms, blocking out contaminants and atmosphere.
The uses and applications of Ferrofluid have increased over the years from power transformers to enhanced loudspeaker performance to bearings. Sensors and motors have also used ferrofluid where it is used to cool down the wires. It is also used in bearings, engine pistons, and dampers as a sealant. Often times it is also used to test other components like stainless steel, magnetic tapes and turbine blades. Moreover, it is also useful in enhancing the performance in flow meters, vibration, tilt, pressure, and level sensors, and in certain types of switches.
It is necessary to ensure that the material which is exposed to ferrofluid has chemical compatibility. There can be gas exposure like in the laser and semiconductor industries, or liquid sprays like in the aircraft and tool industries. There may also be exposure to lubricant vapors like in the computer industry, adhesives in the loudspeaker industry, or plating and plastic materials. There must be certain temperatures for working of ferrofluid. In winter conditions ferrofluid works between (-20°C) and space environments (-55°C) and there may also be a need to hold up nuclear radiation. Hence it is extremely important to evaluate the exposure cautiously to find out which particular ferrofluid is suitable.
