ferrofluid
Magnetizable colloidal suspension
Ferrofluid is a liquid that contains tiny magnetic particles suspended in a carrier fluid, allowing it to respond dramatically to magnetic fields.
When a magnet approaches, the fluid forms distinctive spiky patterns as the particles align along magnetic field lines.
Originally developed by NASA to control liquid fuel in zero gravity, ferrofluids now appear in applications ranging from speaker damping to hard drive seals.
The mesmerizing visual effects make ferrofluid popular in science demonstrations and art installations.
Attracting iron or attention
- nanoparticlesUltrafine material fragments
- colloidalEvenly suspended throughout
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
- magnetiteMagnetic iron ore
surfactant · iron oxide · kerosene · oil-based · viscous · nanoscale · coating · stabilizer
Acquiring magnetic polarity
- field linesPaths depicting field strength
- spikesSharp metal protrusions
- instabilityTendency toward unpredictable change
- surface tensionCohesive force at liquid interfaces
viscosity · susceptibility · polarization · gradient · flux · dipole · hysteresis · saturation
Shaped three-dimensional art
- kineticRelating to motion
- displayPresentation for viewing
- interactiveAllowing mutual exchange
- aestheticConcerning beauty or art
visualization · installation · light play · otherworldly · mesmerizing · responsive · flowing · organic shapes
Aquatic whiskered mammals
- speakersAudio output devices
- dampingDissipation of vibrational energy
- bearingsAwareness of one's position
- hard drivesPermanent computer storage devices
actuators · cooling · heat transfer · lubrication · aerospace · semiconductor · frictionless · precision
Public display of opinion
- science fairStudent experiment competition
- STEMFour-discipline academic grouping
- experimentSystematic investigation procedure
- hands-onInvolving direct physical engagement
classroom · curiosity · petri dish · tutorial · DIY · kit · observable · engagement
magnetic
Attracting iron or attention
- nanoparticlesUltrafine material fragments
- colloidalEvenly suspended throughout
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
magnetite · surfactant · iron oxide · kerosene · oil-based · viscous · nanoscale · coating · stabilizer · hydrocarbon
magnetization
Acquiring magnetic polarity
- field linesPaths depicting field strength
- spikesSharp metal protrusions
- instabilityTendency toward unpredictable change
surface tension · viscosity · susceptibility · polarization · gradient · flux · dipole · hysteresis · saturation · response
sculpture
Shaped three-dimensional art
- kineticRelating to motion
- displayPresentation for viewing
- interactiveAllowing mutual exchange
aesthetic · visualization · installation · light play · otherworldly · mesmerizing · responsive · flowing · organic shapes · exhibition
seals
Aquatic whiskered mammals
- speakersAudio output devices
- dampingDissipation of vibrational energy
- bearingsAwareness of one's position
hard drives · actuators · cooling · heat transfer · lubrication · aerospace · semiconductor · frictionless · precision · spindle
demonstration
Public display of opinion
- science fairStudent experiment competition
- STEMFour-discipline academic grouping
- experimentSystematic investigation procedure
hands-on · classroom · curiosity · petri dish · tutorial · DIY · kit · observable · engagement · phenomenon
- advanced materialsgraphene, carbon nanotubes, Kevlar, superalloys, titanium alloy
- magnetic materialsiron, nickel, cobalt, magnetite, alnico
- magnetic nanoparticlesmagnetite, ferrofluids
- smart materialspiezoelectric, electrochromic, thermochromic, photochromic, smart glass
- speaker partswoofer, tweeter, driver, cone, diaphragm
ferrofluidbismuth
Element eighty-three
superconductor · water · copper · plastic · glass
ferrofluidpermanent magnet
Self-sustaining magnetic material
bar magnet · ferrite · iron bar · magnetite · iron
fluid, influx, fluidity, ferrous, ferric, ferrite, ferritin, ferromagnetic, ferromagnetism