Ferro fluid is a combination of water or liquid solvent and very small particles of magnetic elements like iron, nickel, cobalt, or zinc. Due to residual magnetism, these tiny particles never get settled in the fluid as they move within the suspension randomly. A phenomenon, “Brownian motion”, explains this random movement. Initially, Ferro fluid looks like oil but it becomes a totally new substance when you expose it to a magnetic field. While reacting to a magnet, Ferro fluid happens to flow and form tentacle-like appendages and spikes. Though it is funny to watch all this, but it has various practical applications as well. Filler in computer hard drives is a common example of the use of this substance. These fantastic magnetized liquid has various other applications in medical, industrial and scientific field.
Ferrofluid has wide usage in industrial equipments because the friction between powerful magnets within the machinery is reduced to a large extent by Ferro fluid. It works like a lubricant giving the magnets restrained movement on hard surfaces. This is the main reason why it is used in MRI machines which are used by doctors for making patient’s diagnostic images. Unlike conventional x-ray technique, an MRI is capable of producing images of tissue, which enables physicians to view and find out lesions, tumors, and organs and muscle injury.
Researches are undergoing for creating medical treatments with the use of fluid. When you expose Ferro fluid to a magnetic field, heat is generated by the tiny particles used in the fluid. Malignant tumor cells can be destroyed using the heat of this fluid. According to theory, if magnetized, the tiny particles which produce heat can help in minimizing cancer lesion. In certain cases, this kind of treatment which is also called magnetic hyperthermia can prove to be useful for effective working of chemotherapy. Experiments are being conducted with the treatment all over the world but only German scientists have carried out trials on human beings.
“Smart fluid” is another type of Ferro fluid. Electrortheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR0 are the two varieties which have wide usage. The vibration in industrial components is reduced with the help of smart fluids. Automobile manufacturing fully uses MR fluid especially in break suspension. In the year 2002, this fluid was first used by Cadillac in the Seville STS model. Audi models that have alike fluids are also available which are used in break suspension. Smart fluids are also commonly used in home appliances like washing machines and air conditioners. Even components for rocket ships and spaces ships use smart fluids. Studies are underway to use MR fluid as shock absorbers for buildings in earthquake areas. Such a device has already been installed in one of Tokyo's renowned science museums.
Besides being used to teach magnetism for kids in schools since years, Ferro fluid has wide applications nowadays. It is widely used in large machinery to ensure smooth and safe movement of parts. Ferro fluid is also useful to the doctors in diagnostic scans for cancer patients. The fluid is commonly used in computers, car brakes and household machinery to offer safety to the people besides saving money on frequent repairs. Thus, the fluid has wide applications in various fields and is expected to be used in various other fields in the future.
Ferro fluid is created when magnetic materials are suspended in a solvent, such as oil or water. When this happens, the solvent transforms into a magnetic gel. This unusual chemistry makes the fluid useful in a variety of applications. Whether you are a manufacturer of goods or a person with a flair for creating unusual art, ferro fluids are a material you must have in your collection.
In terms of industrial application, there are many ways one can use ferro fluid. Since it has the ability to take the form of both a liquid and a solid, the fluid can be used in situations where there is a need for a magnetic lubricant. This is particularly the case when one is creating loudspeakers, hard drives or CD/DVD laser heads. For manufacturers of medical equipment, ferro fluids are an essential addition in resonance imaging equipment. The same is also true for manufacturers of military or scientific equipment. In fact, NASA has an ongoing need for this type of fluid. With it, they can help control the rotation of their spacecraft.
For the artist, ferro fluids have a different application. Their color and chemical composition allow sculptors to create very striking art. Consider Sachiko Kodama, an artist who specializes in these types of creations. Many of them place emphasis on the ?spikes? that form when the fluid is created. Others demonstrate the unusual nature of the substance. In either case, an aspiring artist can receive great inspiration by studying her work. The situation is even better if they can replicate such talent in their own designs. Since this genre of art is relatively new, they will find themselves in high demand among museums and art collectors. In addition, art derived from ferro fluids has educational value. They use beauty and ingenuity to teach people about the powers of magnetism and colloidal suspensions, (or materials that possess two different states of matter).
In conclusion, ferro fluid is an extremely versatile substance. While the material is not as magnetic at higher temperatures, for applications involving a low Curie temperature, it is a godsend. Its liquid-solid properties help lubricate components, while its magnetism helps bind them together. Other magnets with similar strength can only bind. In addition, they are not suitable for artistic applications. Ferro fluids can make a different claim thanks to their chemistry. Sachiko Kodama has realized this, which is why she is gaining phenomenal success as a contemporary artist. Others can do the same, once they realize that ferro fluids do not have to limit themselves to a lab or a manufacturing plant. True, they are quite useful in these places, but they offer equal amounts of power to the artistic genius. Indeed, everyone wins with ferro fluids, the ultimate miracle of chemistry!
