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Ferrofluids: magnetically controllable liquids
Author(s) -
Odenbach S.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
pamm
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1617-7061
DOI - 10.1002/1617-7061(200203)1:1<28::aid-pamm28>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - ferrofluid , magnetic field , materials science , viscosity , superparamagnetism , magnetic nanoparticles , nanotechnology , condensed matter physics , chemical physics , magnetization , nanoparticle , physics , composite material , quantum mechanics
The make up, properties and applications of suspensions containing magnetic particles with a size of about 10 nm ‐ usually called ferrofluids ‐ will be discussed. The specific interest in these fluids bases on the fact that they show normal liquid behavior coupled with superparamagnetic properties. That means that it is possible to control the flow and the properties of ferrofluids by means of moderate magnetic fields in the order of about 50 mT. The magnetically controllable forces on ferrofluids open wide fields for basic research as well as for technical applications. Some of the applications of ferrofluids entered everyday live meanwhile and gained high commercial importance. Beside the discussion of the basic properties of these liquids, particular interest will be drawn to the change of their viscosity in the presence of magnetic fields. This effect usually called magnetoviscous effect is one of the most vivid fields of ferrofluid research at present.