Bubbles, viscosity, diffusion, capillary action, and ferrofluids all feature in the artistic experiments of Kim Pimmel. Be sure to check out his previous film featured here. (Video credit: Kim Pimmel)
In this video, artist Afiq Omar mixes ferrofluid with soap, alcohol, milk, and other liquids to create a surrealistic fluidic dance. In addition to using different fluid mixtures, I suspect he accomplishes many effects using several different permanent magnets and electromagnets to vary the magnetic fields around the ferrofluid mixtures. (Video credit: Afiq Omar; via Wired)
(Source: vimeo.com)
The motion of ferrofluids in magnetic fields is always mesmerizing. Here a ferrofluid has been submerged in a clear alcohol-based solution in a shallow dish while a permanent magnet is used to perturb the liquid. Instead of forming its distinctive spikes due to the normal-field instability, the fluid forms ribbons and mazes due to the shifting magnetic field and the surrounding fluid.
High-speed video captures the behavior of a ferrofluid trapped between two magnets. Ferrofluids contain tiny ferromagnetic particles suspended in a carrier fluid like oil or water. The distinctive peaks and valleys of a ferrofluid subject to a strong magnetic field is due to the normal-field instability and is a result of the fluid minimizing its magnetic energy.
(Source: colorado.edu)
This timelapse video shows the spreading of food coloring and a ferrofluid through soap suds surrounding a magnet. Capillary action, the same force that enables sap to flow up through a tree against gravity, helps draw the fluids through the interfaces between the soap bubbles without disturbing the suds. The magnet’s field provides a preferred direction for the ferrofluid flow. (via Gizmodo)
Ferrofluids consist of ferromagnetic nanoparticles suspended in a fluid. When subjected to strong magnetic fields, they develop a distinctive peak-and-valley formation due to the normal-field instability. The shape is a result of minimizing the magnetic energy of the fluid. Both gravity and surface tension resist the formation of these peaks. Ferrofluids, in addition to appearing in art exhibits, can be used as liquid seals, MRI contrast agents, and loudspeaker cooling fluids. (Photo credit: Maurizio Mucciola)
The behavior of a ferrofluid subject to magnetic fields can be fascinating. Here a ferrofluid is subjected to a permanent magnet and thinner is added to the ferrofluid. As it spreads outward, the thinner carries ferrofluid with it. The thinner evaporates, increasing the concentration of ferrofluid in the outer ring and eventually forming peaks of ferrofluid that move inward toward the main body due to the attraction of the magnet. Near the main body, the peaks are repelled by the ferrofluid because they have the same magnetic orientation.
Here’s a ferrofluid video with a little more explanation about how ferrofluids work. Surfactants prevent the tiny magnetic particles suspended in the fluid from separating out when exposed to a magnetic field.
Here’s a different take on ferrofluids. Instead of spikes, we get 2D patterns reminiscent of these ones. Most likely the ferrofluid is trapped under glass as part of a Hele-Shaw cell. The results remind me some of chaotic Rayleigh-Benard convection cells, actually.
This video shows some of the dynamic behaviors of a ferrofluid near moving magnetic fields. Ferrofluids are formed from a suspension of ferrous particles in a liquid, usually oil.
Celebrating the physics of all that flows. 