How is ferrofluid used in medicine?

Doctors can use magnets to concentrate the nanoparticles, and therefore the drugs in in the area of the disease. Ferrofluids are magnetic nanoparticles that are suspended in a fluid. When magnets are brought near ferrofluids, the liquid forms spikes along the magnetic field lines.

What are some of the applications of ferrofluids?

Ferrofluid is used in rotary seals in computer hard drives and other rotating shaft motors, and in loudspeakers to dampen vibrations. In medicine, ferrofluid is used as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Why are ferrofluids important?

A major benefit of ferrofluid is that the liquid can be forced to flow via the positioning and strength of the magnetic field and so the ferrofluid can be positioned very exactly. Ferrofluids also have the capability of reducing friction, making them useful in a variety of electronic and transportation applications.

What are the properties of ferrofluids?

Properties of a Ferrofluid A ferrofluid is composed of three components: magnetic nano particles, dispersion medium (also called carrier liquid) and a dispersant or surface active agent. The fluid responds to an applied magnetic field as one homogeneous system.

Is ferrofluid toxic?

The toxicity of ferrofluid is very low; animal experiments in which the permissible maximum doses of ferrofluid were either administered orally, intravenously, or intraperitoneally did not kill the mice.

Why did NASA create ferrofluid?

Ferrofluid really is the stuff of science fiction. It was created at NASA as a way to move fuel in space, and someday soon, it may be used to pilot medicine through your body.

How does a Ferrofluidic seal work?

The Ferrofluidics seal uses the response of a magnetic fluid to an externally applied magnetic field. The seal has a permanent magnet, two pole pieces, a magnetically permeable, multi-staged shaft, and the ferrofluid (see drawing).

Are ferrofluids toxic?

What happens if you ingest ferrofluid?

Ingestion: This material has minimal toxicity, but fluid aspirated into lungs during ingestion could cause severe pulmonary injury or death. Do not induce vomiting; seek immediate medical attention.

Why do ferrofluids Spike?

When a strong magnet is placed near the ferrofluid, spikes are observed. The spikes arise from the tendency of the particles to line up along the magnetic field lines to lower their energy. Surface tension of the fluid, however, limits the extent to which the particles can align themselves with the field.

What happens if u touch ferrofluid?

Ferrofluids are considered a major skin irritant. Once you contact the ferrofluid with your finger, the liquid quickly begins to travel up the ridges of your finger and around your nail.

How can I make ferrofluid at home?

Pour a bit of vegetable oil into a shallow dish, just enough to make a thin film across the bottom. Pour iron filings into the oil and mix the two until they have become a thick, sludge-like material. This is your ferrofluid!

What are ferrofluids?

on What are Ferrofluids? Image of ferrofluids is from Prof. Markus Zahn group at MIT. Ferrofluids (sometimes referred as magnetic liquids) are colloidal suspensions of magnetic nanoparticles.

Is a ferrofluid a colloidal suspension?

A ferrofluid is a colloidal suspension. This means that in an adequately concocted ferrofluid of high quality, the ferromagnetic substances in the solution do not settle down. They remain suspended within the solution.

What is the function of the ferrofluid in speakers?

The ferrofluid in speakers also acts as a cooling agent and helps cool down the speaker via a process known as thermomagnetic convection. The heat produced by a voice coil is absorbed by the ferrofluid, which heats it up and consequently lowers its magnetic susceptibility.

Why do ferrofluid surfactants have a stable surface tension?

The surface tension of the ferrofluid surfactant is another force at play here. All liquids have this property where the outermost layer has slightly higher energy than the remaining molecules of the liquid. And according to physics 101, all physical systems tend to move towards a stable energy level.