Investigations of field instability of ferrofluid in hypergravity and microgravity

Theng Yee Chong,Kent Loong Ho,Boon Hoong Ong

doi:10.1063/1.3685806

Abstract

The field instability of the free surface of ferrofluid was investigated under microgravity and hypergravity environments conducted by parabolic flight. It is observed that the perturbation was suppressed under hypergravity, whereas at the microgravity condition, it appeared to have only slight increase in the amplitude of the perturbation peaks compared to the case of ground condition. Besides, an observation of peak-trough distance showed that not only the peak, but the trough was also very much dependent on the applied magnetic field. The difference of magnetic pole (north and south) had shown to be a factor to the perturbation as well.

Highlights

A suspension of magnetic nanoparticle, carrier liquid and surfactant form a magnetic liquid called as ferrofluid
The magnetic field effect on ferrofluid leads to a classical theory proposed by Cowley and Rosensweig, namely the normal field instability theory
Cowley and Rosensweig showed that the perturbation is influenced by several parameters including the type of fluids, density difference between the two interfacing fluids, surface tension, gravitational force etc

Summary

Introduction

A suspension of magnetic nanoparticle, carrier liquid and surfactant form a magnetic liquid called as ferrofluid. Investigations of field instability of ferrofluid in hypergravity and microgravity Investigations of field instability of ferrofluid in hypergravity and microgravity Theng Yee Chong, Kent Loong Ho, and Boon Hoong Onga Faculty of Engineering, Multimedia University, Jalan Multimedia, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia (Received 9 August 2011; accepted 19 January 2012; published online 6 February 2012)

Results

Conclusion