Magnetic field-induced self-assembly of multiple nonmagnetic bubbles inside ferrofluid

Abstract

In this work, a comprehensive numerical study of the magnetic field-induced dynamic self-assembly process of multiple bubbles inside the ferrofluid is presented. For multiple bubbles inside the ferrofluid, the magnetic attraction force between bubbles is usually greater and lasts longer than the magnetic repulsion force, resulting in self-assembly movement. This process can be influenced by a number of factors, such as surface tension, inertia force, and initial position, and their specific mechanisms have not been fully understood. Particularly, what roles the magnetic field strength, the surface tension coefficient, and the initial position play are our major interest. Results show that higher magnetic field strength is unfavorable for improving self-assembly efficiency as it leads to stronger magnetic interactions, including attraction and repulsion. In contrast, an increase in the surface tension coefficient can enhance the effect of attraction and weaken the effect of repulsion. Further analysis of the influence of the initial position shows that the magnetic repulsive force can be enhanced by increasing the horizontal gap, which causes a reversing motion along the magnetic field direction. However, an increase in the vertical gap has a nonlinear effect on the efficiency of the self-assembly process, and there is a critical distance below which the self-assembly process could be accelerated with the increase in the vertical gap.