Recent developments of technology in magnetic fluid experiments

Abstract

A review is presented of experimental studies of fluid mechanics of magnetic fluid conducted in Japan, especially at Tohoku University. The topics treated are pressure and local velocity measurement in a strong magnetic field and techniques for measuring the effect of a magnetic field on the optical and rheological properties of fluids that are closely related to particle aggregation in a fluid. Experimentation is difficult in magnetic fluid research because of the opaqueness of the fluid and the need to make measurements under an applied magnetic field. It is necessary to improve the methods of measuring pressure and local velocity and the visualization of particle behavior in such restricted conditions. Experimental techniques for the investigation of various pipe flow problems of magnetic fluids are also reviewed. First the effect of uniform and nonuniform magnetic fields on steady pipe flow is clarified. Then the gas-liquid two-phase flow and oscillatory flow characteristics in a pipe are investigated in the application of stationary and nonstationary magnetic flieds.