What is ferrofluid? Ferrofluid is a colloidal mixture of nanoscale ferrromagnetic particles in a carrier fluid. The particles are coated in an anti-clumping agent to keep them from clumping together. Ferrofluid is useful in a myriad of ways such as dentistry, medicine, and the environment. Ferrofluid can’t replace aqueous solutions However, it can be used in conjunction with aqueous solutions.
Ferrofluid is a suspension magnetic nanoparticles. Its diameter is usually one billionth of an meter. Brownian forces that oppose gravity-induced agglomeration, keep the particles from collapsing. Agglomeration is promoted through Van der Waals forces, magnetic dipole interaction, and Van the Waals forces. Ferrofluids usually contain ferrite nanoparticles with 10 nanometers in diameter. These particles are coated in surfactants in order to keep the formation of clumps and improve stability.
Ferrofluids that contain antibodies are utilized for immunomagnetic separation, cell sorting, and gene therapy. Antibodies aid ferrofluids to bind to the cells they are targeting and magnetically separate them. There are many commercial and industrial applications for ferrofluids containing antibodies. NASA scientists also invented the material. In the future, ferrofluids may be used to propel medications around the body. The research on ferrofluids to date has been restricted to industrial uses. However, medical benefits may be possible.
Magnetic nanoparticles can also be used to carry drugs in targeted cancer treatment. The use of magnetic nanoparticles when combined with heat and magnetic fields allow medications to be delivered to specific parts of the body to reduce the adverse effects of conventional cancer treatments. Combining heat and magnetic fields can be used to treat deep-seated cancers. A 28-year-old Caucasian male was diagnosed with discoloration of his hand after having taken ferrofluid.
Ferrofluids are liquids with magnetic particles suspended in them. They are also known as magnetic colloids. Two distinct NASA laboratories and AVCO Space System company independently developed ferrofluids in the 1960s. These liquids contain tiny particles of cobalt magneticite, iron and cobalt in a solvent. They are between three and 15 nanometers wide and move in the Brownian manner when they are not in the field of magnetic. If a magnet pulls the liquid away, it becomes a solid.
They have been used in numerous commercial and innovative applications since the field of ferrofluids improves. Since their inception they have been utilized for the production of seals and speakers. They also play a role in the creation of superparamagnetic compounds and medical imaging. Ferrofluids exhibit magnetic properties similar to liquids, but they are extremely stable. Alongside the research applications, ferrofluids have become commercially viable and have become a recognized nanomaterial.
Steve Papell, a NASA scientist, invented ferrofluids which are used in many industrial applications. This includes computers as well as space exploration. These liquids are self-assembled into needle-like points, and then emit a stream Ions that may one day be used as satellite thrusters. It could also be utilized in many other applications as it becomes the norm for the manufacturing of computer chips. The versatility of its chemical composition and the variety of applications are attractive to various industries.