Using Triaxial Magnetic Fields to Create Optimal Particle Composites, Fluid Vorticity, Advection Lattices, Vortex Lattices, and Biomimetic Dynamics

Abstract

Triaxial magnetic fields of even modest strength are a powerful and flexible means of controlling magnetic soft matter. If the continuous phase is a polymerizing resin, triaxial fields can be used to create fully optimized isometric or anisometric particle composites that have high magnetic permeability, thermal conductivity, magnetoresistance and magnetostriction, as well as minimal gas permeability and strain-sensitive electrical conductivity. Applications for such materials include sensors, actuators, heat spreaders, electromagnetic shielding and so forth. If the continuous phase is a liquid, vigorous fluid vorticity can be stimulated such that the vorticity vector itself can be either stationary or can undergo a limitless variety of complex, 3D orbits that stimulate a variety of biomimetic dynamics in a magnetic fluid suspended in an immiscible liquid. Finally, in suspensions of magnetic flakes it is possible to create advection lattices with a controllable lattice spacing, and even vortex lattices of remarkable regularity. These various fields of research will be described in this chapter to inspire others to pursue this research direction.