Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A liquid that consists of a colloidal suspension of ferromagnetic particles and that becomes strongly polarized in the presence of a magnetic field. Ferrofluids do not retain the polarization once the magnetic field is removed.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun chemistry, physics A fluid containing dispersed, nanoscale magnetic particles.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[ferro(magnetic) + fluid.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

ferro- +‎ fluid

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Examples

  • The magnet attracts the surfactant by drawing a solution of microscopic particles of magnets called ferrofluid through the water.

    eHow - Health How To's 2010

  • Once saturated with this 'ferrofluid' mixture, the paper is coated with a biocompatible plastic film, which makes it water resistant, prevents the fluid from evaporating and improves mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness and elasticity.

    Gaea Times (by Simple Thoughts) Breaking News and incisive views 24/7 2010

  • Once saturated with this "ferrofluid" mixture, the paper is coated with a biocompatible plastic film, which makes it water resistant, prevents the fluid from evaporating and improves mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness and elasticity.

    EurekAlert! - Breaking News 2010

  • Once saturated with this "ferrofluid" mixture, the paper is coated with a biocompatible plastic film, which makes it water resistant, prevents the fluid from evaporating and improves mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness and elasticity.

    PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories 2010

  • So if you magnetize the screw from a meat grinder so the magnetic flux is denser at the top than it is at the bottom, the ferrofluid will climb the screw like staircase.

    Boing Boing 2009

  • Elle Starkman Iron Lotus This lotus-like flower shape is actually a ferrofluid, a liquid mixed with small metallic particles.

    Art for Science's Sake 2011

  • Sachiko Kodama uses ferrofluid to create dynamic sculptures called Morpho

    Top 10 Mad Science-Worthy Chemistry Experiments 2009

  • Try getting to know one first, maybe going out for coffee or ferrofluid and having a conversation, before trying to get it into the copulation chamber.

    Futuristic Sexual Fetishes for Web-Savvy Weirdos 2007

  • The spectacular sculpture in the video below is made using a ferrofluid and electromagnets.

    January 12th, 2007 curufea 2007

  • This guide shows you how to make your own ferrofluid at home.

    January 12th, 2007 curufea 2007

Comments

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  • See 'Ferrofluids Used to Create Mind-Blowing Sculptures' for some prettiness with a short commentary.

    December 1, 2007

  • It's kinda cool. I liked the Optical Illusion article that popped up on the same page too. Thanks for the link--and the word.

    December 2, 2007

  • Wow. Beautiful and creepy at the same time. Thanks, VO.

    December 2, 2007

  • A ferrofluid is a liquid which becomes strongly polarised in the presence of a magnetic field.

    Ferrofluids are composed of nanoscale ferromagnetic particles suspended in a carrier fluid, usually an organic solvent or water.

    The ferromagnetic nano-particles are coated with a surfactant to prevent their agglomeration (due to van der Waals and magnetic forces).

    Although the name may suggest otherwise, ferrofluids do not display ferromagnetism, since they do not retain magnetisation in the absence of an externally applied field.

    In fact, ferrofluids display paramagnetism, and are often referred as being "superparamagnetic" due to their large magnetic susceptibility.

    True ferromagnetic fluids are difficult to create at present.

    September 5, 2008