Computational Modeling of the Effect of an External Magnetic Field on a Ferromagnetic Fluid Droplet

Abstract

The effect of an external magnetic field on a ferrofluid droplet is considered. The magnetic field causes the droplet to elongate depending on the values of its surface tension, susceptibility, and radius. Under the influence of an alternating magnetic field with certain frequency, it is shown that there is a critical frequency above which the droplet shape will not change. It is also shown that if an additional small magnetic field having a certain gradient is also present, the droplet will experience a force, which can be used to push it through channels with smaller diameters. Such a mechanism can have application in medical fields. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York.