News in Brief Physics

Under magnet’s sway, fluids form simple structures

Droplets wiggle, split and coalesce into simple and dynamic configurations

SELF-ASSEMBLING  SCULPTURE  A dollop of ferrofluid under  the influence of a magnetic field can split and arrange itself into simple  droplets (left) and complex, warping formations (right).

Courtesy of Mika Latikka and Jaakko Timonen/Aalto Univ.

By Andrew Grant

- More than 2 years ago

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Dollops of magnetic fluid can assemble themselves into both simple structures and constantly changing complex formations, researchers report in the July 19 Science.