Ferro fluid is a liquid material that when placed within the limits of a magnetic field will itself become magnetized. In its non magnetic state the fluid is black and appears to be oily in nature but when placed in the magnetic field it is formed into spikes that are small and black. There are applications of the fluid in both science in industrial and commercial applications as well as artistically due to the visually shocking nature of its behavior and the shock value. Many of the stunning pieces by Sachiko Kodama, a Japanese artist, apply ferro fluid in her artwork. Although origionally focusing on holographic art, because of its fluid nature her interests have turned toward ferro fluids. Another application of ferro fluids are in museums of science, fountains containing the material are used to teach the principles of magnetism.
As well as its various aesthetic applications, there are a number of industrial purposes for ferro fluid. One application is to fill the spaces between the spinning disks inside of computer drives. Because of its ability to significantly reduce friction between objects it has been given many mechanical applications which require the motion of magnets over surfaces with little to no resistance. Research is currently being done in space travel applications including experiments in using ferro fluid to control altitude. The fluid has been applied in medicine in conjunction with magnetic imaging to detect certain types of cancer. Because of the heat generating properties of the fluid it is also being experimented with in medical procedures known as magnetic hyperthermia. Its properties in heat transference has also made ferro fluid an excellent tool in advanced loudspeaker technology. As speaker coils begin to heat up, they can attract the ferro fluid which then cools the coil back down to a safe operating temperature. This system allows the speaker's components to cool down with no outside source of energy such as hydraulic cooling being necessary.
There a number of techniques for the formation of ferro fluid. It should be done with caution, however, as the formula can create toxic fumes as well as generate a significan amount of heat. These thing in mind, most people tend to turn to professional manufacturers for their ferro fluid needs. It is possible, also, to extract these fluids from broken CD and DVD players and computer hard disks. The black oily nature of the material also makes it advisable to wear gloves when handling the substance, as it can stain clothing and skin. The fluid must never be ingested as it can be the cause of iron poisoning. As one of the main ingredients of ferro fluid is kerosene, to avoid fires it must be carefully stored away from sources of heat. Simply put, ferro fluid is a highly useful liquid magnet with numerous practical applications as well as entertainment value.
