Track: High School STEM Competition

Abstract

Ferrofluid is a new type of functional material, which has the fluidity of a liquid and the magnetism of solid magnetic material at the same time. The colloidal liquid is formed by mixing micro-nanomagnetic particles, surfactant, and a carrier liquid. This report discusses the methods and processes of preparing ferrofluids and compares the advantages and disadvantages of various ferrofluid preparation methods. Besides, with the chemical coprecipitation method, the dilution pH value and rate of the dropping ammonia water are also changed. It is intended to establish a set of standard diluted ammonia water pH value scales and to explore its impact on yields.

In this study, a low-cost self-made magnetic measuring device was used to measure the magnetic force of different magnets and different angles and positions. Also, its measured values were used to draw multiple charts for analysis. From the process of studying the magnetic field, it is also found that ferrofluid will produce cones similar to Taylor cones when attracted by magnets. To get this project done, we set up self-made observation equipment and observe the influence of various variables on the behavior of cones. Meanwhile, data analysis of cones is done.