Self-Assembly and Dynamics of Magnetic Holes

Abstract

Nonmagnetic particles in magnetized ferrofluids have been denoted magnetic holes and are in many ways ideal model systems to test various forms of particle self assembly and dynamics. Some case studies to be reviewed here include:• Chaining of magnetic holes • Braid theory and Zipf relation used in dynamics of magnetic microparticles • Interactions of magnetic holes in ferrofluid layersThe objectives of these works have been to find simple characterizations of complex behavior of particles with dipolar interactions.

Transformative Concepts in Scientific Convergence

“…Graphed on log–log scales, it produces an approximately straight line with negative slope. The distribution also appears to fit the sizes of corporations (Axtell 2001), the sizes of religious congregations generated from computer simulations of social interaction (Bainbridge, 2006), and nanoscale particles in magnetized ferrofluids (Skjeltorp et al 2004). One would predict that Zipf's distribution also roughly fits the sizes of solid bodies in the solar system (a few planets, many moons, huge numbers of asteroids, almost infinite numbers of nanoscale dust particles) and the populations of animal species on earth (few elephants, many mice, vast swarms of gnats).…”