Anisotropic magnetic fluids are suspensions of magnetic nanoparticles whose physical properties are direction-dependent. These soft magnetic materials have become the focus of intensive scientific research in recent years. They open up new possibilities in the design of smart components that react to various electrical, magnetic, mechanical and chemical stimuli.
Magnetic nanocomposite materials based on liquid crystals are very promising systems, as the liquid crystal structure can stabilise the magnetic order. It has been demonstrated that such materials can even exhibit spontaneous magnetic order, forming so-called "liquid ferromagnets".
The main objective of the project is to understand the dynamics and self-assembly mechanisms in anisotropic liquids that exhibit magnetic order.
The focus in our group is on the magnetic dynamics: We use various experimental techniques, such as AC susceptometry, the measurement of the magnetic moment in a rotating magnetic field and static measurement methods (MPMS-3) to understand the behaviour of ferrofluids, which is significantly influenced by collective phenomena. [1]
These measurements are supplemented by magneto-optical investigations in rotating/oscillating magnetic fields and measurements of magneto-mechanical deformation in a rotating magnetic field using a torsion pendulum, which are carried out at the Institute of Physics (IfP) at the OvG University of Magdeburg.
[1] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119484