Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

A Novel Method for In Situ Electromechanical Characterization of Nanoscale Specimens
Published on: June 2, 2017
Contrasting electrostatic and electromagnetic levitation experimental results for transformation kinetics of steel
Douglas M Matson1, David J Fair, Robert W Hyers
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, 025 Anderson Hall, Medford MA 02155, USA. douglas.matson@tufts.edu
Abstract:
The delay between conversion of metastable ferrite to stable austenite during ternary Fe-Cr-Ni alloy double recalescence is seen to differ by over an order of magnitude for tests conducted using electrostatic and electromagnetic levitation. Several possible reasons for this deviation are proposed. Thermodynamic calculations on evaporation rates indicate that potential composition shifts during testing are minimized by limiting test time and thermal history. Simulation indicates that deviation would be limited to a factor of 1.5 under worst-case conditions. Possible effects due to differences in sample size are also eliminated since the metastable array, where stable phase nucleation must occur, is significantly smaller than the sample. Differences in internal convection are seen to be the most probable reason for the observed deviation.
Related Concept Videos
Electrolysis
Eddy Currents
Other major applications of eddy currents appear in metal detectors and the braking systems of trains and roller...
Magnetic Damping
If, however, the bob is a slotted metal plate, the magnet produces a much smaller effect. When a slotted metal plate enters the field, an emf is induced by the change in flux; however, it is less effective because the slots limit the...
Electrodeposition
Electrodeposition can...
Electrochemical Systems
Vectors in Engineering Applications

