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Magnetic fields induce exclusion zones in water.
Valery Shalatonin1, Gerald H Pollack1
1Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
Plos One
|May 27, 2022
Summary
Static magnetic fields create exclusion zones (EZs) in microsphere suspensions, similar to those near hydrophilic surfaces. These magnetic field-induced EZs show ordered microsphere motion and distinct properties from bulk liquid.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Magnetohydrodynamics
Background:
- Hydrophilic surfaces in aqueous solutions form exclusion zones (EZs) that alter near-surface properties.
- These EZs, extending micrometers from surfaces, exclude solutes and colloids, differing from bulk water.
- Previous research focused on EZs generated by material surfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if static magnetic fields can induce exclusion zones in microsphere suspensions.
- To characterize the properties and formation of magnetic field-induced EZs.
- To compare magnetic field-induced EZs with those formed by hydrophilic surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of aqueous microsphere suspensions (polystyrene and carboxylate) to static magnetic fields.
- Observation and measurement of microsphere distribution and motion near magnetic poles.
- Analysis of exclusion zone size and comparison between north and south poles.
Main Results:
- Static magnetic fields induced microsphere-free zones (EZs) adjacent to both north and south magnetic poles.
- EZ formation was accompanied by ordered microsphere motion, creating dense zones away from the magnet.
- Exclusion zone size differed between north and south poles, notably for polystyrene microspheres.
Conclusions:
- Static magnetic fields can create exclusion zones in microsphere suspensions, mimicking surface-induced EZs.
- Magnetic field-induced EZs exhibit unique dynamics and size characteristics dependent on pole and microsphere type.
- This study reveals a novel property of magnets: the ability to generate exclusion zones.
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