Method of driving liquid flow at or near the free surface using magnetic microparticles
US8034245B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 2008 |
| Grant date | Oct 11, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 10, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB03C2201/18
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides a method of driving liquid flow at or near a free surface using self-assembled structures composed of magnetic particles subjected to an external AC magnetic field. A plurality of magnetic particles are supported at or near a free surface of liquid by surface tension or buoyancy force. An AC magnetic field traverses the free surface and dipole-dipole interaction between particles produces in self-assembled snake structures which oscillate at the frequency of the traverse AC magnetic field. The snake structures independently move across the free surface and may merge with other snake structures or break up and coalesce into additional snake structures experiencing independent movement across the liquid surface. During this process, the snake structures produce asymmetric flow vortices across substantially the entirety of the free surface, effectuating liquid flow across the free surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.