A new liquid metal could be the key to understanding Earth’s weird magnetic field

Researchers have developed a new material from liquid metal and magnetic particles, and it could help us uncover some of the mysteries of our planet’s magnetic field.

More…

Tau.Neutrino said:

A new liquid metal could be the key to understanding Earth’s weird magnetic field

Researchers have developed a new material from liquid metal and magnetic particles, and it could help us uncover some of the mysteries of our planet’s magnetic field.

More…

Ah, I see, good idea.

To simulate the electromagnetic dynamo that gives the Earth its magnetic field it helps to spin a large ball of magnetic liquid. This has been done. But the magnetism is fairly small.

It hadn’t occurred to me that it was possible to increase this magnetism by any means. Because any suspended magnetic particles would tend to sink or float, and clump together into magnetic balls.

“To model what’s going on, the researchers combined an alloy of indium and gallium called eGaIn with various magnetic and nonmagnetic particles, including iron and zinc.

“The liquid metal was also treated with an acid solution to prevent oxidation, and also to allow the added particles to fully submerge into the metal.

“We managed to suspend almost anything we wanted – steel, zinc, nickel, iron – basically anything with a conductivity higher than that of the eGaIn

“With higher electrical conductivity, and greater capability for manipulating magnetic fields, the material will give scientists the chance to study more closely the effects of magnetohydrodynamics – magnetic properties of conductive fluids that you’d usually have to cut open a planet or star to see.”