ChemNet members make a ferrofluid. University of Liverpool 19 June 2007

In June fifty ChemNet members got the chance to synthesise a ferrofluid at the University of Liverpool. They were amongst the first AS level students from Liverpool and the surrounding area to benefit from the University of Liverpool Chemistry Department's new schools laboratory. ChemNet members spent the morning in the lab synthesising a ferrofluid, made from iron nanoparticles. Ferrofluids were originally developed by scientists at NASA who were looking to control the flow of liquids in the zero-gravity environment of space, but were never used for this purpose. Just another example of how research into one problem can lead to a solution for another. The ferrofluid ChemNet members made was synthesised from an iron containing compound called magnetite, FE3O4.

Ferrofluids are nifty examples of nano-technology and have some rather bizarre properties, for example they can be moved by magnetism. ChemNet members learnt all about the uses of ferrofluids, everything from their uses in the stealth technology of certain aircraft to their use in dampening within the humble Hi-Fi loudspeaker. The event was funded jointly by EPSRC. Look out for more ChemNet events in the North-West soon. Our thanks to Dr Helen Aspinall and her colleagues at the University of Liverpool for making this event happen.