Dynamics and Heat Generation in Suspensions of Magnetic Nanoparticles under Alternating Magnetic Fields

Omer Shenkman, Chemical Engineering Department, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
Moshe Gottlieb, Chemical Engineering Department, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) are a promising field of research as many new applications can utilize their unique properties. One of the major applications of interest is in remotely controlling heating with an alternating magnetic field (AMF). The aim of this work was to develop from first principles a theoretical model, which describes the dynamics and energy dissipation of MNPs in dilute suspensions, under AMF. More specifically, of the Brown mechanism which is one of several mechanisms that can take place within MNP suspensions.

We used fluid mechanics to describe the dynamics and velocity field around the rotating particles –as a result of the applied external magnetic fields. Then, the velocity field is further used as the basis for the development of an expression for the viscous heating as result of the Brown mechanism. Our calculations are compared to experimental data available in the literature. The domain of successful convergence of our viscous model with the mean field theory and experiments is determined.