The success of our final project for SmartSurfaces was dependent on the control of ferrofluid with homemade electromagnets. Resultantly, a lot of time was spent toying with different possibilities.
enameled wire wrapped (200+ coils) lag bolt:
ferrofluid "pixels" from coreless electromagnets:
In the photo above the "pixels" are turned on and off by the Arduino in response to sound via relays.
unsuccessful attempt to make our own ferrofluid:
working module:
We were required to present a working module of our intended final project which was an array of extended core electromagnets which were turned on in response to changes in light. Each magnet was paired with a photoresistor and turned on when a shadow was over it.The magnets were made with lag bolts and enameled wire.
This is a side view of the fully assembled module with the ferrofluid in it. The spikes are the threads of the lag bolts which were used as the core of the electromagnets.
A spiral of ferrofluid formed by turning on one of the electromagnets:
VIDEO GOES HERE
