Magnetic Levitation Stabilized by Streaming Fluid Flows

We demonstrate that the ubiquitous laboratory magnetic stirrer provides a simple passive method of magnetic levitation, in which the so-called "flea" levitates indefinitely. We study the onset of levitation and quantify the flea's motion (a combination of vertical oscillation, spinnin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2018-08, Vol.121 (6), p.064502-064502, Article 064502
Main Authors: Baldwin, K A, de Fouchier, J-B, Atkinson, P S, Hill, R J A, Swift, M R, Fairhurst, D J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Locomotion
Magnetic levitation
Magnetic levitation systems
Mathematical models
Vertical oscillations
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Summary:We demonstrate that the ubiquitous laboratory magnetic stirrer provides a simple passive method of magnetic levitation, in which the so-called "flea" levitates indefinitely. We study the onset of levitation and quantify the flea's motion (a combination of vertical oscillation, spinning and "waggling"), finding excellent agreement with a mechanical analytical model. The waggling motion drives recirculating flow, producing a centripetal reaction force that stabilized the flea. Our findings have implications for the locomotion of artificial swimmers and the development of bidirectional microfluidic pumps, and they provide an alternative to sophisticated commercial levitators.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.064502