Magnet stirring is a useful technique for moving solutions around in chemical tests. Stirrers are tools that are used to homogenize or mix substances. Magnet stirrers use magnets instead of a mechanical system to move the stirring device.
Magnet stirring is used for the following purposes.
Scientific Research
Magnetohydrodynamic (MH) flows are well-suited to many scientific applications. For example, MH flow meters can accurately measure liquid metal flow rates in nuclear fusion reactors. This is because they do not require physical contact with the liquid metal. Researchers have also used magnet stirring to study plasma turbulence and understand space plasmas.
Stirring Liquids
The principle of MH generation is useful in the design of liquid stirrers. One popular example is the Maglev Stirrer, which uses magnets mounted on an oscillating plate to induce currents inside the fluid is stirred. Instead of an electrical coil or propeller torquing system, the magnets are used to damage sensitive fluids like blood or other biofluids.
Biomedical Applications
MH has also been used in biomedical applications, such as cancer treatments. In this application, tumor cells are placed in a low conductivity fluid and exposed to an intense magnetic field. This causes the cancerous cells to heat up while healthy cells remain unharmed. It allows doctors to destroy tumors without damaging other tissues selectively. Other applications of magnet stirring include tissue engineering, drug release, and selective extraction of proteins or DNA from other cellular components.
Oil Removal
Magnet stirring is being considered for use in oil recovery operations to remove oil from water. This is achieved by mixing the two immiscible liquids using MH generation induced by submersed magnets. The advantage of this method over standard techniques is that it uses no mechanical parts or chemicals. This potentially reduces environmental and maintenance costs.
Magnet stirring is the process in which the magnetic field of a magnet, when immersed within a conductive fluid, induces small currents in that fluid. The induced eddy currents produce their magnetic field. This, in turn, induces more current in the fluid.
