August 14, 2015 at 00:28Ferrolic: watch on ferromagnetic fluid
As you know, a ferromagnetic fluid (ferrofluid) reacts to a magnetic field. The designer of the desktop clock Ferrolic used this property to create a stunningly beautiful effect. The numbers on the dial of this watch are changing like little living things, drops are floating from place to place.
In the colloidal system of a ferromagnetic fluid there are magnetized particles of nanometer size (ferromagnets). They react to an external magnetic field. The liquid is sandwiched between two glasses, and moves under the influence of magnets hidden behind the screen.
Due to the natural dynamics, the droplets move in an unpredictable way. This only enhances the visual effect. In principle, such a display can be used not only as a watch, but to display other shapes and patterns. You can watch the live screen all day in a row.
The watch was developed by the Dutch designer Zelf Koelma with the help of specialists from Eindhoven University of Technology and Carnegie Mellon University. There are no watches on open sale, the designer made a limited series of 24 pieces, which he sells at exorbitant prices as works of art.
In general, you can make a lot of cool stuff with ferromagnetic fluid. For example, developers from the Fluux Design Lab last year made the world's first Fluux LiquiMetal ferromagnetic slurry .which changes color. Management is carried out by a neodymium magnetic stick.
PS The Ferrolic device is described in an article posted by developers on International Symposium on Electronic Art. (Thanks, tyomitch )
