Magic

It's really late. Grabbed a couple of things for a blip and this is the result. Any idea's as to what it is? I doubt it will be common knowledge and is neither something you'd normally have lurking around the house or a trick macro.

Answers on a postcard from those with a scientific mind, and I'll come back tomorrow and reveal the secret. :))


A bit later getting back than planned. See tomorrows blip!

This is Ferrofluid which is a substance used more often in the manufacture of breaks and speakers. It's an oily liquid, containing nano particles of magnets. I did say you wouldn't normally find it around the house. Only Chris identified it, but it's not surprising.

When a magnet is put near Ferrofluid, it's state changes to a solid following the magnetic field. Spikes form, caused by the attraction and repeal of the magnetic particles inside the liquid. In this case I have added red paint in liquid form. The paint is not magnetic so doesn't mix, remaining in the spaces between the magnetic field. I did add different colours but I was in haste and this image with only one was the best.

A Japanese artist, Sachiko Kodama, made her name creating the most amazing sculptures from ferrofluid but it was Fabian Oefner, a Swiss scientist, who made his name for his scientific photography who gave the first amazing photographs of the interactions of Ferrofluid with paint.

The fun bit is that to separate the paint back from the ferrofluid, I stuck a magnet half way up the side of the pot. The ferrofluid ran up the surface, sticking to the magnet, leaving the paint on the bottom. I just tipped that away and am left with Ferrofluid to play with again!