Magnetic Particle Motion Through High Viscous Fluids Influenced by a Magnetic Field

The purpose of this experiment is to study the movement of magnetic particles in fluids of different viscosity, at different magnetic fields, and at different drive frequencies. The investigations have practical applications to the medical field, specifically drug delivery through high viscosity fluids like mucus. Prior results from this project found that magnetic barium hexaferrite (BaFe12O19) and iron oxide (Fe3O4) particles suspended in glycerol and various concentrations of glycerol and water were able to be oscillated or rotated when influenced by a magnetic field. The mixtures had a concentration of 2.50mg/ml for the BaFe12O19 and 1.00mg/ml for Fe3O4. In current experiments, the same concentrations of BaFe12O19 and Fe3O4 are being tested in various concentrations of hec-gel, a mucus like fluid, as well as glycerol, to study their movement when influenced by a magnetic field, at different driving frequencies. Time-varying magnetic fields in a frequency range of 10 Hz to 150 Hz are created by pairs of home-made wire coils that insert into the microscope. Magnetic field amplitudes were varied from 5, 8 and 10 mT. Particle movement was imaged and analyzed using image-j software, and compared to an existing theoretical model.