3/7/2012 - Testing Magnet Field Generator

Post date: Mar 08, 2012 10:24:8 PM

After creating our new magnet with scaffolding, we decided to test our device. Since we did not have our stepper motor ready yet, we tested the device by rotating the device by hand during the freeze casting process. Below, we will pictorially show how the process went.

The day before, graduate student and sponsor Michael Porter, prepared a 2% by volume iron oxide solution. Before the test, it was ball milled in the device shown in the video below.

Next we degased the solution to remove any dissolved gasses from the solution as shown below.

Next we added liquid nitrogen to a bath and placed the lid with our freeze casting apparatus on.

Now the the freeze casting process slowly occurs. During this, we slowly rotated the magnet to apply the magnetic field while the freezing front rises.

Below are images of what we visually have after the freeze casting. This is before the sample is sintered. It can be seen that the sample has iron spiraling along the sides of the sample signifying that the magnet does what it is intended to do.