Magnetic Fluid Composite Gels

Abstract

Polymer gels in which magnetic fluid is immobilized have been considered as a possible candidate of useful actuators or sensors. Particularly, remote actuation is possible without any harmful damage to the body in medical actuation. This means the system can also be applied for energy harvesting system, too. In this chapter the author summarize the some characteristics of magnetid fluid (or ferrofluid) which implies super paramagnetic property. Then the immobilization of these material in polymer gels, and the structural changes induced in the magnetic gels by applying magnetic field or gradient of magnetic field. Some applications of these gels are introduced in the last section.