Magnetic puzzles treat the laws of physics as a perfect bone shape in liquid form

The stumbled discovery at the Massachusetts lab has subverted long-standing scientific assumptions about liquid behavior, even senior researchers are confused. When Umass Amherst graduate Anthony Raykh vibrated a mixture of oil, water and magnetized nickel particles, he witnessed the impossible – the liquid spontaneously formed the elegant curve of the Greek urn, no matter how severe it was disturbed.

“I thought ‘What is this?’ So I walked around the hall of the Polymer Science and Engineering Department and knocked on my professor’s door and asked if they knew what was going on,” Lake said. No one.

The phenomenon is in the nearest Natural Physics The publication was called by the research team “a liquid that restores shape.” What makes this discovery particularly important is that it seems to contradict the established thermodynamic principles that control how liquids are mixed and separated.

Thomas Russell, Silvio O.

In standard emulsification – a process that allows oil and water (such as oil and water) to temporarily mix – tiny particles reduce tension at the boundary between the liquid. But in Raykh’s experiment, the strongly magnetized nickel particles instead, actually increasing tension and forcing the mixture into a consistent curved shape.

This discovery caught the attention of David Hoagland, professor of polymer science and engineering at UMASS Amherst, and another senior author of the paper. Hoagland specializes in soft materials and recognizes the potential implications of his graduate students stumbled upon.

After extensive experimentation, the UMASS team worked with colleagues from Tufts University and Syracuse University to construct simulations that could explain singular phenomena. Their conclusions suggest a surprising interaction between magnetism and fluid dynamics.

“When you look at the individual nanoparticles of magnetized nickel very carefully, you can get very detailed information on how different forms are assembled. In this case, in this case, the particles are magnetic strong enough that their assembly interferes with the process of the emulsion, thus describing the law of sports dynamics,” Hoagland said. ”

What makes this discovery particularly interesting is that it represents a real surprise in a field where most behaviors can be predicted by existing models. The researchers’ detailed analysis shows that attractive in-plane dipole magnetic interactions between particles are the cause of unexpected behavior.

“When you see something impossible, you have to investigate it,” Russell said.

Although the unique shape of the liquid evokes ancient Greek pottery, its scientific significance is thoroughly modern. The study shows that harsh magnetism can create previously unknown states of matter on the boundaries between liquids.

This discovery adds new chapters to our understanding of soft physics, an area that explores materials that are not very solid but not completely liquid – such as gels, foams, and various biological tissues. These materials often show unique behaviors that can lead to innovations in medical, manufacturing and environmental technologies.

Although immediate application has not been determined, the discovery opens new avenues for designing materials with controlled shapes and behaviors. Raykh expressed enthusiasm for exploring this unprecedented country and its potential for impact on the field.

This study, funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy, shows how scientific contingency continues to drive discoveries in fundamental physics when keen observations encounter unexpected results.

For now, the mystery of the liquid that restores shape can remind you that even in the field of science established, nature still brings surprises, which can shake our understanding of the physical world.