Studying the field-controlled change of shape and elasticity of magnetic gels using particle-based simulations

• DOI: 10.1007/s00419-018-1396-4
• Publication Date: 2018-06-11T00:54:37Z
• Authors: Rudolf Weeber; Patrick Kreissl; Christian Holm
• Keywords: 0103 physical sciences; 01 natural sciences

Ferrogels are soft elastic materials into which magnetic particles are embedded. The resulting interplay between elastic and magnetic interactions and the materials’ response to external fields makes them promising candidates for applications such as actuation and drug delivery. In this article, after providing a very brief introduction to particle-based simulation methods, we give an overview on how they can be applied to magnetic gels. We focus on the different mechanisms by which ferrogels can deform in an external magnetic field. Based on examples from our previous work, we show how these mechanisms can be captured by particle-based simulations. Lastly, we provide some links to simulation techniques on larger length scales.