Dancing Magnetic Droplets

Self-assembly is ubiquitous in nature and both functionally and structurally complex structures can be achieved by using equilirbium and non-equilibrium self-assembling process. Timonen et al. have now demonstrated how different states equilibrium and dynamic self-assembly can be trapped and distinguished using ferrofluid droplet on a super-hydrophobic surface.

Link to video: Self-assembly of magnetic droplets on a superhydrophobic surface

                       Magnetically triggered droplet splitting on a superhydrophobic surface

See original article :Timonen J.V.I., Latikka M., Leibler L., Ras R.H.A., Ikkala O., Switchable Static and Dynamic Self-Assembly of Magnetic Droplets on Superhydrophobic Surfaces, Science 341, 253-257 (2013).http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1233775