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General Discussion => Q&A Section => Topic started by: checkingIn2020 on 06/07/2020 04:06 am

Title: Technological Readiness Level of ferrofluid for centrifuge around hub?
Post by: checkingIn2020 on 06/07/2020 04:06 am

(Real fast)

To what degree, if any, has ferrofluid been tested for holding pressure against vacuum when applied between a centrifuge and fixed axis hub (Nautilus-X style, but seen on deep space designs like HOPE) ?

Any pointers to thermal constraints, electrical constraints, toxicity constraints.

( Is it purely theoretical ? )

Title: Re: Technological Readiness Level of ferrofluid for centrifuge around hub?
Post by: Stan-1967 on 06/07/2020 05:01 am

Constraints would be inherent to the difficulty of exposing any fluid to a vacuum will result in loss of the fluid to space due to the vapor pressure of the liquid.

Are you basically looking for a ferrofluid to be a magical liquid seal against the vacuum of space?  I don't see that ferrofluids have any special properties in this regards.

Title: Re: Technological Readiness Level of ferrofluid for centrifuge around hub?
Post by: checkingIn2020 on 06/07/2020 07:24 am

A magnetic field, of any strength, acting upon ferrofluid, in any manner, is not a force strong enough to counteract the natural tendency of a fluid, even of this kind, to evaporate into the vacuum.

Is that the essense?