Regensburg 2013 – scientific programme
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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik
CPP 48: (Hydro)gels and Elastomers
CPP 48.8: Talk
Friday, March 15, 2013, 11:30–11:45, H39
Computer Simulations of Magnetic Gels — •Rudolf Weeber1, Sofia Kantorovich2,3, and Christian Holm1 — 1Institut fuer Computerphysik, Universitaet Stuttgart, Allmandring 3a, 70569 Stuttg — 2Sapienza, University of Rome, Iazza A. Miro 5, 00185 Italy — 3Ural Federal University, Lenin Av. 51,Ekatarinburg, 620083 Russia
Magnetic gels consist of magnetic nano-particles embedded in a cross-linked polymer network. They have potential applications ranging from medicine to engineering, e.g., drug release systems and artificial muscles. These applications rely on the combination of the mechanical properties of the polymer network with the ability to modify and control the sample with external magnetic fields due to the embedded magnetic nano-particles.
Today, many aspects of the synthesis of ferrogels are understood and the properties of gels can be characterized and tailored. However, many questions concerning the microstructure and its influence on macroscopic properties of magnetic gels are still open. Here computer simulations can help since they allow to study simplified model systems which focus on certain characteristic features of the material.
In this contribution we present a computer model for a gel, which is cross-linked by magnetic nano-particles. When the nano-particles orient to align to an external field, they drag the polymer chains attached to them and thereby deform the gel. In the presentation, we will explore the deformation mechanism in two and three dimensions as well as the elastic properties of the system.