Demonstrating Magnetic Fields with Helmholtz Coils in a Snow Globe -- Episode 525

This is fun! Really like the idea!

I wonder if you're running into Earnshaw's theorem here since the iron filings don't have any constraint to cause them to be suspended along the magnetic lines of force. AFAIK, pure magnetic suspensions are servomechanisms where the magnetic fields are dynamically adjusted to maintain an equilibrium state. Without getting too fancy, could this work if you varied the magnetic field at a 'resonant' frequency (on-off, N-S/S-N, etc.) that would depend on the iron filings being damped by the mineral oil such that they'd stay relatively stationary? As you mentioned, might need to vary the viscous fluid. Seems like there must be a range of combinations of iron powder grind, magnetic field strength, magnetic variation frequency, and fluid viscosity that would get this to work...

I need to hurry and clean off my bench and start playing... I see holiday gifts maybe :-)

Thanks for the fun idea and video with your initial work! Happy holidays! 

Paul

What brand of 3D printer did you use?? I do not have one and am looking into getting one.

What brand of 3D printer would you recommend??

Do you have a power supply that can also do constant current?  Try driving the coils with this power supply.  The coils are "oil cooled" so go ahead and drive them hard!  Send us pix of what happens.  Have fun!

Wish you best of luck on future design.

Very cool!  Awesome project concept.

Interesting project!