Simulation of the formation of nonequilibrium structures in magnetorheological fluids subject to an external magnetic field

We developed a computer model to understand the nonequilibrium structures induced in a magnetorheological (MR) fluid by rapidly applying an external magnetic field. MR fluids consist of particles suspended in a liquid where particles interact through dipole moments induced by the external magnetic field. We have simulated these induced structures in both directions, parallel and perpendicular to the field, in the limit of fastest response, by neglecting thermal motion and applying the field instantaneously. Our results show that the process of structure formation starts with particles forming chains aligned with the external field. The chains then coalesce to form columns and wall-like structures (``worms'' as viewed from the top). The complexity of this pattern is found to depend on the concentration of particles and the confinement of the cell in the direction of the external field. These results are consistent with experimental observations G. A. Flores et al. , in Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on ER Fluids, MR Suspensions, and Associate Technology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, 1995, edited by W. Bullough (World Scientific, Singapore, 1996), p. 140. We have also used this model to study the interaction of two chains. The results of this study help in the understanding of the connection between the thickness of the sample and the increased complexity of the observed lateral pattern. 1996 The American Physical Society.