Ferrofluid climbs a magnetized steel sculpture, viewed from above.

By Alex Unger, Scott Hodges, Zachary Rice. for Spring 2014 Team Second.
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Ferrofluid climbs a magnetized steel sculpture, viewed from above.

Ferrofluid climbs a magnetized six inch steel ‘tree’, forming spikes due to the normal field instability.

Ferrofluid climbs a magnetized six inch steel ‘tree’.

Air pulled into ferrofluid forms the Saffman-Taylor fingering instability as the plates of a Hele-Shaw cell are separated.

A thin layer of dyed corn syrup is rippled by additional fresh water flowing over the surface.

Two simultaneous instabilities: food dye and corn syrup exhibit a Marangoni instabiltiy, and dyed water injected into the corn syrup show the Saffman-Taylor fingering instability, all in a Hele Shaw cell.

Streams of Elmer’s Glue in water diffuse into clouds.

Streams of Elmer’s Glue fall through water.

A stream of Elmer’s Glue falling into water forms convoluted shapes. Surface tension holds glue at the surface during a rope coiling instability for a short time.

A stream of Elmer’s Glue dropped into water is held at the surface. Here the image is mirrored by the surface and then flipped vertically.