Ferrofluids

I randomly find myself interested in science, especially physics. In one such instance, I came across ferrofluids.
Wikipedia's explanation of ferrofluids is:
'Ferrofluids are composed of nanoscale particles (diameter usually 10 nanometers or less) of magnetite, hematite or some other compound containing iron. This is small enough for thermal agitation to disperse them evenly within a carrier fluid, and for them to contribute to the overall magnetic response of the fluid. This is analogous to the way that the ions in an aqueous paramagnetic salt solution (such as an aqueous solution of copper(II)sulfate or manganese(II) chloride make the solution paramagnetic.'

All that is a fancy way of saying that a ferrofluid is a liquid that looks really cool when a magnetic field is applied to it. From an engineering standpoint, ferrofluids are used in high-powered computers and NASA is looking into uses for spaceflight, but what I find more interesting is how it's being used in art. Sachiko Kodama uses ferrofluids to climb and grow off various things, giving some really cool-looking things.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me5Zzm2TXh4&feature=player_embedded