Ferrofluid // Silver

Ferrofluid—a combination of the words "ferromagnetic" and "fluid"—is a liquid with a high iron content. Invented by NASA in the 1960s, this fluid becomes magnetized only when in the presence of a strong enough magnetic field, and was originally conceived as a new type of rocket fuel that could be drawn into a pump inlet with magnets in zero-gravity environments. It was ultimately an unsuccessful project, but ferrofluid has the unexpected side effect of being incredibly fascinating and beautiful as it moves.

At rest, the fluid doesn't do much of anything. When exposed to a magnet, it becomes sharp and viscous, following the magnet like an amorphous space creature. It displays similar movement patterns to a lava lamp, but under the control of the person controlling the magnet.

This particular piece features a glass capsule full of ferrofluid that comes in a high quality polycarbonate display stand. This means the display can be left on a desk, table, or bookshelf, and the fluid with slowly climb, fall, and swirl all on its own. It also comes with two smaller magnets that you can hold to the side of the glass to make the fluid react to your movements.