Magnetic Elastomers—Coupling Magnetic and Mechanical Interactions

ABSTRACT

Magnetic elastomers couple magnetic interactions between enclosed magnetic microscopic particles to their overall shape and mechanical response. A genuine understanding links the underlying micro‐ and macroscopic scales. We overview a recent proof‐of‐concept approach that shows how analytical considerations and statistical simulations can outline a corresponding scale connection. Structural properties on the particle scale are linked to overall properties of a simple example system. Optimizing the particle arrangement within the elastomer can maximize the requested material response. Ongoing and future investigations serve to quantify more realistic systems and geometries, to understand processes of structure formation and particle aggregation on the microscopic scale during the production process, to elucidate means of generating desirable particle structures, and to understand and improve the process of disseminating the corresponding scientific results.