Self-consistent simulation approach to magnetic soft matter

In this project we aim at investigating the behavior of magnetic colloids in fluid and gel carriers in AC magnetic fields, by means of computer simulations, in order to, on the one hand, shed light on the fundamental interplay between the shape and type of colloidal particle acting magnetic, mechanical and hydrodynamic forces and resulting dynamic magnetic response; on the other hand, to find the most efficient magneto-controllable systems for applications in hyperthermia. These questions are forming the front edge of the modern research in magnetic soft matter, however to answer them, one needs a qualitatively new approach that will consider both particle intrinsic magnetization dynamics and their spatial diffusion/self-assembly.

SAM project brings together two experts in two different fields, to merge the field of molec- ular dynamics of magnetic colloids with the field of thermally activated micromagnetics. The output of this synergy will be a self-consistent solution of the Langevin equations of motion for magnetic colloids combined with magnetization dynamics of individual particles in both liquid and gel carries at finite temperature. Such an approach can be constructed due to the unique combination of expertise of the PI and the National Research Partner: coarse-grained molecu- lar dynamic simulations of magnetic soft matter (PI) and micromagnetics (National Research Partner).

Important application of the developed approach will be the study of hyperthermia. The developed model will allow to study N´eel as well as Brownian heating mechanisms within the same model, thus making it possible to study in detail the contribution and importance of both as a function of properties of the magnetic particles (magnetic anisotropy, saturation magnetization, shape, size and density) as well as the properties of the carrier (viscosity for liquids and elasticity for gels).

Finally, the broader impact of SAM is in bringing together Physics of Magnetism and Soft Matter. These two fields till now are mainly developing parallely, regardless the potential profit and possible impact of collaborations. Such a joint effort to fundamentally understand dynamics of magnetic soft matter is clearly needed to make a step forward in the development of new smart materials.