A powerless iron oxide based magnetometer

This paper demonstrates a novel device visualizing and determining magnetic fields in six different directions. The device can be used in applications such as remote real estate construction sites requiring an inexpensive and powerless method of detection and determination of a magnetic field. The magnetometer uses magnetic properties of nanostructured iron oxide to aid in visualizing the location, direction and strength of magnetic fields. The device utilizes various sizes of permanent magnets which attract and hold the iron oxide nanoparticles in mini channels when there is no external magnetic field in the environment. Upon exposing to a magnetic field stronger than the magnetic strength of the holding magnet, the particles are repelled toward the external field. The magnetometer was fabricated by making tubes in an acrylic block in three dimensions and six directions, and filling them with iron oxide nanoparticles. The inner ends of the tubes were plugged by various sizes of permanent magnets and the outer ends were sealed by glass sheets. The device was exposed to different external fields created by various permanent magnets and successfully tested using a reference Gauss meter. The device was capable of identifying external magnetic fields up to 1455 Gauss.