Magnetic Control of Flow and Mass Transfer in Weakly Conducting Fluids

Magnetic fields may be utilized for controlling flow and mass transfer in fluids. This review focuses on lab-scale applications in weakly conducting aqueous liquids and summarizes work I was involved in over the past 20 years. Control can easily be achieved by applying a current and taking advantage of the Lorentz force. If magnetic ions or molecules are involved, also the Kelvin force can be utilized. The examples given range from flow control at hydrofoils in marine applications to electrochemical applications with gas evolution and of metal deposition.