Patent ID: 8034245

Claim:
A method for driving liquid flow, comprising: combining a liquid and a plurality of magnetic particles, wherein the magnetic particles have a density sufficient to remain at or near a free surface of the liquid by buoyancy or surface tension, such that the magnetic particles establish an area density with respect to the free surface of the liquid; and applying an AC magnetic field oriented such that magnetic field lines traverse the free surface, the AC magnetic field having an AC magnetic field frequency and an AC magnetic field strength such that some observed portion of the magnetic particles self-assemble into a multiplicity of individual chains, which organize into segments, which align to form snake structures exhibiting harmonic oscillation corresponding to the AC magnetic field frequency, wherein the harmonic oscillation of the snake structures is sufficient to produce independent movement of the snake structures across the free surface, forming a series of temporary liquid vortices and driving liquid flow at or near the free surface.