Abstract: A method of producing an assembled object from a plurality of layers is provided. The method comprises generating a layer of a sintered mass of a sinterable powder on a surface and transferring the layer to an object to be assembled. The sinterable powder may be applied to a surface and at least part of the sinterable powder is fused with a radiant energy source to form a layer of sintered powder. The layer of sintered powder is then transferred to the object to be assembled, the object comprising a plurality of layers of sintered powder fused together. A sinterable powder composition is also provided. The sintered powder comprises at least one thermoplastic polymer and a light absorber. Other materials such as fillers, additives, and flow agents may also be added to the composition. An object comprised of a plurality of layers wherein each layer is a sintered mass of a sinterable powder and each layer is fused at least in part to another layer is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in certain embodiments, improved microfluidic systems and methods for fabricating improved microfluidic systems, which contain one or more levels of microfluidic channels. The inventive methods can provide a convenient route to topologically complex and improved microfluidic systems. The microfluidic systems provided according to the invention can include three-dimensionally arrayed networks of fluid flow paths therein including channels that cross over or under other channels of the network without physical intersection at the points of cross over. The microfluidic networks of the invention can be fabricated via replica molding processes, also provided by the invention, utilizing mold masters including surfaces having topological features formed by photolithography.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer powder which comprises polyamide, and to the use of this powder for shaping processes, and also to moldings produced from this polymer powder. The shaping processes are layer-by-layer processes which use powders, where regions of the respective layer are selectively melted via introduction of electromagnetic energy. The selectivity may—with no intention of restricting the invention thereto—be achieved via masks, application of inhibitors, of absorbers, or of susceptors, or via focusing of the energy introduced. After cooling, the regions then solidified can be removed in the form of moldings from the powder bed. Compared with moldings composed of conventional powders, the moldings constructed using the inventive powder by one of the inventive processes exhibit marked advantages in terms of component properties, particularly surface finish.

Abstract: A polymer film or fiber having abilities of rapid and repeated stretching, contraction and deformation in a gas such as air (dry system), achieves deformation ratio of 10 times or more compared to conventional methods. In the deformation method of a polymer film or fiber by absorption and desorption of molecules by an external stimulus, the external stimulus is applied to the polymer film or fiber in a deformed state so as to generate an internal force, by which the elastic modulus of the polymer film or fiber in the deformed state is changed, and then the polymer film or fiber is deformed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a container from a thermoplastic blank (2), comprising: a step in which the blank (2) is heated using at least one beam (22) of coherent electromagnetic radiation, and a step in which the container is formed from the blank (2) thus heated. The invention also relates to an installation (1) which is used to produce containers (2) and which comprises a unit (16) for heating the blanks (2) in order to form containers from the blanks (2) thus heated. The inventive installation (1) defines a path (23) along which the blanks (2) travel inside the heating unit (16). In addition, the heating unit (16) comprises at least one coherent electromagnetic radiation source (26) which is directed towards a zone (25) that is located on the aforementioned path (23).

Abstract: A 1,4-di-substituted diacetylene polymer that is soluble in organic solvent, is composed of a repeating unit represented by the general formula ?CR—C?C—CR?? (wherein, R and R? represent identical or different monovalent organic substituents), and has an average degree of polymerization of 4 to 200 and a ratio (Mw/Mn) of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight corresponding to said average degree of polymerization (Mn) of 1.1 to 5.0, and a process for producing the 1,4-di-substituted diacetylene polymer by irradiating a solution of the soluble 1,4-di-substituted diacetylene polymer with laser light having a wavelength within the range of 250 to 1,200 nm, and preferably 550 to 900 nm, to cause a photodegradation reaction of said polymer, or heating a solution of the soluble 1,4-di-substituted diacetylene polymer to a temperature of 100 to 300° C.

Abstract: A method of shrinking a film comprises the steps of providing a shrink film and exposing the film to an amount of radiation energy effective to activate the shrink characteristic of the film. The film comprises one or more thermoplastic polymers and at least about 0.001 weight % of single-walled carbon nanotube material based on the weight of the film.

Abstract: A method of producing an improved cell growth surface and cell attachment surface. According to the present invention, a polymer article is molded at temperature in excess of 550° F. at the injection tip. After allowing the part to cool, a stream of plasma comprised of activated gaseous species generated by a microwave source is imparted on the article. This stream is directed at the surface of a polymer substrate in a controlled fashion such that the surface is imparted with attributes for cell adhesion superior to those of untreated polymer or polymer treated by other methods.

Abstract: A imprint lithography system operable for imprinting a pattern into a material deposited between an imprint mold and a substrate, the system including, inter alia, a first set of imaging units positioned at a first angle relative to normal of the substrate; and a second set of imaging units positioned at a second angle relative to normal of the substrate, wherein the first and second angles are not equal to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of planarizing a substrate with a template spaced-apart from the substrate having a liquid disposed therebetween, the method including: contacting the liquid with the template forming a first shape therein; and impinging radiation upon the liquid causing a reduction in volume of the liquid, with the first shape compensating for the reduction in volume such that upon impinging the actinic radiation upon the liquid, the liquid forms a contoured layer having a substantially planar shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a hose including a weaving machine and a liner feeder for forming the hose by weaving a jacket about a liner as the liner is being fed into the weaving machine, where the liner is provided with an adhesive layer on an outer surface, the adhesive layer being doped with a radiation absorbing element. The apparatus includes a feeder for receiving and for flattening the hose and an oven located downstream from the feeder, including a bore through which the hose passes, the oven including a module for applying radiation to the hose so that the radiation absorbing element heats following the application of radiation for bonding the liner to the jacket. A winder is located downstream at a predetermined distance away from the oven for pulling and winding the hose and provided with a pressurizer for internally pressurizing a portion of the hose located between the winder and the feeder so that when the hose is in the oven, the pressurizer forces the liner against the jacket.

Abstract: A waveguide array is fabricated by providing a photoreactive material and generating an optical intensity pattern corresponding to a geometry of the waveguide array. A relative translation of the photoreactive material is effected through the optical intensity pattern. Thereafter, the photoreactive material is rendered substantially unreactive to light at at least a wavelength of the optical intensity pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for formation of a three dimensional object comprising a sealed container; an electron beam subsystem capable of directing energy within said container; a positioning subsystem contained within said container; a wire feed subsystem contained within said container; an instrumentation subsystem electronically connected to said electron beam subsystem, positioning subsystem, and wire feed subsystem; and a power distribution subsystem electrically connected to said electron beam subsystem, positioning subsystem, wire feed subsystem, and said instrumentation subsystem.

Abstract: Fluoroelastomers are combined with chemical agents in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide by swelling the fluoroelastomer with the carbon dioxide, and impregnating the swollen fluorelastomer with the chemical agent. The process can be conducted at relatively low temperatures and pressures such that degradation of the fluoroelastomer or the chemical agent is avoided. The chemical agent is preferably a curing agent which includes functional groups that interact with functional groups on the fluoroelastomer to create an association therebetween. The process is enhanced by pre-dissolving the chemical agent in a solvent which does not solubilize the fluoroelastomer to a great extent, but which is itself soluble in supercritical carbon dioxide. In addition, during combining, mechanical mastication is performed to create a free flowing powder.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of a web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll; a second pattered roll; and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 microns, and preferably at least 20 microns.

Abstract: A composite material that includes from about 18 wt % to about 22 wt % of a thermosetting polymeric resin; and from about 82 wt % to about to about 78 wt % of an inorganic filler, wherein the inorganic filler comprises a mixture of particles wherein about 20 parts by weight of the mixture has an average particle size of about 10 ?m or larger, about 15 parts by weight of the mixture has an average particle size of from less than 10 ?m to about 5 ?m, and about 10 parts by weight of the mixture has an average particle size of from about 3 to about 1 ?m.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an anisotropic formed body in which functional, magnetic fine particles are oriented in a specific direction within a matrix and in which anisotropy is given to properties attributable to the functional fine particles. The apparatus allows use of a wide variety of materials as the functional fine particles and realizes an anisotropy which is parallel and of a uniform interval within a large area. Further, a method for manufacturing an anisotropic formed body, includes applying, by using a superconducting magnet device, a uniform and parallel magnetic field with magnetic lines of force at equal intervals and parallel to each other, to a mold in which the matrix is filled with a liquid molding material containing functional, magnetic fine particles, to orient the functional fine particles in a direction of the magnetic lines of force, whereby the liquid molding material subsequently hardens.

Abstract: Densified composites of silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and boron nitride that exhibit high creep resistance are obtained by sintering a mixture of amorphous powders of silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and boron nitride in the presence of an electric field under high pressure. The grain size in the resulting composite is less than 100 nanometers for all components of the composite, and the composite exhibits high creep resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding balloon catheters is disclosed. The balloon may be molded by providing a polymeric tube within a mold having an interior cavity in the shape of the desired balloon. Microwave energy, which may be generated by a gyrotron, may then be directed toward the mold, to heat the polymeric material without heating the mold. Once heated, pressurized fluid may be injected into the tube to blow the polymeric material against the interior cavity whereupon the material can cool to form the balloon or can be further heatset by additional microwave energy and be cooled to form the balloon. In accordance with one embodiment, microwave energy can also be used without a mold to form a medical device.

Abstract: A method for the homogeneous heating of semitransparent and/or transparent glass and/or glass-ceramic articles using infrared radiation so that the glass and/or glass-ceramic articles undergo heat treatment at between 20 and 3000° C., notably at between 20 and 1705° C. Heating is achieved by a component of infrared radiation which acts directly on the glass and/or glass-ceramic articles and by a component of infrared radiation which acts indirectly on said glass and/or glass-ceramic articles. The radiation component indirectly acting on the glass and/or glass-ceramic articles accounts for more than 50% of total radiation output.

Abstract: A process for producing fused alumina-zirconia grits includes mixing raw materials suitable to produce grits with the following chemical composition, in % by weight: ZrO2+HfO2: 10–60%, Al2O3: 38–90%, SiO2: <0.8%, and Impurities: <1.2%. The process also includes adding carbon and aluminum metal to the mixture of raw materials to obtain a charged batch containing, in % by weight,: Carbon: 0.4–1% Aluminum metal: 0.5–2.5%. The process further includes melting the charged batch in an electric arc furnace with a voltage of 175–205 V and a delivered specific electrical energy of 2.5 to 4 kWh per kg of charge.

Abstract: Process for producing hollow bodies comprising fiber-reinforced ceramic materials, where mold cores whose shape corresponds to that of the hollow spaces are produced in a first step, at least one mold core together with a press moulding composition or formable fiber composition are introduced into a mold, where the press moulding composition comprises carbon fibers and/or carbon filaments and thermally curable carbonizable binders, in such a way that the position of the cores corresponds to the desired position of the hollow spaces to be formed in a second step, the composition is cured in a third step by heating to a temperature of from 120° C. to 280° C., to give a green body, the strengthened green body is carbonized and or graphitized in a fourth step by heating in a nonoxidizing atmosphere to a temperature of from about 750° C. to about 2400° C.

Abstract: Process for producing shaped bodies comprising fiber-reinforced ceramic materials, where a green body is produced in a first step by introducing a press moulding composition into a mold, where the press moulding composition comprises carbon fibers and/or carbon filaments and pitch and/or resins which, when treated thermally and with the exclusion of oxidizing agents, form carbon-containing residues, the green body is cured in a second step by heating to a temperature of from 120° C. to 280° C. under pressure, the cured green body, also referred to as intermediate body, is carbonized in a third step by heating in a nonoxidizing atmosphere to a temperature of from about 750° C. to about 1100° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing glass-ceramic parts and/or glass parts by deformation of a glass-ceramic blank and/or glass blank. The invention is characterized in that forming is carried out using infrared radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer blend for fabricating monolayer films or a layer within a multilayer film. The blend has a first component and a second component. The first component is selected from the group of: (1) an ethylene and ?-olefin copolymer having a density of less than about 0.915 g/cc, (2) lower alkyl acrylates, (3) lower alkyl substituted alkyl acrylates and (4) ionomers. The first component should be present in an amount from about 99% to about 55% by weight of the blend. The second component in an amount by weight of the blend from 45% to about 1% and consists of one or more polymers of the group: (1) propylene containing polymers, (2) polybutene polymers, (3) polymethylpentene polymers, (4) cyclic olefin containing polymers and (5) bridged polycyclic hydrocarbon containing polymers.

Abstract: Fluoropolymer materials containing tetrafluoroethylene monomers, such as PTFE, are significantly swollen by supercritical carbon dioxide at high temperatures and pressures. The swollen fluoropolymer is processable by molding, extrusion, and other techniques. In addition, the fluoropolymer may be sintered at significantly lower temperatures compared to a nonswollen fluoropolymer material. The melting temperature of fluorinated polymers containing tetrafluoroethylene and triflouroethylene monomers which are swollen with supercritical carbon dioxide is significantly reduced, thereby permitting manufacturing operations such as extruding and molding to be performed at lower temperatures and with reduced risk of decomposition.

Abstract: A method for making agglomerate particles from a composition comprising at least a radiation curable binder and solid particulates. The method comprises the steps of forcing the composition through a perforated substrate to form agglomerate precursor particles which then separate from the perforated substrate. Then, the particles are irradiated to form soldified, handleable agglomerate particles before being collected.

Abstract: A conductive silicon nitride composite sintered body having an average grain size of 200 nm or less and whose relative roughness (Ra) after electric discharge machining is 0.6 ?m or less can be obtained by grinding/mixing a silicon nitride powder and a metal powder together until the average particle size of the silicon nitride powder becomes 30 to 60 nm, and subsequently by molding and sintering. With the contexture that is characteristic of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a conductive silicon nitride composite sintered body having electric conductive particles of 5 to 60 volume percent that is capable of electric discharge machining.

Abstract: A method of assembling a filter element includes the initial step of forming a plastic filter casing with openings from a flat blank with opposite ends thereof bent towards one another and joining these opposite ends together by a sealing seam. Also, a resilient mat filter is folded into a cylindrical shape and pushed open on a fluid-permeable supporting pipe to surround and engage the surrounding pipe. The cylindrical shape of the mat filter has an exterior diameter prior to introduction into the casing that is larger than an interior diameter of the filter casing along the entire axial length of the mat filter. The mat folder is folded into a conical shape to facilitate its introduction thereof into the filter casing. After the axial end is formed, the mat filter and supporting pipe are introduced into the filter casing to define a filter chamber. Finally, two end caps are joined to the filter casing.

Abstract: The method of making a dental device or the like which involves starting with a pattern of the device to be made, closely surrounding that pattern with a settable material to form a unit with the pattern, separating the unit and removing the pattern therefrom, filling the thus produced space with settable material of the type desired for the ultimate device, setting that material and removing the set material constituting the device to be made, and in particular utilizing a retention device to enclose the settable materials and other contents. The process is particularly useful when the device is to be made of a light-sensitive material, in which case the retention device and the first-used settable material are light-transmissive and the retention device preferably focuses light on the material to be set.

Abstract: A cushioning molded product is provided which is produced by binding a vegetable fiber with a copolymer of a saccharide and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid to conduct molding. Further a process is provided for producing a cushioning molded product from a copolymer of a saccharide and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and a vegetable fiber, the process comprising (a) mixing or adhering the copolymer and the vegetable fiber, and (b) molding the resulting mixture into an intended shape by heating the mixture to bind the vegetable fiber with the copolymer.

Abstract: A freeform fabrication method for fabricating a 3-D multi-material or multi-color object from successive layers of a primary body-building powder, at least a modifier material and a binder powder in accordance with a computer-aided design of the object.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a processing approach for the rapid and efficient in-situ polymerization of specially prepared precursor mixtures to achieve near-net-shape production of objects/articles with exact dimensions. The process relies on the use of polymerizable compositions comprised of a mixture of a reactive plasticizer and an initiator, optionally also including a dead polymer, which compositions are semi-solid-like and induce little shrinkage upon curing as a result of their partially polymerized nature prior to processing. The articles of the invention have a surface and an interior core, the composition of the surface material being distinct from the composition of the core material while at the same time the surface and the core are an integral, monolithic entity. In addition, the articles are dimensionally stable and exhibit high fidelity replication.

Abstract: A low crystallizability polypropylene sheet which has an average spherulite radius between 0.1 &mgr;m and 4 &mgr;m, an average number of spherulites of 600/mm2 or less in a sheet cross section, a solid density of 0.895 g/cm3 or less, a fusion enthalpy H of less than 90 J/g at the highest endothermic peak of the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve, a degree of gloss of 90% or higher on at least one side and shows an exothermic peak of 1 J/g or higher at the low temperature side of said highest endothermic peak and a thickness of 50 &mgr;m or more.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing polymer spherical bodies and is to produce a large size spherical body having no residual strain. This method comprises suspending a liquid monomer in a supporting liquid having a magnetic susceptibility &khgr;2 larger than a magnetic susceptibility &khgr;1 of any one of the monomer and the resulting polymer and not dissolving substantially the monomer, and applying a gradient magnetic field to the supporting liquid to float droplets of the monomer at a given position in the supporting liquid, and polymerizing and solidifying the droplets while maintaining a state that the droplet is substantially shaped into a sphere through surface tension. This method is made possible to produce polymer spherical bodies capable of using in optical application and the like.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing a molded body, in which a preferably powdered, pasty, or granular molding material is heated and compressed in a pressing cavity, and the molding material is heated by producing ohmic heat in it.

Abstract: A method of infusing a dye into the surface of an article formed of a plastic material comprises contacting the surface with a solution including one or more solvents each aggressive to the plastic material, one or more dyes and one or more substances each capable of plasticizing the plastic material. If the plastic material is polycarbonate, then the aggressive solvent may be one or more chlorinated hydrocarbons. The dye may be a photochromic dye, a cosmetic tinting dye, dyes for absorbing infrared, laser and ultraviolet radiation, or combinations thereof. A wide range of plasticizers has been investigated. The article is contacted by the solution for ten seconds to one minute; and nearly all the infused solvent is then evaporated from the article by heating. The use of one or more plasticizers reduces or eliminates bubbling or hazing of the contacted surface during solvent evaporation.

Abstract: Methods for temperature control in microwave processing of materials, for example microwave sintering, annealing and other forms of microwave heating, are disclosed in which the material is formed into a selected shape and size such that at least a part of the materials reaches a state of thermal equilibrium at a desired temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing high-density polyidimide (HPI) films and its production equipment. The production equipment comprises a raw material supplying means, a vacuum cavity, an energy supplier, a clad laminator, and a baked solidified polymer. The foregoing components constitutes the production equipment, using the monomer with the CONH bond or copolymer as raw materials to extract the unsaturated C═N bond by heat, electrons, light, radiation rays or ions as energy under low-pressure environment, so that the H in vacuum can extract the non-solidified HPI film from the electronic radical covalent polymers and via heat or light to rearrange the structure into a solidified HPI film. By means of the method according to the present invention, the original HPI that is not easily to produce as a film can be easily made in form of a film of HPI polymer on the clad laminator.

Abstract: Methods of producing an intraocular lens include introducing a solution into a lens forming enclosure, wherein the solution comprises discrete crosslinkable units of a size small enough to provide an optically clear solution while contributing to a high refractive index of at least 1.3, performing crosslinking between the units of the solution, and thereby forming a solid lens in the enclosure, optionally under a forming pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a variable lamination manufacturing process and apparatus. The method comprises the step of coating strip-shaped material with an adhesive while the strip-shaped material is fed. Thereafter, the strip-shaped material being fed is cut into material pieces of a variable width, variable inclinations and a variable length in accordance with the three-dimensional computer aided design data of a three-dimensional product using a linear heat source. The cut material pieces are stacked on a moving table to be positioned in the corresponding positions of the three-dimensional product. Finally, the stacked cut material pieces are pushed to bond one piece to anther.

Abstract: An encoder made of rubber material in which the S-poles and the N-poles are alternately magnetized in circumference, whose magnetic force is strong and whose variation of the magnetic force is slight in the circumferential direction when it is magnetized. And a manufacturing method thereof. A ring shaped rubber compound made of unvulcanized rubber material into which magnetic powders are mixed and having thickness t1 of 1.5 times to 5 times thicker than the thickness t of the encoder made of rubber material as the final product is vulcanizingly molded. In this vulcanizingly molding process, the thickness of ring shaped rubber compound is reduced to one fifth (⅕) to two thirds (⅔) by compressing the ring shaped rubber compound in the axial direction under high temperature. And then, vulcanizingly molded one is magnetized S-poles and N-poles alternately in circumference.

Abstract: A particle board, a fiberboard or an oriented strand board (25) is formed by the process according to the invention from a mixture of a comminuted cellulose material and a binder, especially a synthetic resin containing an unsaturated oligimer, that is hardenable by electron radiation. The process of the invention includes first forming a loosely scattered layer (4) of the mixture, e.g. on a conveyor belt, then compressing the layer in a press device (16), after performing a pre-compression in a pre-press in Some embodiments, and rapid setting of the layer (4) by means of electron radiation from an electron radiation device (22). Unlike the known processes that only use a thermosetting binder, the inventive method is hindered neither by heat transfer to the center of the board nor by a non-uniform humidity profile. High quality boards may be produced at a high yield without splitting and these boards require no conditioning storage.

Abstract: Disclosed is both a method and composition for forming a thermo-formable acoustical panel. The panel may be formed from multi-component polymer fibers or mono-filament polymer fibers dispersed in a mineral fiber batt. The polymer fibers are bound to the mineral fibers by the application of heat to form the acoustical panel.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter including a reinforcement layer having a plurality of interwoven metal wire members and polymer members. The polymer members are thermally processed to permeate the metal wire members to form a polymeric layer having an orientation which is interwoven with the metal wire members.

Abstract: Manufactured articles and methods of producing such articles are disclosed where the article has a thermoplastic polymer component and a curable polymer component. The curable polymer may be moisture-curable polymer, or microwave, dielectric or radio frequency curable polymer. The articles may be manufactured by a variety of polymer processing methods including extrusion, co-extrusion, co-molding, injection molding and calendering. A variety of articles and shapes may be made by the method including electric wire and cable, and weatherstripping.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gel candle having a non-metal core wick that stands upright and is not bent, wilted, or submerged in the gel candle body. In one aspect, the method includes providing a gel-forming liquid composition in a candle container having a longitudinal axis running therethrough, the gel-forming liquid composition having an average temperature of between about 195° F. and about 230° F.; thereafter, inserting a wick-clip having a non-metal core wick into the composition in the container when the temperature of the composition substantially in the center of the container is between about 160° F. and about 195° F.; and drawing the wick-clip through the composition and positioning the wick-clip in the container using a magnetic material. After the positioning step, the non-metal core wick is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the container. In another aspect, the method can further include cooling the composition in the container.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polymer film having second order non-linear optical properties which has excellent stability of orientated molecules and does not become disorientated, and a polymer film and a non-linear optical element are provided. A polymer solution is placed between two substrates, which are disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to a rotating stand and substantially symmetrical with respect to a rotation axis of the rotating stand, and the rotating stand is rotated. A polymer film having second order non-linear optical properties is formed by the centrifugal force generated at the polymer solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing pharmaceutical capsules use an aqueous solution of a thermogelling cellulose ether composition and use capsule body pins and capsule cap pins as molds. The method involves heating the pins, dipping the pins into the solution to cause the solution to gelatinize on the surface of the pins, removing the pins and drying the gelatinized solution on the surface of the pins to form capsule bodies and capsule caps. Pins are heated pre-dip and post-dip to facilitate gelating. Counterflow air is applied to provide drying from the inside. Capsule parts are removed by gripping. Capsule parts may have a thick wall and a stiffening ring.

Abstract: Magnetic sculptures are formed by placing a ferrofluid in a shaped magnetic field. In response to the field, the ferrofluid forms fanciful sculptures as determined by the magnetic field lines. In one embodiment, a low viscosity and surface tension ferrofluid is used in a sealed housing to prevent the ferrofluid from evaporating. The housing is filled with a nonmagnetic liquid that is immiscible with the ferrofluid and contains a ferrofluid globule. In order to prevent the ferrofluid from wetting the inside surface of the housing and degrading the apparatus, the housing is comprised of a boro-silicate glass and the ferrofluid comprises a fluorocarbon carrier liquid. Magnetic sculptures can be formed by applying an external magnetic field of sufficient strength to the apparatus. In another embodiment, the aforementioned apparatus may contain a small permanent magnetic located within the ferrofluid globule.