Project Specification

FAV (Fluid Audio Visualizer) - Limited Edition version

FAV is an audio visualizer that uses ferrofluid. The device's electromagnet interact with the sound being played to make the magnetic fluid dance.

Specifications

Liquid		Magnetic fluid + carrier liquid = 120ml
Magnetic fluid life time		3,000 ~ 4,000 hours (depending on usage environment, Magnetic fluids do not decrease their lifespan when there is no movement.)
FRQ split chip		7-band sound FRQ range split
Electromagnet		Custom made electromagnet drive unit
Safety sensor	Overvoltage, reverse voltage cutoff and overheat prevention automatic power off
Speaker	5W full-range speaker x2, passive radiator x1
Wireless audio module (2.4GHz)	A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, PBAP, SPP, GATT Profiles support / SBC,AAC codec support / iPhone, Android, laptop, and other 2.4GHz communication wireless devices can be connected
Audio input	3.5mm 3-pole stereo plug (applicable to low-power small devices such as mobile phones, laptops, pin microphones, etc.)
Audio output	3.5mm 3-pole stereo plug (high output, you may need a preamplifier between devices for high sound quality)
USB port	Mini type B, for firmware update
Micro SD card slot	Save preset function file (to be updated later / memory card not included)
Lamp color and brightness	Warm white (Brightness can be adjusted using the rear knob)
Weight	1.6kg (package weight: 2.6kg)
Size(W ,L, H)	155, 132, 160mm
Case color	White
Power	25w
Voltage Input	100V, 240V / 50-60HZ
Voltage output	DC 12V, 3A

Overview

What is Ferrofluid?

FAV is a ferrofluid audio visualizer. Ferrofluid is a material first developed by NASA in the 1960s. It has been used for fuel transport in zero-gravity space, spacecraft, and sealing connections in space suits. In modern times, it is used as a damper for high-end speakers, a rotating shaft for motors, and gas sealing. The composition of the magnetic fluid is very fine iron particles and a surfactant coated on it, and base oil. It is a liquid magnetic substance that does not sink because it is so small that it is invisible to the naked eye and is evenly distributed in the base oil due to the surfactant component.

Research and Design of FAV

It is very tricky to keep the ferrofluid from sticking to the glass bottle. Most of the existing cheap magnetic fluid toys are difficult to use because the magnetic fluid easily sticks to the glass bottle or the magnetic fluid changes after a certain period of time. The glass surface processing technology developed with BurnSlap's proprietary technology prevents magnetic fluid from easily sticking to the glass surface.

In addition, it does not change easily by using a high-quality magnetic fluid and a transparent liquid developed exclusively for display. Developed in close collaboration with partners with world-class technology.

Magnetic fluid is characterized by being easily changed in a transparent aqueous solution. If you move vigorously like in FAV, the rate of degradation increases exponentially. BurnSlap has been working with partners to solve these problems.

In addition, to directly verify this, a specially designed test device was designed and manufactured to test the quality of magnetic fluid in an environment similar to FAV. We are working towards more reliable life expectancy estimates.

The unique movement of the magnetic fluid created by the FAV creates a more beautiful movement with an independently developed hardware circuit design and software algorithm. In the meantime, the operation and function have been improved through various device and circuit modifications.

In addition, the electromagnet used as the core component was designed by BurnSlap. This is because it is difficult to make the movement of a fluid attractive with existing off-the-shelf electromagnets. It is made with Burnslap’s proprietary technology designed to harmonize the size and shape of the magnetic field and energy efficiency.

FAV has wireless and wired speaker function. It sounds pretty decent among 5W speakers. It may be not up to the standards of audiophiles, that is why BurnSlap provides an AUX terminal so that excellent speakers from other companies can be used. In addition, the pass-through function is possible through the line input terminal, and you can see the FAV responding to all sounds by connecting a microphone.

The artist

DAKD JUNG, who developed FAV, is a technology-based installation artist who is active in Korea. Since 2016, he has been creating installation art works using magnetic fluids, mainly focusing on the study of visual expression on the movement of fluids.