Signal transmission with magnetic powdery wire in a pipeline

In this paper, we discuss a signal transmission function of an artificial circulatory system. We proposed a biomimetic circulatory system so as to imitate the homeostatic function of the human circulation system [1]. The following blood functions were imitated in the system: (1) clotting, (2) energy supply, and (3) motor cooling. However, the circulatory system has other functions, for example, signal transduction by hormones. Thus, we propose adding a signal transmission function to our artificial circulatory system. The proposed function was realized with iron powder and a magnetic field. Particles of iron powder aligned along the direction of the magnetic field lines and formed as a wire. We defined this as a magnetic powdery wire (MPW). The MPW has a self-repairing function. When the wire collapsed, iron powder was transferred to the MPW, and it was repaired. As a result of a signal transmission experiment, we confirmed that the pulse signals were transmitted properly. In the experiment, we observed a time lag in the rise time and fall time on the pulse waveforms. We hypothesized that this was because the wire consisted of iron powder, and the magnetic field became similar to that of a coil. As a result of the self-repairing experiment, we confirmed that the wire repaired itself after being broken and transmitted pulse signals properly. These results demonstrate that our system is able to transmit information and self-repair with iron powders and a magnetic field. Additionally, the observed phenomenon will be the basis for a new device.