Making Ferrofluid Dance to the Music!

In this project I will show you how I took a boring flask filled with ferrofluid and turned it into a music reactive goo. For that I will be using an Arduino and an MSGEQ7 IC which determines the strength of the frequency bands in our music. This way the Arduino will know how much bass, middle and high frequencies there are and thus not only turn on LEDs according to the beat but also electromagnets which will move our ferrofluid. Let's get started!

Step 1: Watch the Video!

The video will give you pretty much all the information you need to create your own dancing ferrofluid. During the next steps though I will present you some additional information.

Step 2: Order Your Components!

Here you can find a parts list with example seller (affiliate links):

Ferrofluid: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_ANf6K4

Arduino Nano: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dULoNXh

Audio Jack: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6P8Gwx

MSGEQ7: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AMsSco

Resistors: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTPpXjt

Capacitors: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dU4FEsB

APA102 LED Strip: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ag0jtq

IRLZ34N MOSFET: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_A7iKBm

1N4003 Diode: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_A85ToU

Copper wire: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_9QN9yM

PCB Terminal: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYbstfZ

Step 3: 3D Print the Enclosure!

Here you can find the .stl files for 3D printing!

Step 4: Create the Circuit!

Here you can find the schematic for the project as well as reference pictures of my finished design.

Step 5:

Here you can find the code for the project! Make sure to upload it to the Arduino.

Make sure to download/include those libraries:

https://github.com/NicoHood/MSGEQ7

https://github.com/FastLED/FastLED

Step 6: Success!

You did it! You just created your own dancing ferrofluid!

Feel free to check out my YouTube channel for more awesome projects:

http://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab

You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter for news about upcoming projects and behind the scenes information:

https://twitter.com/GreatScottLab

https://www.facebook.com/greatscottlab