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A review of the latest theoretical advances in the description of magnetomechanical effects and phenomena observed in magnetoactive elastomers (MAEs), i.e., polymer networks filled with magnetic micro- and/or nanoparticles, under the action of external magnetic fields is presented. Theoretical modeling of magnetomechanical coupling is considered on various spatial scales: from the behavior of individual magnetic particles constrained in an elastic medium to the mechanical properties of an MAE sample as a whole. It is demonstrated how theoretical models enable qualitative and quantitative interpretation of experimental results. The limitations and challenges of current approaches are discussed and some information about the most promising lines of research in this area is provided. The review is aimed at specialists involved in the study of not only the magnetomechanical properties of MAEs, but also a wide range of other physical phenomena occurring in magnetic polymer composites in external magnetic fields.

We explore the possibility of creating an effective retinal fixator on the basis of magnetoactive elastomers (MAEs) and systems of permanent magnets. MAEs consist of silicone elastomer matrix with embedded magnetic iron microparticles. We study theoretically and experimentally magnetic forces acting between MAE samples and permanent magnets in various configurations. The theoretical model is based around classical magnetostatics and Maxwell equations with different parameters accounting for peculiarities of the material and the setup. Approximation of the experimentally measured magnetization curves for MAE samples was used to find input parameters for the theoretical model. To test the model, we conducted a series of experimental measurements of magnetic forces accompanied by model predictions for the system of one cylindrical magnet and a cuboid MAE sample. Calculated dependences of the average pressure arising from magnetic interactions on the distance between the closest faces of MAE samples and a permanent magnet are in a good agreement with the experimental data. The proof on concept for smaller magnetic systems required for eye surgery includes data for 10 magnets configuration and a thin MAE band. This research demonstrates high prospects of using MAE as an element of a magnetic fixator for treatment of complicated retinal detachments.

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Surface relief of magnetoactive elastomers (MAEs) based on soft polymer matrices filled with anisometric magnetically hard fillers is studied theoretically in magnetic fields applied perpendicular to the MAE surface.