Magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate (MHSH) whiskers were synthesized via a hydrothermal reaction by using MgO as the reactant as well as the acid solution. The effects of the H2SO4 amount and reaction time at the same temperature were studied. In general, MHSH whiskers were prepared using MgSO4 in aqueous ammonia. In this work, to reduce the formation of impurities and increase the purity of MHSH, we employed a synthesis technique that did not require the addition of a basic solution. Furthermore, the pH value, which was controlled by the H2SO4 amount, acted as an important factor for the formation of high-purity MHSH. MgO was used as the raw material because it easily reacts in water and forms Mg+ and MgOH+ ions that bind with SO4 2- ions to produce MHSH. Their morphologies and structures were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate whiskers (, abbreviated 513 MHSH) were prepared using hydrothermal reaction with magnesium oxide (MgO) and magnesium sulfate () as the starting materials. The effects of the molar ratio of /MgO and amount of were studied. As a result, 513 MHSH whiskers co-existed with hexagonal plate at low concentration of . The molar ratio of /MgO was 7:1, uniform 513 MHSH whiskers were formed without impurity such as . Appropriate amount of has affected to formation of high quality MHSH. Their morphologies and structures were determined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermo-gravimetric analyzer (TGA).

Rodents, specially rats, can recognize distance and shape of an object and also pattern of the textures by using their whiskers. Mechanoreceptors surrounding the root of whisker in their follicle measure deflection of the whisker. Rats can move their whisker back and forth freely. This ability, called active whisking or active sensing, is one of characteristics of rat behaviours. Many researches based on the mechanism have been progressed. In this paper, we test a simple and accurate method based on deflection of the whisker: we designed biomimetic whiskers modeling after a structure of follicle using the microphone. The microphone sensor measures a mechanical vibration. Attaching an artificial whisker beam to the microphone membrane, we can detect a vibration of whisker and this can show the deflection amount of whisker indirectly.