Electrorheological fluids
- Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States)
- Sandia National Lab., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
An electrorheological fluid is a substance whose form changes in the presence of electric fields. Depending on the strength of the field to which it is subjected, an electrorheological fluid can run freely like water, ooze like honey or solidify like gelatin. Indeed, the substance can switch from ne state to another within a few milliseconds. Electrorheological fluids are easy to make; they consist of microscopic particles suspended in an insulating liquid. Yet they are not ready for most commercial applications. They tend to suffer from a number of problems, including structural weakness as solids, abrasiveness as liquids and chemical breakdown, especially at high temperatures. Automotive engineers could imagine, for instance, constructing an electrorheological clutch. It was also hoped that electrorheological fluids would lead to valveless hydraulic systems, in which solidifying fluid would shut off flow through a thin section of pipe. Electrorheological fluids also offer the possibility of a shock absorber that provides response times of milliseconds and does not require mechanical adjustments. 3 refs.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 41670
- Journal Information:
- Scientific American, Journal Name: Scientific American Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 269; ISSN SCAMAC; ISSN 0036-8733
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Electrorheological fluids
Electrorheological fluids; Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference, Raleigh, NC, Aug. 7-9, 1989