Magneto rheological

fluids

What MR fluids?
Amagnetorheological fluid(MR fluid) is a type of
smart fluidin a carrier fluid, usually a type of oil. When
subjected to amagnetic field, the fluid greatly increases its
apparent viscosity, to the point of becoming aviscoelastic
solid. Importantly, the yield stress of the fluid when in its
active ("on") state can be controlled very accurately by
varying the magnetic field intensity. The upshot is that the
fluid's ability to transmit force can be controlled with an
electromagnet, which gives rise to its many possible
control-based applications. Extensive discussions of the
physics and applications of MR fluids can be found in a
recent book.[1]

Material behavior[edit]
To understand and predict the behavior of the MR fluid it
is necessary to model the fluid mathematically, a task
slightly complicated by the varying material properties
(such asyield stress). As mentioned above, smart fluids
are such that they have a low viscosity in the absence of
an applied magnetic field, but become quasi-solid with
the application of such a field. In the case of MR fluids
(andER), the fluid actually assumes properties
comparable to a solid when in the activated ("on") state,
up until a point of yield (theshear stressabove which
shearing occurs). This yield stress (commonly referred
to as apparent yield stress) is dependent on the
magnetic field applied to the fluid, but will reach a
maximum point after which increases in
magnetic flux densityhave no further effect, as the fluid
is then magnetically saturated. The behavior of a MR
fluid can thus be considered similar to aBingham plastic
, a material model which has been well-investigated.

Applications and mechanical aspects

Mechanical engineering[edit]
Magnetorheological dampersof various applications have been and
continue to be developed. These dampers are mainly used in heavy
industry with applications such as heavy motor damping, operator
seat/cab damping in construction vehicles, and more.
As of 2006, materials scientists and mechanical engineers are
collaborating to develop stand-aloneseismicdampers which, when
positioned anywhere within a building, will operate within the
building'sresonance frequency, absorbing detrimentalshock waves
andoscillationswithin the structure, giving these dampers the ability
to make any building earthquake-proof, or at least earthquakeresistant.[10]
Military and defense[edit]
The U.S. Army Research Office is currently funding research into using
MR fluid to enhance body armor. In 2003, researchers stated they
were five to ten years away from making the fluid bullet resistant. [11]
In addition, HMMWVs, and various other all-terrain vehicles employ
dynamic MR shock absorbers and/or dampers.
Optics[edit]
Magnetorheological finishing, a magnetorheological fluid-based
optical polishing method, has proven to be highly precise. It was used

Automotive[edit]
If theshock absorbersof a vehicle'ssuspensionare filled with
magnetorheological fluid instead of a plain oil or gas, and the channels
which allow the damping fluid to flow between the two chambers is
surrounded withelectromagnets, the viscosity of the fluid, and hence the
critical frequency of thedamper, can be varied depending on driver
preference or the weight being carried by the vehicle - or it may be
dynamically varied in order to provide stability control across vastly
different road conditions. This is in effect amagnetorheological damper. For
example, theMagneRideactive suspensionsystem permits the damping
factor to be adjusted once every millisecond in response to conditions.
General Motors(in a partnership withDelphi Corporation) has developed
this technology for automotive applications. It made its debut in both
Cadillac (Seville STS build date on or after 1/15/2002 with RPO F55) as
"Magneride" (or "MR") and Chevrolet passenger vehicles (AllCorvettes
made since 2003 with the F55 option code) as part of the driver selectable
"Magnetic Selective Ride Control (MSRC)" system in model year 2003. Other
manufacturers have paid for the use of it in their own vehicles. As of 2007,
BMW manufactures cars using their own proprietary version of this device,
while Audi and Ferrari offer the MagneRide on various models.
General Motors and other automotive companies are seeking to develop a
magnetorheological fluid based clutch system for push-button four wheel
drive systems. This clutch system would useelectromagnetsto solidify the
fluid which would lock thedriveshaftinto thedrive train.
Porschehas introduced magnetorheological engine mounts in the 2010

Aerospace[edit]
Magnetorheological dampers are under
development for use in military and commercial
helicopter cockpit seats, as safety devices in the
event of a crash.[12][13]They would be used to
decrease the shock delivered to a passenger's spinal
column, thereby decreasing the rate of permanent
injury during a crash.
Human prosthesis[edit]
Magnetorheological dampersare utilized in semiactive human prosthetic legs. Much like those used
in military and commercial helicopters, a damper in
the prosthetic leg decreases the shock delivered to
the patients leg when jumping, for example. This
results in an increased mobility and agility for the
patient.

Limitations[edit]
Although smart fluids are rightly seen as having many potential
applications, they are limited in commercial feasibility for the
following reasons:
High density, due to presence ofiron, makes them heavy.
However, operating volumes are small, so while this is a
problem
High-quality fluids are expensive.
Fluids are subject to thickening after prolonged use and need
replacing.
Commercial applications do exist, as mentioned, but will
continue to be few until these problems (particularly cost) are
overcome.

Unlike many of nature's deadly forces,earthquakesalmost always strike

without warning. These destructive and devastating forces can topple
cities in seconds, leaving behind rubble and tragedy in their wakes.
Earthquakes are not limited to any one area of the world or any one
season of the year. Although most earthquakes are just small tremors, it
only takes one to cause millions of dollars in property damage and
thousands of deaths. For this reason, scientists continue to pursue new
technologies to limit the destruction that earthquakes can dish out.
AtLord Corporation'slabs in Cary, N.C., researchers believe they have
developed, in cooperation withUniversity of Notre Dameresearchers,
the latest product that can reduce the damage caused by earthquakes.
Lord is one of the largest producers of a unique substance,
calledmagnetorheological fluid(MR fluid), which is being used inside
large dampers to stabilized buildings during earthquakes. MR fluid is a
liquid that changes to a near-solid when exposed to a magnetic force,
then back to liquid once the magnetic force is removed.
During an earthquake, MR fluid inside the dampers will change from
solid to liquid and back as tremors activate a magnetic force inside the
damper. Using these dampers in buildings and onbridgeswill
createsmart structuresthat automatically react to seismic activity.
This will limit the amount of damage caused by earthquakes. In this
edition ofHow Stuff WILL Work, you will learn more about MR fluid