Uses Of Ferro Fluid

Technological advances do not necessarily have to result in new products but often are merely an improvement on things we already use. Think about how much faster computers are able to process information than they were just a few years ago. However, sometimes the lab workers come up with a completely new concept that works in such a way as to be unbelievable, an idea that, until now, was only dreamed of by fiction writers. In this case the idea is smart fluids. There are three types of these fluids: ferro, magnetorheological, and electrorheological. Ferro Fluids.

What Are Smart Fluids?


You could not be blamed for being a little nervous upon hearing the words smart fluids. That term sounds as if there is a type of liquid that can think. However, it does not actually refer to thinking but to how the fluids react to different stimuli to which they are subjected. The stimuli which causes their properties to change are magnetic or electrical. Following is a discussion of the types of smart fluids and their possible uses.


Types Of Smart Fluids


The property that differentiates the different smart fluids from one another is the method of activation. A magnetic field is required to activate a magnetorheological fluid. Ferro fluid is very like this type of fluid but is used in different ways. Electrorheological fluids react to electricity. When each of these fluid types is exposed to the correct stimulus, their viscosity is increased. In other words, when subjected to electrical or magnetic fields, these fluids can change from their liquid form into a thicker gel like form instantly.  When the stimulus is removed, they immediately revert back to liquid.





Uses: Automobile Suspension


There are dampers in the suspension system of a car that are designed to keep the action of the springs under control so you experience less bounce after traveling over a bump in the road. Dampers make use of a thick oil that is forced through a small opening which slows down the spring action. By using smart fluids plus an electromagnetic field, a computer built in to the car can control the bouncing even more.

Uses: Computers


Computer hard drives spin at an incredibly high rate of speed almost continuously over the course of several years. To help keep them running smoothly and to keep dirt from getting into the moving parts, computer makers use a bearing which contains oil and a tiny magnet. Ferro Fluids.


Summary


By applying magnetic or electrical fields, the thickness and texture of smart fluids can be manipulated. Every day, developers are discovering more applications for these fluids in addition to automobile suspension dampers and hard drive hydraulic bearings. It is impossible to predict what new ideas will be coming out of the lab tomorrow.