This book focuses on smart materials and structures, which are also referred to as intelligent, adaptive, active, sensory, and metamorphic. The ultimate goal is to develop biologically inspired multifunctional materials with the capability to adapt their structural characteristics, monitor their health condition, perform self-diagnosis and self-repair, morph their shape, and undergo significant controlled motion.

The rheological properties of magnetorheological (MR) materials, such as their viscosity and dynamic modulus, can be tuned or controlled by changing the intensity of the magnetic field using appropriate control schemes. Thanks to their robustness, performance and smart properties, numerous studies have been undertaken on the development of new MR materials, and microscopic and macroscopic modelling approaches. Novel applications include engine mounts and clutch systems in the automotive industry, shock absorbing safety devices for cockpit seats in aerospace, and shock absorption from movement in semi-active human prosthetic legs.

Electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) fluids, which can be transformed from the liquid state into the solid state in milliseconds by applying an electric or a magnetic field, are smart fluids having the potential to revolutionize several industrial sectors. The Seventh International Conference on Electrorheological Fluids and Magnetorheological Suspensions took place at a time when some MR and ER applications were beginning to appear on the market, making a notable impact on industries. Scientists and engineers in multidisciplinary areas came together to explore the state-of-the-art technology and identify thrust areas to be focused on.This volume of proceedings collects contributions from most leading experts in the field. It reviews the most recent MR and ER applications, discusses the materials technology, explores the basic science research on ER and MR fluids, and examines the novel properties of these fluids. It provides the most up-to-date and probably the best information about the area. It can serve as a stimulating and valuable reference for research workers and students in materials science, condensed matter physics, engineering, and chemistry. The valuable information not only reports on the leading edge of research and applications, but also provides an overview of the field.

Leading experts provide a timely overview of the key developments in the physics, chemistry and uses of magnetorheological fluids.

Magnetorheological Fluid Technology: Applications in Vehicle Systems compiles the authors’ recent work involving the application of magnetorheological (MR) fluids and other smart materials in vehicles. It collects concepts that have previously been scattered in peer-reviewed international journals. After introducing the physical phenomena and properties of MR fluids, the book presents control methodologies for effectively controlling vehicle devices and systems featuring MR fluids. The authors also introduce the hysteresis identification of MR fluid and discuss its application through the adoption of the Preisach and polynomial models. They then describe the application of MR-equipped suspension systems in passenger, tracked, and railway vehicles; the application of MR brake systems in passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles; and the application of several MR technologies in heavy vehicles. The final chapter explores the use of haptic technologies for easily operating vehicle instruments and achieving optimal gear shifting with accelerator pedals. Assuming some technical and mathematical background in vibration, dynamics, and control, this book is designed for scientists and engineers looking to create new devices or systems for vehicles featuring controllable MR fluids. It is also suitable for graduate students who are interested in the dynamic modeling and control methodology of vehicle devices and systems associated with MR fluid technology.

ERMR 2006 included invited speakers, technical presentations, poster presentations, and a student paper competition. At the conference banquet, Dr. David Carlson of Lord Corporation addressed the conference attendees and gave a stirring speech on the history of ER and MR fluids, as well as current and future applications. A unique feature of the ERMR Conferences is that they comprehensively cover issues ranging from physics to chemistry to engineering applications of ER and MR materials held in a general session to enhance the interaction between the scientists and engineers. The sessions in ERMR 2006 were organized based into two Symposia: a) Materials and b) Applications. Topics covered in the Materials Symposium included: mechanisms, preparation, and characterization of ER and MR materials. Topics covered in the Applications Symposium included: ER and MR devices, control systems, system integration, and applications. This structure was implemented in order to enable interaction between attending scientists and engineers in both the Materials Symposium and the Applications Symposium, and to enhance the free flow of ideas, and the potential collaborative research opportunities. Sample Chapter(s). Chapter 1: Transient Behavior of Electrorheological Fluids in Shear Flow (471 KB). Contents: The Physical Mechanism to Reduce Viscosity of Liquid Suspensions (R Tao); Polar Molecular Type Electrorheological Fluids (K Lu et al.); Yield Stress in Ferrofluids? (H Shahnazian & S Odenbach); The Effect of Dwell Time on the Rheological Behavior of MR Fluids (M Ahmadian & F D Goncalves); The Methods of Measuring Shear Stress of Polar Molecule Dominated ER Fluids (R Shen et al.); Electrosensitive Lubricants (E V Korobko et al.); Study on Characteristics of an Electrorheological Fluid Coupling (Y Meng et al.); On the Control of a MR Torque Transfer Device (M H Elahinia et al.); Comparison of ERF Clutch Designs (D J Ellam et al.); Examination of Throughflow in a Radial ERF Clutch (S M Chen et al.); Two-Layered Magnetic Fluid Sloshing in a Rectangular Container (S Yoshida et al.); Design of the High-Performance MR Brake and Its Characteristics (T Kikuchi et al.); and other papers. Readership: Mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, physicists, chemists, chemical engineers and materials scientists.

Real-time model predictive controller (MPC) implementation in active vibration control (AVC) is often rendered difficult by fast sampling speeds and extensive actuator-deformation asymmetry. If the control of lightly damped mechanical structures is assumed, the region of attraction containing the set of allowable initial conditions requires a large prediction horizon, making the already computationally demanding on-line process even more complex. Model Predictive Vibration Control provides insight into the predictive control of lightly damped vibrating structures by exploring computationally efficient algorithms which are capable of low frequency vibration control with guaranteed stability and constraint feasibility. In addition to a theoretical primer on active vibration damping and model predictive control, Model Predictive Vibration Control provides a guide through the necessary steps in understanding the founding ideas of predictive control applied in AVC such as: · the implementation of computationally efficient algorithms · control strategies in simulation and experiment and · typical hardware requirements for piezoceramics actuated smart structures. The use of a simple laboratory model and inclusion of over 170 illustrations provides readers with clear and methodical explanations, making Model Predictive Vibration Control the ideal support material for graduates, researchers and industrial practitioners with an interest in efficient predictive control to be utilized in active vibration attenuation.

Soft and Stiffness-controllable Robotics Solutions for Minimally Invasive Surgery presents the results of a research project, funded by European Commission, STIFF-FLOP: STIFFness controllable Flexible and Learn-able manipulator for surgical Operations. In Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), tools go through narrow openings and manipulate soft organs that can move, deform, or change stiffness. There are limitations on modern laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgical systems due to restricted access through Trocar ports, lack of haptic feedback, and difficulties with rigid robot tools operating inside a confined space filled with organs. Also, many control algorithms suffer from stability problems in the presence of unexpected conditions. Yet biological "manipulators", like the octopus arm can manipulate objects while controlling the stiffness of selected body parts and being inherently compliant when interacting with objects. STIFF-FLOP robot is an innovative soft robotic arm that can squeeze through a standard MIS, reconfigure itself and stiffen by hydrostatic actuation to perform compliant force control tasks while facing unexpected situations. Technical topics discussed in the book include:Soft actuatorsContinuum soft manipulatorsControl, kinematics and navigation of continuum manipulatorsOptical sensors for force, torque, and curvatureHaptic feedback and human interface for surgical systemsValidation of soft stiffness controllable robots