Industry/University Cooperative Research Activity: A Study of the Electrorheological Effect and Its Application to Devices

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Dielectric fluids containing fine hydrophillic particles can rapidly undergo large reversible changes in their rheological properties upon application of an electric field. To better understand the electrorheological (ER) effect, it is proposed to carry out the following research activities: (a) detailed optical microscopy observations on the nature of the fibrated structure which develops upon application of an electric field and its rupture and reformation during shear, (b) concurrent measurements of the rheological and electrical properties of the ER fluid, (c) selected measurements of he physical, chemical, and geometric nature of the surface of the suspended particles employing advanced analytical instruments, and (d) an analysis of the results to identify the operative mechanisms.