RUI: Equilibrium Structure and Structure Formation in Magnetorheological Fluids

9803618 Gross该奖项支持在以本科生为主的机构中研究磁流变流体的平衡结构和结构动力学。在磁场中，微米大小的粒子链形成。在更长的时间尺度上，这些链条可能会结合成厚厚的“柱子”。特别感兴趣的是：(1)在低体积分数区域，链之间的相互作用似乎是排斥性的，柱是如何形成的；(2)什么是柱的内部和外部平衡结构。PI将在一所以本科生为主的院校对一类“复杂流体”进行研究，这些流体由微米大小的颗粒组成，并对磁场有反应，例如，在小磁场的作用下，从机油的稠度到花生的稠度，流体的粘度会急剧增加。在外加磁场中，流体的小颗粒会形成结构。更好地理解这些结构是如何形成的是拟议研究的目标。这些“磁活性”流体用于许多应用，如减振器，制动器和可控离合器。＊＊＊

9803618 Gross This award supports research at a predominantly undergraduate institution to study equilibrium structures and structural dynamics in magnetorheological fluids. In a magnetic field, chains of micron-sized particles form. On longer time scales, the chains may bind into thick `columns.' Of particular interest are: (1) how do columns form in the low volume fraction region where the interactions between chains appears to be repulsive, and (2) what is the internal and external equilibrium structure of columns. %%% The PI will carry out research at a predominantly undergraduate institution into a class of `complex fluids' that consist of micron-sized particles and respond to magnetic fields, for example, the viscosity of the fluid can dramatically increase with the application of a small magnetic field from the consistency of motor oil to that of peanut. In an applied magnetic field, the small particles of the fluid will form structures. A better understanding of how these structures form is an objective of the proposed research. These `magnetically active' fluids are used in numerous applications such as vibration dampers, brakes, and controllable clutches. ***