Jet Vapor Injection of Magneto-Rheological Fluids

Magneto-rheological (MR) fluids contain ultrafine magnetic particles, and their viscosity increases sharply in an applied magnetic field. The response is one hundred times as large as seen in electro-rheological fluids, suggesting a number of "smart fluid" hydraulic applications such as clutches, brakes and dampers. There is a need for both improved MR fluid properties, and more efficient, low cost methods for producing them. A severe limit on MR fluid performance is sedimentation due to gravity or centrifugation, an effect which can be mitigated by reducing particle sizes to the submicron range. In Phase I we propose to use our Jet Vapor Injection (JVI) technique to make MR fluids. JVI is based on use of supersonic gas jets in "low vacuum" to convect metal atoms, clusters and submicron particles to a liquid reservoir in which they are implanted. Advantages of JVI include high particle generation and implantation rates, control of particle size, and low cost, reliable, high throughput manufacturing. MRfluids synthesized at Jet Process Corporation will be characterized for magnetic response by Dr. John Ginder of Ford Motor company, a recognized authority on MR fluid behavior. Success in Phase I will lead to Phase II optimization of MR fluid composition and scaleup of JVI equipment for higher throughput production.