Ferrofluid

[CyFi6]

Im sure some of you engineering or chemistry majors may have heard of this, but if you haven't its some pretty cool stuff. Its tiny magnetic particles suspended in a fluid, basically making a magnetic fluid in which you can electronically control its viscosity.

In automotive applications they are working on using it in shock absorbers so they can change the dampening of the shock on command. They are also using it for 4wd systems sort of like a viscous clutch, but they can actively electronically control when to lock and unlock the drive shaft. Pretty cool stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5Ti6PeGdNQ

"active suspension is one such system which permits the damping factor to be adjusted once every millisecond in response to conditions."

 

[gaboonviper85]

wicked!

 

[Dr Chill]

for real ^^^^

 

[MkIII_Jeff]

corvettes have been using this for a couple of years and it's in use in the new ZR1. It provides for a great suspension but costs an arm and a leg to replace atm.

 

[Keros]

I read an article about this a while ago.

Very cool technology. Right up there with amorphous metal.

 

[Doward]

Definitely cool!

I love the disclaimer: Warning: Contains Science

 

[Supracentral]

I was involved in the prototyping and testing a set of shocks using this technology a few years ago. We installed them on a (heavily modified) 1974 DeTomaso Pantera we had at the shop. A good friend of mine Dick Koch owns it (original owner btw) and we worked directly with Dick Anderson, the CEO and inventor.

http://www.inurface.com/magneshocks/aboutus.htm

Some pic's of the ride:

This is one amazing car.

By the way, this is a 34 year old car...

Now that is a motor. Yes, 351 cu in and twin turbos.

Dyno

We took the car out to Spring Mountain Motorsports in Pahrump, NV back in 2006 and did some testing. They were pretty amazing. The computer controlled shocks made the car stick to the track like you wouldn't believe.

Driving that car on that course was some of the most fun I've ever had with my clothes on.

 

[trucker]

havn't they been using this stuff to cool tweeters in audio systems for a few years now?

iirc, it's pretty expensive

 

[Solo1Supra]

Rod Millen is also using this stuff for suspension systems.

 

[IwantMKIII]

pretty neat. I like to watch those kinds of vids on youtube. I especially like the memory metal ones.