Research on Smart Materials for Automotive Applications

Abstract

Smart materials are nowadays being used in all spheres of human life and technology. A lot of research is going on to utilize their potential in various engineering applications which may prove useful for common people. A wide variety of smart materials exist, which includes piezoelectric materials, magneto rheological materials (MR), electro rheological materials (ER), shape memory alloys, etc. In both ER and MR fluids, the change in fluid properties like viscosity can be manipulated by varying an electrical supply. By varying the strength of the electric field, the particle chains can be aligned in between the electrodes. The automotive and aerospace industries have for the first time used these smart materials for various applications. This paper highlights automobile engineering applications of the various smart materials - notably for vibration control and variable torque transmission. Nowadays, MR fluids are being developed for use in car shocks. Presently the researchers are working on use of ER fluids in automotive clutches, valves, engine mounts etc. Magneto rheological elastomers (MRE) are also being researched for various automotive applications.