Magnetorheological Research Articles

Micromechanism of interparticle normal magnetic attraction effect in magnetorheological suspensions based on magnetic-dipole theory

In order to reveal adsorption-regulation micromechanism and debonding micromechanism between wall surface and magnetorheological (MR) wall-climbing robot legs, an interparticle normal magnetic attraction (NMA) mechanics model was constructed based upon the magnetic-dipole theory. According to analysis of NMA mechanics, it was confirmed that the interparticle NMA could be intensified with enhancing magnetic-particle diameter but was weakened with ratio of adjacent magnetic-particles distance to magnetic-particle radius. It means that the adhesive capacity between MR wall-climbing robot legs and wall surface could be strengthened by increasing magnetic-particle size and decreasing interparticle distance. Furthermore, it was found that the NMA of the first particle in the magnetic chain was positively related to magnetic-particles number until the magnetic-particles number reached a critical value. Consequently, the adsorption ability between MR wall-climbing robot legs and wall surface could be effectively controlled by changing magnetic-particles number. Besides, the strongest NMA appeared at the middle of the magnetic chain. However, the weakest NMA locates at both ends of the magnetic chain. Thus, it could be concluded that the end of the magnetic chain would be separated from wall surface rather than fracture occurred in the middle of the magnetic chain when the MR wall-climbing robot legs divorced from wall surface.

Macroscopic Room-Temperature Magnetoelectricity in Piezoelectric (Core)-Ferrimagnetic (Shell) Nanocomposites.

The magnetoelectric (ME) effect, which involves the interaction of magnetic and electric fields within a material, has a significant potential for various applications. Our study addresses the limitations of conventional magnetostriction-based ME materials by demonstrating an alternative approach that achieves substantial ME effects in core-shell-type nanocomposites at room temperature. By synthesizing ferrimagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles onto piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) particles, we identified a distinct ME mechanism. In magnetorheological (MR) fluids, the magnetic-field-induced aggregation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, combined with the piezoelectricity of PVDF, leads to a pronounced ME effect, significantly enhancing the performance and stability of MR fluids. This research highlights a crucial observation of distinct ME effects, which could suggest potential pathways for advancements in practical applications including microfluidics, vibration dampers, tactile technologies, and biomedical and bioengineering fields.

Design of a tooth-shaped magnetorheological brake with multiple coils

This research presents an optimized design for a tooth-shaped magnetorheological brake (MRB) with multiple coils. The MRB configuration consists of a disk immersed in magnetorheological fluid (MRF), where four coils act as electromagnets when an electric current is applied. The energized coils induce the alignment of suspended particles in the MRF, forming a chain-like structure that increases the fluid's viscosity. This rapid, strong, and controllable phenomenon enables the MRB to find applications in haptic systems, tension control, and industrial braking systems. To analyze the electromagnetic behavior of the brake, Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations are conducted using ANSYS APDL, and the optimization process is performed utilizing ANSYS Workbench software. The software provides optimized geometries for the brake, resulting in significant improvements in desired performance aspects compared to prior designs, etc.

Influence of mixed particle sizes on shear yield stress of magnetorheological fluid

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of magnetic particle size and volume fraction on the shear yield stress and dynamic viscosity of magnetorheological fluids. Magnetorheological fluids with varying volume fractions of micro‐ and nanoscale magnetic particles were prepared. A plate‐on‐plate shear test bench was constructed to evaluate the fluids under a constant shear rate, with the applied current ranging from 0 A to 1.2 A. Results indicated that the shear yield stress initially increased and then decreased as the volume fraction of magnetic nanoparticles increased, reaching a maximum of 47 kPa at a volume fraction of 7 %. However, the excessive addition of magnetic particles or large‐diameter particles led to settling and reduced stability of the fluids. The findings suggest that optimizing the size and volume fraction of magnetic particles is crucial for maximizing the shear yield stress of magnetorheological fluids.

Semi-Active Suspension Design for Truck Using Pneumatic Spring Joining MR Fluid Damper Based on Neural Networks Controller

<div>In order to modify both stiffness and damping rates according to various road conditions, this research introduces a pneumatic spring in conjunction with a magnetorheological (MR) fluid damper as a single suspension unit for each wheel in the truck. Preventing weight transfer and improving riding comfort during braking, acceleration, and trajectory prediction are the main objectives. A two-axle truck has been used, consisting of three degrees of freedom for the sprung mass, including vertical, pitch, and roll motions, and four degrees of freedom for the unsprung masses, which have been redesigned according to the different types of springs and dampers. Pneumatic-controlled springs, often referred to as dynamic or classic models, replace laminated leaf springs commonly found in vehicles. Additionally, an MR damper replaces a hydraulic double-acting telescopic shock absorber. These models are studied to evaluate the effect of pneumatic spring parameters on truck dynamics. Pneumatic stiffness and the intended damping force are monitored by a recurrent neural network in conjunction with leveling control. This process provides the recommended voltage for the MR damper based on the Signum function damper controller. The performance of the suspension is assessed in the time and frequency domains for both step and random road excitations using vehicle dynamic parameters. Six suspension system configurations are compared with the air spring dynamic model integrated with the MR damper (Model 6), which is recommended as a suspension system for trucks. According to simulation data, when compared to alternative suspension systems, Model 6 significantly enhances both ride comfort and vehicle stability. Model 6 offers improvements in tire workload, truck path, tire–ground contact point during acceleration, braking efficiency, and stopping distance. Compared to previous controlled models, Model 6 also demonstrates zero steady-state offset and zero steady-state error.</div>

True pinch mode of magnetorheological fluids

Abstract Magnetorheological (MR) fluids are representatives of smart materials. They react to magnetic fields by developing a yield stress. The effect has been employed in real-world applications such as automotive chassis systems or optical finishing. By convention, MR devices can be operated in at least one of the fundamental modes: flow, shear, squeeze, gradient pinch of which the former has been the least studied and understood. In pinch mode, the material in the flow channel is exposed to non-uniform magnetic fields in the direction parallel to fluid flow. As a result, only the volume of MR fluid near the channel walls are energized to modify the particular material property (yield stress). The result is the channel’s effective diameter change. The behavior of the material in pinch mode is unique and unseen in the other controllable fluids. To study the material’s characteristics in the specific mode, the authors developed a novel circuit concept for energizing the material in an effort to achieve the ’true-zero’ pinch mode magnetic behavior. Contrary to the existing pinch mode valve concepts, the concept valve allows to achieve zero magnetic flux density in the center of the flow channel regardless of the current level. To test the hypothesis a prototype valve was modeled, manufactured and tested across a range of external (flow rate, current/magnetic flux) stimuli. The obtained results yield sufficient evidence proven by results of magnetic simulations to support the underlying hypothesis. The experimental results illustrate the pinch mode type behaviour, i.e. the slope change in the pressure vs flow rate characteristics.

A fuzzy skyhook control strategy optimized by particle swarm strategy for magnetorheological semi-active suspension

In order to solve the problem of unsatisfactory control effect caused by uncertain parameters in the fuzzy skyhook control method, a fuzzy skyhook control strategy optimized by particle swarm strategy is proposed. The magnetorheological (MR) damper is put on the bench for mechanical characteristics experiment, and the forward model of MR damper is established. The adaptive network fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) system in simulation software is used to build its inverse model to verify the accuracy of the forward model of MR damper. A quarter vehicle suspension model is established, and a fuzzy skyhook control strategy based on particle swarm optimization is designed. Numerical simulations are carried out under the excitation of random road. The acceleration, suspension dynamic deflection and tire dynamic load are used to evaluate its performance. Compared with the passive control, the root mean square (RMS) values of the acceleration for the fuzzy skyhook control strategy are improved by 41.9% and 37.6%, the RMS values of the suspension dynamic deflection for the fuzzy skyhook control strategy are improved by 53.3% and 48.0%, and the RMS values of the tire dynamic load for the fuzzy skyhook control strategy are improved by 17.6% and 14.5% under the B-Class and C-Class road excitations. The simulations and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the controller.

Design and optimization of squeeze-shear mode MR brake with multi-fluid flow channels based on multi-objective sooty tern optimization algorithm

Abstract Aiming at the deficiency of magnetic field utilization rate and the mass–torque ratio of magnetorheological fluid brake (MRB), a novel MRB is proposed in this paper. Initially, a squeeze-shear mode MRB with multi-fluid flow channels (S-MRB) is designed and its structure and working principle are described. Based on the analysis of the magnetic circuit, mathematical models are established to describe the rotary torque of the S-MRB. Furthermore, COMSOL software is carried out to model and simulate the electromagnetic field of the S-MRB, which verified the rationality of structure design. Then, with the braking torque and mass of the S-MRB as objective function, multi-objective optimization algorithm is adopted to optimize the structural parameters of the S-MRB. The optimization results show that the braking torque is increased by 25.34% and the mass of the MRB is decreased by 2.7%. Finally, a MRB braking performance test platform is established, and the effectiveness and superiority of the S-MRB are verified by braking torque dynamic response characteristic experiments.

Magnetorheological fluids: a comprehensive review of operational modes and performance under varied circumstances

Magnetorheological fluids: a comprehensive review of operational modes and performance under varied circumstances

A passive-tuned damper based on magnetorheological porous fabric composite

Abstract This paper proposes a novel passive-tuned magnetorheological (PTMR) damper based on developed magnetorheological (MR) porous fabric composite, in which the damping force is tuned by a permanent magnet (PM). Firstly, the influences of the porous fiber structure of composite on the suspended phase are considered, and a continuous constitutive model based on the dipole model is proposed for the first time, which can accurately predict its rheological properties. Subsequently, a stable passive damper for special conditions is designed, and the unique design concept is to achieve completely different damping characteristics for different application scenarios by adjusting the position of the PM relative to the magnetic circuit. The experimental results show that the damping force is relatively stable under specific condition, and can be adjusted within the range of 16.8–77.4 N, with a dynamic range of about 4.6. Moreover, the PTMR damper can exhibit unidirectional negative stiffness characteristic by adjusting the PM to a specific position. The PTMR damper has stable vibration reduction performance, wide dynamic range, and compact structure, which can be comparable to some conventional MR dampers.

Optimisation of Active Magnetic Elements in Beam-like Structures—Numerical Modelling Studies

This paper explores integrating advanced materials, including magnetic shape memory alloys, magnetorheological fluids, and classical shape memory alloys, within structural elements to achieve exceptional physical properties. When these materials are integrated within structures—whether as wires, actuators, or dampers—they provide the structures with unique static, dynamic, and damping characteristics not commonly found in nature. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of these active materials in enhancing the performance of beam-like structures. This investigation was conducted through a comprehensive numerical analysis, focusing on a composite beam. The study examined the impact of different active elements, their position within the structure, and their influence on key dynamic properties. Additionally, a simplified damage scenario was considered, wherein the adverse effects of structural damage were mitigated through the strategic application of these materials. Numerical simulations were carried out using the finite element method, with custom computational codes developed in MATLAB. The findings of these simulations are presented and discussed in this paper.

Uplift derailment for near-fault high speed train-track-hybrid control cable-stayed bridge system

Seismic uplift of a high-speed rail (HSR) cable-stayed bridge’s bearing affects train safety. Existing technique lacks improved seismic isolation in the vertical direction due to the bearing’s vertical stiffness. Based on the on-site dynamic test and train derailment table experiments and different software, the train running safety of the semi-floating system of the cable-stayed bridge-rail-train system was analyzed using different damping and isolation control strategies. The larger vertical seismic component increases the danger of flange climb derailment when subjected to near-fault earthquakes. After installing lateral/or viscous fluid dampers (VFDs) and magnetorheological (MR) bearing (A = 3.0), the bridge has an obvious bearing uplift response. Still, it is not enough to threaten the structure, and the seismic damping capacity of the bridge structure is improved, making the train ride safe. This research presents discoveries on the impact of bearing uplift on train operational safety. Specifically, it reveals that the lifting of the end bearings on both sides of the main girder is not synchronized. This investigation presents a technical reference for comparable initiatives.

Intelligent vibration control of tensile cable based on deep reinforcement learning

Vibration of tensile cables commonly occurs in the engineering structures such as cable-stayed bridges, which may have negative effect on the driving comfort and safety, and further lead to the fatigue problems of the structure. This paper proposes a semi-active control strategy based on deep reinforcement learning and magneto-rheological (MR) damper, for the vibration control of tensile cables, and the corresponding algorithm have been developed. Through the interaction with the cable-damper system, the intelligent agent can evaluate every possible control parameter and achieve an effective control policy. Then, according to the real-time vibration state, the agent would determine an action current for the MR damper and thus change the damping coefficient of the damper, further make influences on the vibrating cable. Basically, the proposed strategy realizes the model-free semi-active control of cable vibrations. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed semi-active control strategy, a scale model test has been conducted, where the test cases of passive and semi-active control strategies are carried out and compared. Results show that, the semi-active control shows a prior performance in vibration reduction compared to the passive control strategy, with regard to the vibration profile, the vibration energy, as well as the energy dissipation of MR damper.

Significant Improvement in Magnetorheological Performance by Controlling Micron Interspaces with High Permeability Submicron Particles.

The shear yield strength, sedimentation stability and zero-field viscosity of magnetorheological fluids (MRFs) are crucial for practical vibration damping applications, yet achieving a balanced combination of these performances remains challenging. Developing MRFs with excellent comprehensive performance is key to advancing smart vibration damping technologies further. Theoretically, incorporating a multiscale particle system and leveraging synergistic effects between their can somewhat enhance MRFs' performance. However, this approach often faces issues such as insignificant increases in shear yield strength and excessive rise in zero-field viscosity. In response, this study employs a DC arc plasma method to synthesize a high magnetic permeability, low coercivity submicron FeNi particles, and further develops a novel CIPs-FeNi bidisperse MRFs. The introduction of submicron FeNi particles not only significantly enhances the shear2019 yield strength of MRFs under low magnetic fields but also promotes improvements in sedimentation stability and redispersibility without excessively increasing viscosity. Comprehensive performance analysis is conducted to explore the optimal content ratio, and detailed mechanisms for the enhancement of performance are elucidated through analysis of parameters such as chain-like structure, magnetic flux density and friction coefficient. Most importantly, the superior comprehensive performance combined with straightforward fabrication methods significantly enhances the engineering applicability of the CIPs-FeNi bidisperse MRFs.

Control Voltage Effect on Operational Characteristics of Vehicle Magnetorheological Damper

Considering the increasingly large-scale application of magnetic fluids in various industries, we can confidently state that in the near future magnetorheological dampers will be widely used in adaptive automotive suspensions due to their operational flexibility and simplicity of controlling damping forces by changing the magnetic fluid properties according to parameters of surrounding electromagnetic field. The antivibration efficiency during operation is achieved by regulating the hydraulic resistance of the “magnetic” shock absorber by applying voltage to the windings of its coil. In addition to the physical properties of the oil used in the “magnetic” shock absorber, the viscosity of the working magnetorheological fluid is greatly influenced by the shape of the control signal. The paper focuses on the theoretical aspects of constructing a mathematical model of ac magnetorheological damper and presents the results of a computer experiment to assess effectiveness of its use as part of the adaptive suspension a passenger vehicle. In this case, the actual parameters of the “magnetic” shock absorber, used in modeling the dynamic process, were determined experimentally on a test bench, and the adequacy of the developed mathematical model was confirmed by the results of a semi-natural experiment. Using a verified model, the magnetorheological damper characteristics were obtained and compared for various forms of control signal, including rectangular voltage pulses of various frequencies and duty cycles, sinusoidal pulses and constant voltage signals. The analysis of the antivibration efficiency was carried out on the basis of the developed “quarter” model of a semi-active car suspension with a verified submodel of a magnetorheological damper integrated into its structure. Moreover, the simulation scenarios were based on the selected strategy for controlling the voltage supplied to the windings of the “magnetic” shock absorber. As the results of theoretical and experimental studies have shown in terms of energy consumption, expansion of the working area of the damping characteristic and achieving smooth control of the damping force, the most effective is the use of a sinusoidal pulse voltage signal in the control circuit, which ensures a reduction in both the amplitude and damping time of oscillations. However, when de-signing and manufacturing a controller, creating a pulse modulator for generating sinusoidal pulses coinciding in phase and frequency with the vibrations of the car body is very difficult due to the random nature of external disturbances from the road surface. When a constant voltage is applied to the magnetorheological damper winding, the damping properties of the suspension are also improved compared to the basic design based on a traditional hydraulic shock absorber. Moreover, there is a proportional relationship between the voltage supplying the damper, the amplitude and damping time of the vibrations of the car body is observed. An increase in the control signal voltage from 1 to 2 V leads, in comparison with passive control of a magnetic shock absorber, to a decrease in the maximum amplitude of vibrations of the car body by 6.25 and 11.25 %, respectively, and a decrease in the vibration damping time by 0.72 and 1.41 s.

Computational Procedure for Determining the Shear Yield Stress-Shear Deformation Relationship in Magnetorheological Fluids from Anton-Paar Measurement Data

Abstract In the past decade, magnetorheological fluids have been applied in various devices. This article focuses on developing a new computational procedure to determine the shear strength-shear strain relationship of magnetorheological fluids from the measurement data obtained by using an Anton-Paar rotational viscometer.

Simulation and characterization of an integrated MR damper with energy harvesting and embedded channels

Combined with two objectives of vibration reduction and energy harvesting, an integrated magnetorheological (MR) damper with energy harvesting and embedded channels is presented in this research. The effects of different structural parameters on the magnetic flux density and damping performance of the damping module are investigated using the finite element method. In addition, the effects of different frequencies, amplitudes, currents, and external resistances on the damping and energy harvesting characteristics of the proposed damper are experimentally studied. Simulation results demonstrate that the damping force first increases and then decreases with the increase of inner cylinder thickness and magnetic isolation height, increases with the increase of coil turns and current size, and decreases with the increase of outer cylinder thickness and magnetic isolation width. Simulation values of the damping force of the damping module are in good agreement with experimental data. Experimental results indicate that the damping force of the energy harvesting module drops as the external resistance rises. The output voltage of the energy harvesting module increases with the raise of external resistance. The average output power and the energy harvesting efficiency of the new damper reach 7.3 W and 53.5 % when A = 10 mm, f = 2 Hz, and R = 5 Ω.

Review of Flexible Robotic Grippers, with a Focus on Grippers Based on Magnetorheological Materials

Flexible grippers are a promising and pivotal technology for robotic grasping and manipulation tasks. Remarkably, magnetorheological (MR) materials, recognized as intelligent materials with exceptional performance, are extensively employed in flexible grippers. This review aims to provide an overview of flexible robotic grippers and highlight the application of MR materials within them, thereby fostering research and development in this field. This work begins by introducing various common types of flexible grippers, including shape memory alloys (SMAs), pneumatic flexible grippers, and dielectric elastomers, illustrating their distinctive characteristics and application domains. Additionally, it explores the development and prospects of magnetorheological materials, recognizing their significant contributions to the field. Subsequently, MR flexible grippers are categorized into three types: those with viscosity/stiffness variation capabilities, magnetic actuation systems, and adhesion mechanisms. Each category is comprehensively analyzed, specifying its unique features, advantages, and current cutting-edge applications. By undertaking an in-depth examination of diverse flexible robotic gripper types and the characteristics and application scenarios of MR materials, this paper offers a valuable reference for fellow researchers. As a result, it facilitates further advancements in this field and contributes to the provision of efficient gripping solutions for industrial automation.

Study of self-assembly between two magnetic particle chains in magnetorheological fluids

The self-assembly behavior of individual magnetic particles in magnetorheological liquids has been extensively analyzed in previous studies, but the self-assembly behavior between chains of magnetic particles has rarely been investigated. In this paper, the self-assembly mechanism between chains of magnetic particles is investigated using simulation and experimental methods. Firstly, a two-dimensional coupling simulation numerical model of particle-magnetic field-flow field is constructed by analyzing the magnetic force, fluid force and contact interaction force between magnetic particles. The accuracy of the simulation model was verified through experiments. Then the attraction and repulsion dividing line of two magnetic particle chains are analytically calculated by simulation combined with parametric scanning. And analyze the law of the influence of the number of magnetic particles between magnetic particle chains on the attraction and repulsion dividing line. Finally, the different self-assembly behaviors that occur when magnetic particle chains are in different regions of attraction and repulsion between them are experimentally verified. Thus, this study provides new insights into the self-assembly mechanism between chains of magnetic particles in magnetorheological fluids in terms of the effect of the number of magnetic particles on the attraction–repulsion dividing line.

Environmentally Friendly Chemical–Magnetorheological Finishing Method for Ti–6Al–4V Biological Material Based on Fe3O4@SiO2, Oxaloacetate Acid and H2O2

Titanium alloy is extensively utilised in various advanced equipment across multiple industries, especially in biological implantable devices. The surface machining of such devices is required to provide a finished surface with high precision and gloss. This study presents an established ecofriendly slurry for a hybrid polishing process utilising a highly efficient chemical and magnetorheological fluid (C-MRF) to obtain ultraprecise surface quality. This slurry incorporated Fe3O4@SiO2 abrasive particles, oxaloacetate acid (C4H6O5), deionised water and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an oxidiser. Ti–6Al–4V workpieces polished with C-MRF based on Fe3O4@SiO2 abrasives and polishing performance were used to investigate the influence of the oxidising agent H2O2 and oxaloacetate acid (monitored with a pH indicator) on the surface finish of Ti–6Al–4V biomaterial. In contrast to the traditional mechanical and chemical polishing methods for titanium alloys that often include strong bases and acids along with chemicals that endanger the environment and humans, the proposed polishing process based on the newly developed ecofriendly magnetic composite leveraged the advantages of magnetorheological fluid with chemical reactions to create an ultra smooth surface. Experiments were performed to investigate the influence of different polishing durations and factors on the quality of polished surfaces, thereby optimising technological parameters, reducing time and improving surface quality. Various technological parameters were evaluated through single-factor and orthogonal experiments to assess their distinct effects on surface quality and material removal capability. This work proposed an environmentally friendly C-MRF method for finishing Ti–6Al–4V biomaterial with high efficiency and industrial applicability.