Why in News?
Scientists at IIT Patna have developed an innovative hybrid magneto-rheometer to advance the testing and application of Magnetorheological (MR) fluids, a type of smart fluid.
What is the hybrid magneto-rheometer and why does it matter?
- The custom-built instrument, developed under Prof. Chiranjit Sarkar, measures both rheological (flow and deformation) and tribological (friction and wear) properties of MR fluids in a single setup.
- It evaluates fluid performance under simultaneous compression and shear forces, which mimics real-world conditions better than conventional testers.
- The device operates with low electrical current while generating a constant, high-strength magnetic field, making it energy-efficient and reliable.
- MR fluids are smart fluids that rapidly increase in viscosity when exposed to a magnetic field, turning from liquid to a near-solid state. This property is harnessed in shock absorbers, vibration control systems, dampers, actuators, and medical devices.
- The research, funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), also involved developing nano iron powder-based MR fluids, enhancing their performance for applications in aerospace, defense, healthcare, and industrial automation.
Exam Connect
Magnetorheological (MR) fluids → Smart fluids that change viscosity in response to a magnetic field
IIT Patna → Established in 2008, located in Bihta, Bihar, an Institute of National Importance
Department of Science and Technology (DST) → Established in May 1971, under the Ministry of Science and Technology