Ford
Motor Company scientists claim to be experimenting with a black gooey substance
that, they say, has the unique ability to change viscosity on command.
Magnetorhelogical material (MR material), the ‘official’ lab name
can behave as a free-flowing liquid, a paste-like solid, or anything in between,
switching properties instantly when a magnetic field is applied.
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Ford is said to be experimenting with the use of MR material in air-conditioning
compressors as a way to subdue the audible clicking that occurs when the clutch
engages and disengages. The MR material allows the clutch to gradually engage,
providing a smoother, less noisy contact or "soft start."
When the clutch disengages, the material reverts from the solid "locked-up"
state to a fluid to let the clutch slip out of contact. This soft engaging and
disengaging of the clutch also makes power surges from the engine less noticeable,
a condition typically felt in vehicles equipped with small displacement engines
and air conditioning.
To view related research reports, please follow the links Global Car Forecasts to 2005 |
