A new kind of material (of which currently no actual picture exists anywhere) with the consistency of pudding that hardens instantly when exposed to magnetism has been developed by a team of researchers at Japan’s Yamagata University. And once the substance, a mix between high polymer and iron oxide granules, hardens, it can become up to 500 times stiffer than plastic.
The researchers say when the magnetic field is 300 milli-tesla strong, for example, the material hardens 300-fold in under one second. The iron oxide granules are spread randomly throughout the gel-like material, but when magnetized, they align in rows and stiffen the gel, which is made of more than 50% water.
The gel could be used in card and trains one day to dampen vibrations. Furniture makers could adjust the softness of chairs and other furniture.
Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]
I’m not really seeing how this is any different than what Cadillac introduced in their vehicles around 2000-2001.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/1266651.html
They’re called magnetic-rheological shocks and when magnetism is applied, the liquid stiffens up providing an extra bit of dampening for the shocks.
does it stay hard after you remove the magnet or does it go limp once the magnet is removed?
this reminds me of you, serkan.
Yeah, all those memories.
all jokes aside, the ramifications in the manufacturing process could be significant.