A magnetorheological fluid is provided having a reduced coefficient of friction and favorable settling characteristics. The fluid contains magnetically responsive particles, a carrier fluid, and an amine oleate salt.

In this disclosure, transition and rare earth metal-based magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) are successfully prepared in a two-step synthesis and used to extract viable bacteria from a liquid sample. The disclosed MILs are extremely hydrophobic MILs and were insoluble in aqueous solution at 0.01% (v/v). Furthermore, these MILs were miscible in a variety of polar and non-polar organic solvents. Moreover, these MILs possess low viscosity and increased magnetic susceptibility. These MILs possess unique characteristics that can have great potential uses in various chemical applications such as extraction solvents in LLE, liquid electrochromic materials (Co-based MILs), and novel reaction media for organic synthesis.

Aspects of the invention include a computer peripheral device comprising an input element that operates based on a performance characteristic, an electropermanent magnet (EPM) assembly including a permanent magnet configured to generate a magnetic field and a magnetizing assembly configured to set an intensity of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, and a magnetorheological (MR) material coupled to the input element. The MR material has a viscosity that changes based on the magnetic field and affects the performance characteristic of the input element.

Method for controlling heat transfer between two objects. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a first current through a first electromagnet disposed about a container holding magnetorheological fluid to generate a first magnetic field such that particles in the magnetorheological fluid align with the first magnetic field to conductively couple a first conductive element to a second conductive element; and providing a second current through a second electromagnet disposed perpendicular to the first electromagnet to generate a second magnetic field perpendicular to the first magnetic field such that the particles in the magnetorheological fluid align with the second magnetic field to conductively uncouple the first conductive member from the second conductive member.

This vibration damping device (10) includes a magnetorheological fluid composition in a cylinder (12). The magnetorheological fluid composition includes magnetic particles; a dispersant having the magnetic particles dispersed therein; and a friction modifier. The friction modifier is an ester-based additive having a hydrocarbon chain having 14 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl chain or an alkenyl chain. The content of the friction modifier is 0.1 to 5 mass %.

A haptic operating device has a base, a stationary central part connected thereto, a rotary knob which can be rotated about the stationary central part and which has a hollow design, and a magnetorheological transmission device for influencing the rotational movement of the rotary knob in a controlled manner. The transmission device has two components which can be rotated relative to each other and one component of which is designed as a brake component that can be rotated relative to the base. The stationary central part is secured to the base by way of a support arm. The transmission device and the support arm are adjacent one another and both are received radially within the rotary knob. The rotary knob is rotationally fixed to the rotatable brake component via a coupling device.

A loudspeaker is provided with a motor assembly having at least one planar coil and first and second magnets magnetized in a magnetized direction perpendicular to direction of coil movement and perpendicular to a central axis of radiation of the loudspeaker. Ferrofluid is disposed between a diaphragm and the first and second magnets. Third and fourth magnets are disposed outside the first and second magnets and are magnetized in a direction parallel to the direction of coil movement and perpendicular to the magnetized direction of the first and second speakers.

A semiconductor package includes a VLSI semiconductor die and one or more output circuits connected to supply power to the die mounted to a package substrate. The output circuit(s), which include a transformer and rectification circuitry, provide current multiplication at an essentially fixed conversion ratio, K, in the semiconductor package, receiving AC power at a relatively high voltage and delivering DC power at a relatively low voltage to the die. The output circuits may be connected in series or parallel as needed. A driver circuit may be provided outside the semiconductor package for receiving power from a source and driving the transformer in the output circuit(s), preferably with sinusoidal currents. The driver circuit may drive a plurality of output circuits. The semiconductor package may require far fewer interface connections for supplying power to the die.

A soft robotic tool may include a plurality of rigid links, a plurality of magnetorheological fluid soft joints, and a plurality of tendons. The rigid links may be disposed in series. Each magnetorheological fluid soft joint may be disposed between a pair of the rigid links. Each magnetorheological fluid soft joint may include a capsule containing a magnetorheological fluid, and an inductive coil disposed around the capsule. The tendons may extend along a length of the soft robotic tool. Each tendon may be attached to each of the rigid links.

A power system has a power-electronic module that includes a housing defining a looped reservoir, a ferro-magnetic medium sealed within and filling the looped reservoir, and a conductor surrounded by the ferro-magnetic medium. The conductor is coiled within and along the looped reservoir, and has terminals extending out of the reservoir such that the ferro-magnetic medium and conductor form an inductor that opposes changes in magnitude of current flowing through the conductor.