👉 Electrofluids, also known as electrorheological (ER) fluids or magnetorheological (MR) fluids, are smart materials that exhibit a dramatic change in viscosity when subjected to an external electric or magnetic field. In the absence of these fields, the particles suspended in the fluid are typically randomly distributed and do not interact significantly. However, when an electric field is applied, the particles align along the field lines, forming chain-like structures or clusters that dramatically increase the fluid's resistance to flow, effectively turning it from a liquid into a semi-solid or even a gel-like state. This reversible and rapid change in viscosity allows electrofluids to be used in various applications, such as adaptive clutches, dampers, and actuators, where precise control over fluid behavior is essential.
