Electro and magnetorheological (ER and MR) fluids
share many characteristics and potential applications in
stress transfer and damping devices. Recent advances
include improved understanding of the underlying physical
mechanisms, particularly with regard to nonlinear conduction
in ER fluids and magnetic saturation in MR fluids, and
the development of more effective fluids. Although both
technologies have advanced in recent years, commercial
applications have been realized only for MR fluids.