A New Generation of Innovative Ultra-Advanced Intelligent Composite Materials Featuring Electro-Rheological Fluids: An Experimental Investigation

Abstract

A new generation of revolutionary, intelligent, ultra-advanced composite materials featuring electro-rheological fluids is proposed herein for the active continuum vibrational control of structural and mechanical systems. This paper reports on a pioneer ing proof-of-concept experimental investigation focussed on evaluating the static and elastodynamic transient response characteristics of cantilevered beams fabricated in this new class of materials. The results of this investigation clearly demonstrate for the first time the ability to dramatically change the vibrational characteristics of beam-like speci mens fabricated in ultra-advanced composite materials by changing the electrical field im posed on the fluid. The capability of these materials to interface with modem solid-state electronics can be exploited by extending the fundamental phenomenological work pre sented herein by the successful incorporation of intelligent sensor technologies and modern control strategies in order to significantly accelerate the evolution of this in novative class of multi-functional, dynamically-tunable, ultra-advanced, intelligent com posite materials for military, aerospace, advanced manufacturing applications.