ER fluid devices range from high-power actuators generating kilo-Newton forces, to small-scale applications, such as a tactile graphics tablet. Each application presents different performance requirements for an ER fluid with respect to yield stress, current consumption, zero-field viscosity, and temperature response. This paper discusses the technological advantages that these devices can offer, together with their limitations. The focus will be on how the
properties of the ER fluid can be tailored for suitability to a particular application. A case study of a large array of mini-actuators, for use as a graphics tablet for the visually impaired, is presented to illustrate design principles for ER valves.
In the food industry there is an ever increasing need to control and monitor food quality. In recent years fully automated x-ray inspection systems have been used to detect food on-line for foreign body contamination. These systems involve a complex integration of x- ray imaging components with state of the art high speed image processing. The quality of the x-ray image obtained by such systems is very poor compared with images obtained from other inspection processes, this makes reliable detection of very small, low contrast defects extremely difficult. It is therefore extremely important to optimize the x-ray imaging components to give the very best image possible. In this paper we present a method of analyzing the x-ray imaging system in order to consider the contrast obtained when viewing small defects.
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