Mechatronics

[Sirius]

Bye Mechatronics, Hello Mechmatronics?

Automotive Materials: Technology Trends and Challenges in the 21st Century

Mechatronics, the joining of mechanical and electrical components is welcoming a new member to the partnership — materials — to create mechmatronics. Mechmatronics is the integration of smart materials with mechanical systems and electronics. Adding smart materials — different material systems that can not only affect a motor or gears, but alter shape through heat or a magnetic field, can improve overall efficiency. General Motors is currently exploring this field with a magnetorheological fluid in shock absorbers and clutches. Alan I. Taub, the executive director of the company's Research and Development offers a vision into new automotive trends in the 21st century in this article from the Materials Research Society.

http://www.physics.pdx.edu/~pmoeck/p...%20article.pdf