>I saw this show on the Canadian Discover Channel that was demonstrating
>Ford's new Silicone gel.  First I thought they were going to say that they
>'invented' the VC but no, this was indeed something new or at least
>something that I have never seen before.

I have trouble believing that it could be a Ford invention. I've
heard of it before, including the inventor, but don't want to dig
through my copies of "Wheels" to find it.

>It was a black silicone based pourable 'liquid' with the viscosity of motor
>oil.  When a magnetic field was applied to it, it instantly turned into a
>solid do to that fact there was a special sort of iron filings in it.  Their
>design idea for it was an electronic clutch.

It contains magnetite particles; magnetite is an iron-based
naturally-occuring (and synthesizable) mineral, very hard and also
magnetic. In effect running a magnetic field through it will align
the particles ("polarizing" them, if you like) and hold them in
place, creating drag in the fluid. But they will be extremaly
abrasive!
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin, New Zealand
64 (3) 473-8863
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Fossil preparator
Seashell, Macintosh & VW/Toyota van nut