Electrorheological fluids: from historical retrospective to recent trends

The presented review is an attempt to systematize the enormous scientific knowledge accumulated over several decades in the field of electrorheology. The review examines the basic principles of the electrorheological effect and its physical foundations, approaches of rheological description, and widely uses experimental techniques and methods. A roadmap for modern electrorheological fluids has been proposed. Various compositions of electrorheological fluids and the types of used fillers are considered in detail. The exceptional wideness of the operational characteristics of materials with electrorheological activity is shown, as well as their areas of application. The general modern research trends and directions that are still being developed are also noted. Particular attention of researchers is directed to materials with a low concentration of the dispersed phase and a contrasting transition from viscous to elastic behavior under an electric field. In this regard, fillers with high aspect ratio are widely considered for electrorheological fluids. It is assumed that this review will be useful not only for a novice reader who has just become familiar with the concept of electrorheological fluids, but also for an experienced researcher, in order to better understand the nature of the effect. The review can promote to reach the goal of creating materials with tunable and predetermined properties. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.