Exonetik Inc
Development  of a Magnetorheological Robotic Device for Space — Actuators transform electrical energy into  mechanical energy to move and control mobile devices. Magnetorheological ( MR )  actuation is a unique technology with exceptional dynamic performance thanks to  the MR fluid's viscosity that increases when exposed to a magnetic field,  almost to the point of becoming solid. Actuators using MR fluids present  characteristics making them very interesting for use in space compared to other  types of actuators: increased performance, lower mass and more safety when used  for applications involving human-robot interactions. Exonetik proposes to  study the feasibility of using MR actuators in inhabited space environments for  future space missions. More specifically, the work will consist in assessing  the most critical risks of using MR actuators in space environments: launch  vibrations, in-use outgassing, and safety of use. The biggest technological  unknown lies around outgassing. Conventional off-the-shelf MR fluids use  hydrocarbon-based oil