Scientists are now developing "smart" fluids that can cut the costs of manufacturing the optical components used in a wide range of products, from cameras to photocopiers.
The fluids change viscosity in a fraction of a second when scientists zap them with a magnetic field.Optical engineers at the University of Rochester, working with scientists from the former Soviet Union, are using the fluids in new processes that polish lenses and other optical components.
One fluid can take several shapes, eliminating the need for several polishing tools of varying shapes.