Looking for a material!

[RLDuffey]

Hi,

I am a student looking for a material for a project at school. I am currently studying mechanical engineering so the chemistry and materials aspect is a bit over my head.

We're working on a concept to develop a more ergonomic chair and would like to find a material that would be comfortable to sit on.

My vision would be a bunch of gel-like spheres that could be electrically stimulated and move around due to a current passed over them. Also maybe create heat as a by product. Basically a comfortable thing to sit on that would be able to vibrate a bit.

I've been trying to find stuff online but my limited knowledge of gears and beams isn't helping too much.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Endy0816]

Generally gels are non-magnetic...

 

Maybe gel pads combined with a feromagnetic liquid? There are soft gel magnets but price for a whole chair would be up there.

 

My main thought is that what you are asking for would have to be custom made. Not impossible but pricey.

[Enthalpy]

For a single user, you could cast a foam to the body shape. Is it done for race drivers?

 

For many users, a water bed maybe? That will work at horizontal surfaces.