Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is introduced to provide a new and robust alternative design for linear magnetorheological (MR) brakes, i.e. MR-brakes. The novel embodiments herein combines a serpentine flux path concept to eliminate conventional piston-cylinder arrangements and as a beneficial result when coupled with the linear brake embodiment disclosed herein, significantly reduce off-state friction and facilitates such devices to provide longer stroke length (i.e., infinite stroke lengths) beyond that as provided in conventional systems. The present linear brake embodiments disclosed herein thus provides, for example, for a ratio of the off-state friction force to the maximum force output at about 3% compared to 10% up to about 27% for similar conventional/commercial brake mechanisms. At the same time, the compactness is beneficially improved be being about half the size of a commercially available product.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Paul_Patent_2939952_Fig5.