Unit 2 Materials and Components - Modern materials and products

Question 1

What are thermo-ceramics?

Answer 1

advanced ceramic materials that have characteristics that make them useful in specialist engineering

Question 2

What are the applications for thermo-ceramics?

Answer 2

jet engines
turbine blades
turbo chargers in cars

Question 3

What are the advantages of thermo-ceramics?

Answer 3

• good in high temperatures
• good stability
• strength

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of thermo-ceramics?

Answer 4

brittle

can crack or break

Question 5

What is photochromic glass?

Answer 5

glass that automatically gets darker in ultraviolet light

Question 6

How is photochromic glass made?

Answer 6

impregnated with the chemical silver halide and encapsulated and sealed within the glass to make it reversible

Question 7

What are solar panels?

Answer 7

photovoltaic or solar cells that can generate electricity

Question 8

How are solar panels constructed?

Answer 8

Thin layers of silicon that have had various impurities added.

Question 9

How do solar panels work?

Answer 9

Cells are exposed to sunlight
one layer becomes electron rich, another becomes electron deficient
electron flow is set up between the two layers creating a voltage

Question 10

What are the advantages of solar panels?

Answer 10

renewable energy source

Question 11

What are the disadvantages of solar panels?

Answer 11

Only a low electrical voltage created so large numbers of cells needed
cost of manufacture and installation is high