Smart Materials

Question 1

What are smart materials

Answer 1

A materials that changes it sproperties in rsponse to changes in its enviroment.
Materials whose physical properties change in response to an input or change in the enviroment, such as electricity, pressure, temperature or light

Question 2

Thermochromic pigments

Answer 2

Hot and cold temperatures trigger a change of colour in specail thermochromic dyes
Applications include - Fever scan strips, childrens cutlery and crockery

Question 3

Photochromic pigments

Answer 3

• UV light stimulates particles in a special pigment
• The effect only lasts as long as storng UV light is present
• These pigments are mainly used or novelty goods and colour changing paints

Question 4

Shape memory alloy

Answer 4

• Are metal alloys that can remember their shape whe heated
• If the shape of the object is changed it will return to its orginial shape when heat or a current is applied
• Uses are glasses frames greenhouse window openers medical stents and orthodontic wires

Question 5

Phosphorescent materials

Answer 5

• Phosphorescence is a process wherby energy from the sun is absorbed by a material and it is released slowly over a long time in the form of light
• The energy /light emitted is at a low intensity and this can last for many hours
• Uses - Glow in the dark toys, stickers, paint, wrist watch and clock dials

Question 6

Piezoelectric materials

Answer 6

• Generates a small elecritc charge when sensors are compressed.
• Can also generate movement when an elctric charge is applied
• Uses - Generating energy, Sensors buglar alarms, keyless car entry and seat belt sensors

Question 7

Electrolminescent wire

Answer 7

• Is a thin copper wire coated in a phosphor which glows brightly when a current is applied to it. EL glow wire or electroluminesent wire is a portable light source that works to provide a birght colourful glow that looks just like Neon

Question 8

What are modern materials and give some examples

Answer 8

A material that has recently been developed for specific application.
- Graphene
- Metal foams
- titanium
- Coated metals
- Nanomaterials
- Teflon

Question 9

What are technical textiles and examples

Answer 9

Textile materials and products that are manufactured for their technical and performance qualities
- Conductive fabrics
- Fire resistant fabrics
- Kevlar
- Gore tex