Smart Materials
- Created by: Mackie1100
- Created on: 28-12-20 17:23
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- Smart Materials
- What are they?
- Respond to differences in temp or light and change in some way
- They sense the conditions in their environment and respond
- Appear to 'think' and have 'memory' as they revert back to their original state
- Respond to differences in temp or light and change in some way
- Shape memory alloys
- SMA remembers its original shape when deformed + returns to it when heated
- E.g. Glasses frames which return to original shape after being bent
- E.g. simple and effective way to move parts in machines, like cooling vents
- Polymers can also be 'programmed' to return to original shape when heated
- Thermochromic sheet
- Printed with liquid crystal 'ink' that changes colour above 27 C
- Used in toys, jewelry and temp indicators
- Thermochromic pigments
- Often used on novelty mugs that reveal design as hot water is poured in
- Can be added to polymers to create plastics which react to heat
- E.g. baby feeding spoons which warn you if food / drink is too hot
- Photochromic materials
- React to light
- E.g. glasses that darken in bright light use photochromic lenses
- Self healing materials
- Have ability to detect and repair damage done to them
- Can use embedded capsules that release an adhesive when the materials cracks
- E.g. polymers with internal adhesive - used on products such as cutting mats
- E.g. Bioconcrete heals itself using bacteria that react with any water that gets into it and produce limestone to fill any micro cracks that appear
- Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC)
- Insulating rubber containing tiny particles of metal
- When squashed, metal particles meet + allow flow of electrical current
- Insulator when resting / conductor when pressure is applied
- Often used in outdoor applications where water could damage tiny microswitches
- Has been used in clothing to control smart phones + in power tools to give variable speed controls
- Insulating rubber containing tiny particles of metal
- What are they?
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