Smart Materials

• A smart material is a material whose properties change reversibily, depending on the conditions.

Type of smart materials:

• Thermochromatic paint
• Photochromatic
• Hydrogels / Polymergels
• Shape memory ploymer / alloy

• Changes colour reversibly depending on the temperature.

Found in:

• dyes in clothing
• thermometre "strips"
• cans to show when its cold

This is when it changes colour reversibly, depending on light.

Found in:

• lenses in glasses (reactor lights)

• These absorb / expel water.
• They swll / shrink.

Found in:

• baby nappies
• "mop up" chemical spills
• hanging baskets

• These regain their orginal shape when heated.

Found in (polymer):

• car bodies / bumpers
• self-tightening stitches

Found in (alloy):

• specticle frames
• temperature control
• coffee machines