smart materials, composites and technical textiles

• What do smart materials react to?

  Changes in their environment
• What types of changes can smart materials undergo?

  Change in color, shape, or resistance
• What is electroluminescent wire made from?

  Thin copper wire coated in phosphor
• How does electroluminescent wire produce light?

  When exposed to an alternating electric current
• What is the structure of electroluminescent technology in flexible films?

  Light-emitting phosphor sandwiched between electrodes
• What affects the brightness of electroluminescent films?

  The voltage applied
• Why are EL films replacing LCD displays?

  They are flexible, reliable, and do not generate heat
• What are quantum tunneling composites (QTC)?

  Flexible polymers with conductive nickel particles
• How do QTCs change conductivity?

  They become conductors under pressure
• What happens to QTCs when force is removed?

  They return to being electrical insulators
• What do shape memory alloys (SMA) do when heated?

  Return to their original shape
• What is a common shape memory alloy?

  Nitinol
• What are possible applications of SMAs?

  Medical fastenings for bone fractures
• What is polymorph?

  A thermoforming polymer in granular form
• At what temperature does polymorph soften?

  62°C
• What happens to polymorph when it cools?

  It solidifies and can be shaped
• How can polymorph be reused?

  By reheating it in water
• What do photochromic pigments do?

  Change color in response to light
• How are thermochromic pigments used in baby bottles?

  To indicate the temperature of the milk
• What is micro-encapsulation?

  Applying microscopic capsules to materials
• What can be contained in micro-capsules?

  Vitamins, oils, and antiseptics
• What is biomimicry?

  Inspiration from the natural world
• What are composites?

  Materials created by joining two or more materials
• What is the matrix in a composite material?

  The primary material that surrounds reinforcement
• What is the reinforcement in a composite material?

  The material that adds strength to the matrix
• What is carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP)?


  Woven carbon fibre strands in polymer resin
• Why is CFRP used in sports equipment?

  For its strength-to-weight ratio
• What is Kevlar® used for?

  Protective clothing like body armor
• What properties make Kevlar® suitable for protective clothing?

  Durability, heat resistance, and high tensile strength
• What is glass reinforced plastic (GRP)?

  A composite of glass fibres and polyester resin
• Why is GRP difficult to recycle?

  The process of combining materials cannot be reversed
• What are technical textiles?

  Engineered textiles with specific performance characteristics
• What are interactive textiles?

  Textiles with embedded electronic devices
• What are microfibres?

  Extremely fine synthetic fibres
• What properties do microfibres have?

  Strength-to-weight ratio, water-resistance, and breathability
• What are phase-changing materials (PCMs)?

  Materials that change state to absorb or release heat
• How do PCMs function in cold weather clothing?

  They store and release body heat as needed
• What is Gore-Tex®?

  A breathable hydrophilic membrane fabric
• How does Gore-Tex® regulate body temperature?

  By allowing air and moisture to permeate
• What type of clothing is Nomex® used for?

  Firefighters' uniforms and racing gear