Smart and modern materials

• Smart materials are materials whose physical properties change in response to an input or change In the environment.
• Modern materials are developed through the invention of new improved processes as a result of man made materials or human intervention
• Modern materials are not smart materials as they do not react to external change.
• Thermo ceramics - metal powder is placed in a mould or die under high pressure. The pressure bonds the particles.
• Thermoceramics are very hard and stable at high temps of 100 degrees
• Uses of thermo ceramics

  • Turbine blades in jet engine
  • drill bits
• Shape memory alloys - changes in shape in response to change in temperature or electrical input
• uses of shape memory alloys

  • Dental braces
  • stents
• Reactive glass is glass that reacts to change in temperature by changing tint.
• Reactive glass gets hot and the glass darkens to block heat from entering through the glass.
• Reactive glass uses

  • Apartment windows
  • Glass roofing
• Liquid crystal displays change colour when an electrical voltage is applied. The cell turns from light to dark.
• Uses of LCD

  • Digital clocks
  • Screens
• Photochromic material changes colour with light intensity
• Photochromic material uses

  • Welding goggles
• Thermochromic material changes colour in response to temperature change.
• Uses of thermo chromic material

  • room thermometers
  • colour change mugs
  • baby feeding spoons
• Quantum tunnelling composites (QTC) is insulating rubber containing tiny metal particles. Material is pressure or force sensing. The input changes it from electrical insulator to conductor.
• Uses of QTC

  • Touch screen technology