Modern materials

• Micro fibres


  Extremely fine synthetic fibres, mainly polyester and polyamide
• Micro fibres


  • They are very lightweight
  • Soft and drape well
• Micro fibres


  • TACTEL (polyamide microfibre)
  • TENCEL (regenerated microfibre classed as LYOCELL)
• Natural fibres

  • ERC-MicroFiber
  • Colton
  • Filber
  • Flax
  • Wool
  • Cotton
  • Silk
• Modern materials


  Those that are continually being developed through invention of new or improved processes
• Products made from modern materials

  • Mountain Boots made from Synthetic Micro Fibres
  • Neoprene Laptop Cover
  • Fibre Optics
  • Lycra blends
  • Polartec
  • Composite materials
  • Cellular materials
  • Carbon & Kevlar fibre
  • Maplex
  • Teflon film on Photovoltaic Units
  • Helmet made from Carbon/Kevlar fibre
• Modern material


  A material that has been designed for a specific purpose or need
• Kevlar


  • Heat-resistant and strong
  • Good resistance to abrasion
  • Good resistance to organic solvents
  • Low flammability, no melting point, degradation starts from 500°C
• Gortex


  Waterproof breathable fabric engineered to handle two tasks simultaneously: repel precipitation and release perspiration vapor
• Gortex


  • Blocks wind
  • Only used with synthetics - naturals absorb but the moisture can go back onto the skin
  • Used in tents and waterproof walking gear
  • Wound care - creates a barrier that stop moisture going back onto the skin but allows the skin to breathe
• Smart material


  A material that reacts and changes to the environment around them
• Examples of smart materials

  • Shape memory alloys
  • Polymorph
  • Photochromic Materials
  • Thermochromic Materials
  • Phosphorescent Materials
• Thermochromic materials


  Thermochromic liquid crystals that respond to heat by changing colour at specific temperatures
• Photochromic materials


  Photochromic pigments that react to bright light (Ultra Violet)
• Photochromic materials


  • T-shirt with photochromic inks for decoration
  • Bike helmet with a Photochromic Safety Visor
  • Photochromic lenses
• Phosphorescent materials


  Pigments that glow in the dark
• Phosphorescent materials


  • Fabric with phosphorescent pigments
  • Phosphorescent plastic used in children's bedrooms
  • Cordless glow in the dark lamp
  • Phosphorescent inks in clocks, watches and signs
• Microencapsulation


  A way to insert fragrances, antibacterial substances into fibres, where capsules are broken through friction and release the scent or chemical
• Microencapsulation


  • Inserting moisturisers into tights to condition the skin, or caffeine to prevent tired legs
  • Facemasks at hospitals may have it to prevent germs spreading
  • In fabric conditioners
  • Embedded into designer clothes
• Flame resistant finishes


  Finishes like Proban and Pyrovatex that increase the stiffness of the fabric and reduce tearing strength, but can be removed by washing
• Water-repellent finishes


  Finishes that prevent water molecules from breaking down and being sucked (wicked) into the fabric, using wax-based, silicone based, or fluorochemical based treatments
• Water-repellent finishes


  • Teflon®
  • Nano-technology to make fibres hydrophobic and repel water and stains (e.g. NanoSphere)
• CE Symbol


  Indicates a toy meets the European Toy Safety Directive, allowing it to be sold in Europe
• Lion Mark


  Symbol of toy safety and quality, used by members of the British Toy and Hobby Association
• Age Appropriate Labels


  Indicate a toy is not suitable for children under 3 due to choke or suffocation hazards
• Kitemark


  Indicates a toy has been independently tested and complies with BS EN 71
• Open loop system


  Has no feedback and is unable to make a decision
• Closed-loop system


  Able to make a decision based on feedback
• Input devices


  Allow systems to understand changes in the environment, such as sensors that detect light, temperature or pressure
• Microcontrollers


  Programmable components that provide functionality and intelligence to products and systems
• Microcontrollers


  • Can significantly reduce the size of a circuit by replacing physical components with programming
  • Can be reprogrammed many times to allow changes without replacing components
  • Have pins for connecting several input and output devices, adding to flexibility
• Microcontrollers


  • Often cost more than traditional integrated circuits
  • Require programming software and hardware, adding to training costs
  • Require learning the language of the system
• Output devices


  Allow a system to present information back into the 'real' world, such as lights and speakers
• Output devices


  • Lamps
  • Buzzers
  • Speakers
• Belt drive


  Uses friction between a belt and pulleys to transmit motion, working like gears without teeth
• Block and tackle


  A system of two or more pulleys used in combination to reduce the effort required to lift or move a heavy load
• Lever


  A simple way to gain mechanical advantage (MA) to make lifting something much easier, with a pivot point called the Fulcrum, input called Effort, and output called the Load