Smart MaterialsSmart Materials

Smart Materials

A smart material is a material that can be controlled. It can be made to change its colour, size or shape and be returned to its original form at will.

Smart Materials

The control input can be . . .

• Light change• Temperature change• Pressure• Electric current

Smart Materials

Photothermic ink changes colour when the temperature is raised above a certain level

Smart Materials

Photothermic ink changes colour when the temperature is raised above a certain level

Smart Materials

Photochromic ink changes colour when the light is raised above a certain level

Smart Materials

Photochromic ink changes colour when the light is raised above a certain level

Smart Materials

Phosphourescent material gives off a small amount of light that can be seen in the darkness.

Smart Materials

Phosphourescent material gives off a small amount of light that can be seen in the darkness.

Smart Materials

Electroluminescent material lights up when a very small electric current is passed through it.It doesn’t give off any heat.

Smart Materials

This Conducting Polymer flexes like a muscle when a small electric current is passed through it.

Smart Materials

This Conducting Polymer expands and contracts dramatically in response to a small electric current

Smart Materials

This Piezoelectric material produces a small electric current in response to pressure

Smart Materials

Shape Memory AlloysSMA’s have different molecular structures at different temperatures. If they are reshaped when cooled, they will return to their original shape at room temperature.

Smart Materials

These glasses frames are made from the SMA Nitinol. If they are bent, the alloy will return to its original shape at room temperature.

Shape Memory Alloys

Smart Materials

This spoon has a nitinol section that bends immediately on contact with warm water

Shape Memory Alloys

Smart Materials

The Future . . .

• Plastics that conduct electricity– Using stainless steel fibres

• Environmentally friendly plastics– Manufactured without the use of nasty toxins

• Biodegradable plastics– Materials that have less impact on the environment

• Shape memory plastics– Change shape at particular temperatures

Smart Materials

The Future . . .

• Nanotechnology– Engineering in miniature . . . with massive

consequences?

• Over to you . . .– What next?

• Composite materials– Made by bonding two or more materials together

Smart Materials