1.3 Smart Materials Flashcards
What are smart materials?
- Smart materials change their properties in response to stimuli
- They often return to their original state when the stimulus is taken away - the changes are reversible
Which properties can smart materials alter?
- mechanical
- thermal
- optical
- electromagnetic
What can the changes in smart materials structure, density, or appearnce be controlled by altering?
- voltage
- magnetic field
- pH
- temperature
What are 5 types of smart materials?
- Piezoelectric materials
- Shape memory alloys and plastics
- Magnetic shape memory alloys
- pH-sensitive plastics
- Chromogenic materials
What are the three types of chromogenic materials?
- Electrochromic materials
- Thermochromic materials
- Photochromic materials
What is the description of a Piezoelectric material?
Bend, expand or contract when a voltage is applied
What are the uses of Piezoelectric materials?
Used to make microelectronic circuits in computers
What is the description of a shape mermory alloy and plastic?
Thermoresponsive materials that alter their shape when the temperature changes
What are the uses of shape memory alloys and plastics?
Used to make flexible spectacles (superelastic wire).
What is the description of a magnetic shape memory alloy?
Alter their shape when the magnetic field changes
What are the uses of magnetic shape memory alloys?
Used to make hydraulics for aeroplane landing gear
What is the description of a pH-sensitive plastic?
Swell/collapse when the pH of the surrounding media changes
What are the uses of pH-sensitive plastics?
Used to make paints that changes colour when the metal beneath rusts
What is the description of a chromogenic material?
Alter their colour in response to electrical, optical or thermal changes
What is the description of a electrochromic material?
Alter their colour or opacity by applying a voltage
