AQA ------ Energies, Materials, Systems and Devices Flashcards
- Modern Materials - Smart Materials - Composite Materials and Technical Textiles
What is a modern material?
A new invention or one that has been recently discovered.
What are Biodegradable Polymers made from?
Vegetable Starches usually Corn-Starch
What are common Biodegradable polymers and a use for each?
- (PLA) = Polylactic Acid, used for 3D Printing Filament.
- (PHB) = Polyhydroxybutyrate / Biopol, used for plastic products.
- (PCL) = Polycaprolacoane / Polymorph, used for manufacturing aawkward shaped such as ergonomics.
What is Polymorph?
An item which can take multiple forms.
At what temperature does poly-morph and cool-morph melt?
Poly-Morph - 62 degrees
Cool-Morph - 42 degrees
Titanium is an element, it is commonly mixed with other alloys; why?
^ It is relatively lightweight, tough and stiff with a low density.
^ It has excellent corrosion resistance making it very versatile.
^ Titanium does not react with the human body
What is fibre optic and what are its uses?
Fibre optic cables carry light down a thin glass core, the uses of it are cable TV and broadband infrastructure, endoscopes and microelectronics and novelty goods.
What is Graphene?
It was accidentally discovered in 2004, it is one atom thick and has strength 200x steel, it is flexible, transparent, impermeable and highly electrically conductible.
How small are nano-materials
They are around the same size as a DNA molecule, they range from 1 to 1000 nano-metres.
How is metal foam created?
Gas is injected into liquid aluminium or titanium
What are smart materials?
They are materials which change properties and characteristics to respond to external stimulus.
What does a thermochromic material react to?
Thermal changes in the enviroment.
What does a photochromic material react to?
Ultra-Violet light changes in the enviroment.
What does a hydrochromic material react to?
Water (moisture) changes in the enviroment.
What does a piezoelectricmaterial react to?
Movement, stress ore electricity changes.