Developments in New Materials

Question 1

Modern materials

Answer 1

Modern materials are new materials developed to have desired properties

Question 2

Graphene

Answer 2

A two dimensional layer of carbon- harder than diamond, 300x stronger than steel, light, transparent and conductive- used in conductive ink and solar cells

Question 3

Metal foam

Answer 3

Metals like aluminium can be made into foam by injecting gas when it is in a liquid state- lightweight, high compressive strength, energy absorbing- used in soundproofing, prosthetics and crash protection

Question 4

Titanium

Answer 4

Fourth most abundant metal, high corrosion resistance, strong, low density- used in white pigment (titanium oxide) in paint and cosmetics

Question 5

Coated metals

Answer 5

Includes anodised aluminium (corrosion resistant and easier to paint) nickel plated steels (attractive finishes, made via electrolysis) and polymer coated aluminium (make product corrosion resistant at a lower price, dip coated)

Question 6

Liquid crystal display

Answer 6

LCD is a laminated material of two layers of glass with a liquid crystal core that lets light through when a voltage is applied- used in TVs and digital watches

Question 7

Nanomaterials

Answer 7

Used in surface coatings or thin films on computer chips, they can be used in sports on tennis rackets and in clothing to reduce sweat absorption

Question 8

Corn starch polymers

Answer 8

Developed to replace oil-based thermoplastics, used in short-life products because they are biodegradable

Question 9

Smart materials

Answer 9

Materials that have multiple or one property that can be changed via external stimuli

Question 10

Thermochromic pigments

Answer 10

Materials that change colour at specific temperatures

Question 11

Shape memory alloys

Answer 11

If they are bent or deformed they return back to shape when heated which is useful in fire alarms or repairing damaged products

Question 12

Photochromic pigments

Answer 12

Change colour if the level of light changes- used in sunglass lenses and windows

Question 13

Composites

Answer 13

Materials made from two or more materials and they combine the properties of these materials

Question 14

Concrete

Answer 14

Mixture of cement, sand and stone to create a material with good compressive strength- steel is added for better tensile strength

Question 15

Glass-fibre reinforced polymer

Answer 15

Combines strands of glass with a flexible polymer to create a tough but not brittle material, used in car bodies and yacht hulls

Question 16

Technical textiles

Answer 16

Textile materials and products that are manufactured for their technical and performance properties

Question 17

Conductive fabrics

Answer 17

Have conductive fibres/ powders put into them, they are used in fencing to help with scoring systems

Question 18

Fire-resistant fabrics

Answer 18

Used in firefighter suits, children’s pjs and furnishings

Question 19

Kevlar

Answer 19

Layers of a woven material with incredible strength are combined with layers of resin which results in a very light material that doesn’t melt or freeze- used in bulletproof vests and motorcycle clothing

Question 20

Gore-Tex

Answer 20

Waterproof but breathable textile due to tiny pores which are too small to let water in but large enough to let sweat out

Question 21

Microfibres

Answer 21

Thin synthetic fibres used for outdoor clothing and sportswear because they are breathable and durable