Developments In New Materials Flashcards

1
Q

What is a modern material?

A

A material that has been engineered to have improved properties

Modern materials can be used alongside traditional materials like paper, wood, stone, and metals.

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2
Q

Name three commonly used modern materials.

A
  • Concrete
  • Aluminium
  • Steel

These materials have been developed to enhance various properties compared to traditional materials.

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3
Q

What is graphene?

A

A single carbon layer material that is hypothetically 100 times stronger than steel

Graphene is still in the hypothetical stage as it has not yet been manufactured in large enough quantities to prove its properties.

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4
Q

What potential application does graphene have?

A

It could provide body armour that is bulletproof, invisible, and almost weightless

This highlights the innovative possibilities of modern materials.

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5
Q

True or False: Graphene can be manufactured in large quantities currently.

A

False

The current manufacturing capabilities do not allow for large-scale production of graphene.

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6
Q

Fill in the blank: A modern material is one that has been engineered to have _______.

A

[improved properties]

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7
Q

What are metal foams?

A

A strong but lightweight modern material produced by injecting a gas or foaming agent into molten metal.

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8
Q

What is the typical percentage of metal in metal foams?

A

5-25 percent.

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9
Q

What advantage do metal foams have over solid metal?

A

They retain much of their strength without the density or weight of solid metal.

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10
Q

In what applications are metal foams commonly used?

A

In vehicles such as planes and cars.

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11
Q

What is one key benefit of using metal foams in vehicles?

A

They absorb shock effectively if the vehicle crashes.

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12
Q

Fill in the blank: Metal foams are produced by injecting a gas or foaming agent into _______.

A

molten metal.

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13
Q

True or False: Metal foams are denser than solid metals.

A

False.

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14
Q

What properties do liquid crystal displays (LCDs) use to display an image?

A

The light-modulating properties of liquid crystals

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15
Q

What are the states of liquid crystals used in LCDs?

A

Between a liquid and solid state

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16
Q

What happens to liquid crystals when a charge is applied?

A

The shape changes to either block light or let light through

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17
Q

What is required for LCDs to function?

A

A backlight

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18
Q

What technology is often used instead of LCDs in modern devices?

A

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)

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19
Q

What is a key advantage of OLEDs over LCDs?

A

Allows for thinner panels and better colour and contrast

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20
Q

What is a disadvantage of OLEDs compared to LCDs?

A

More expensive as each pixel is its own light

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21
Q

What are nanomaterials?

A

Tiny particles of 1 to 100 nanometres (nm)

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22
Q

What is an example of a nanomaterial used in coatings?

A

Oleophobic coatings on smartphone screens

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23
Q

What do oleophobic coatings do?

A

Repel greasy fingerprints

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24
Q

What do hydrophobic materials do?

A

Repel water

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25
Q

Fill in the blank: LCDs are made up of liquid crystals that are in a _______ state.

A

liquid and solid

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26
Q

True or False: Each pixel in an OLED display is its own light source.

A

True

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27
Q

What defines a ‘smart material’?

A

Exhibits a physical change in response to external stimuli

Smart materials revert to their original form when the external stimuli is removed.

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28
Q

What are shape-memory alloys (SMA)?

A

Metal alloys that can remember their shape when heated

Used in applications like spectacle frames.

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29
Q

What is a characteristic of nickel titanium (nitinol)?

A

Contracts when heated

Unlike most metals, which expand when heated.

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30
Q

How do nitinol braces function?

A

They heat up in the mouth and ‘pull’ on the teeth

This helps in moving the teeth effectively.

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31
Q

What do thermochromic pigments do?

A

Change colour when their temperature changes

‘Thermo’ relates to heat and ‘chroma’ means colour.

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32
Q

How can thermochromic pigments be utilized?

A

Mixed with paint or polymers to give colour-changing properties

Commonly used in colour-changing mugs and bath items for children.

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33
Q

True or False: All modern materials are considered smart materials.

A

False

Smart materials are a specific subset of modern materials.

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34
Q

Fill in the blank: Shape-memory alloys can return to their original shape when __________ is removed.

A

external stimuli

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35
Q

What do photochromic pigments do?

A

Change properties when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light

An example is glasses that become sunglasses in bright sunlight.

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36
Q

What is Quantum-tunnelling composite (QTC)?

A

An insulating rubber containing tiny particles of metal that allows electrical current when pressure is applied

Used in outdoor applications and in devices like smartphones and power tools.

37
Q

What is the function of self-healing materials?

A

Repair themselves to extend product lifespan

Includes polymers that heal cuts, corrosion-resistant metals, and concrete that heals when cracked.

38
Q

How do ferrofluids respond to a magnetic field?

A

Their properties change, allowing suspension strength to vary

Used in hydraulic suspension pistons and have friction-reducing properties.

39
Q

What is polymorph?

A

A polymer that becomes malleable when heated to about 62°C

It can be reheated and reshaped, making it suitable for ergonomic handles.

40
Q

Fill in the blank: Photochromic pigments change their properties when exposed to _______.

A

[ultraviolet (UV) light]

41
Q

True or False: Quantum-tunnelling composite (QTC) is a conductor when at rest.

A

False

42
Q

List three applications of Quantum-tunnelling composite (QTC).

A
  • Outdoor applications
  • Clothing to control smartphones
  • Power tools for variable speed controls
43
Q

Fill in the blank: Self-healing materials can include _______ that can heal knife cuts.

A

[polymers]

44
Q

What unique property do ferrofluids have?

A

They can change properties based on the strength of a magnetic field

This allows them to be used in applications like hydraulic suspension systems.

45
Q

What are modern and smart materials?

A

Materials that are engineered to have specific properties and functions

46
Q

Why is it important to keep up to date with modern and smart materials?

A

To stay informed about the latest developments and innovations

47
Q

How are modern and smart materials often used in consumer products?

A

They can be incorporated without people noticing

48
Q

What are composite materials?

A

Composite materials are made up of different materials which are combined to improve their properties.

49
Q

What are the three main categories of composite materials?

A
  • Fibre-based composites
  • Particle-based composites
  • Sheet-based composites
50
Q

What are fibre-based composites reinforced with?

A

Fibre-based composites are reinforced with fibres.

51
Q

What materials can be combined to create fibre-based composites?

A
  • Resin
  • Concrete
  • Fibres of glass or carbon
52
Q

What is one advantage of reinforcing composites with fibres?

A

Reinforcing them with fibres makes them very strong.

53
Q

What is Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP)?

A

GRP is a fibre-based composite made from glass fibres and resin.

54
Q

What are common uses for Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP)?

A
  • Boats
  • Instrument cases
55
Q

What is Carbon-reinforced plastic (CRP)?

A

CRP is a fibre-based composite made from carbon fibre and resin.

56
Q

What are common uses for Carbon-reinforced plastic (CRP)?

A
  • Formula 1 car bodies
  • Crash helmets
  • Sports equipment
57
Q

What is Glass-reinforced concrete (GRC)?

A

GRC is a fibre-based composite made from glass fibre and concrete.

58
Q

What are common uses for Glass-reinforced concrete (GRC)?

A
  • Street furniture
  • Urban features
59
Q

What are sheet-based composites?

A

Materials made by mixing wood fibres or thin slices of wood veneers with resin to form large and stable sheets.

60
Q

What is Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) made from?

A

Wood pulp and resin.

61
Q

What are the uses of Medium-density fibreboard (MDF)?

A

Furniture and interior cladding.

62
Q

What is Plywood made from?

A

Wood veneers and resin.

63
Q

What are the uses of Plywood?

A

Furniture and construction.

64
Q

What is Chipboard made from?

A

Wood chip and resin.

65
Q

What are the uses of Chipboard?

A

Furniture panels and construction.

66
Q

Fill in the blank: Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is used for _______.

A

Furniture and interior cladding.

67
Q

True or False: Plywood is made from wood pulp and resin.

A

False.

68
Q

What is the primary component of Chipboard?

A

Wood chip.

69
Q

What are composites?

A

Composites are engineered materials designed to improve properties.

70
Q

What is an example of a composite material mentioned?

A

Wood reinforced with strips of carbon to make a bicycle frame.

71
Q

What is a common characteristic of original materials used in composites?

A

They often have useful features like formability or appearance but lack strength or durability.

72
Q

True or False: New composites are no longer being developed.

A

False

73
Q

Fill in the blank: Composites are designed to meet a particular _______.

A

[need or purpose]

74
Q

What problem do material combinations in composites typically solve?

A

They solve issues of strength or durability.

75
Q

What are technical textiles?

A

Textiles with advanced and useful properties.

76
Q

What was a major advance in textile technology?

A

The invention of polyamide, commonly known as nylon.

77
Q

What is nylon used for?

A

As a fabric in clothing.

78
Q

What properties can modern textiles be engineered to have?

A

Additional strength, resistance to fire, water, and dirt.

79
Q

What are conductive fabrics?

A

Fabrics that allow a small electrical current to safely pass through them.

80
Q

What is one application of conductive fabrics?

A

Dissipating static charge or touch-screen gloves.

81
Q

Fill in the blank: A major advance in textile technology was the invention of _______.

A

nylon.

82
Q

True or False: Modern textiles are only made from natural materials.

A

False.

83
Q

What are fire-retardant fabrics?

A

Textiles that are more resistant to fire than others, through chemical treatment or manufactured fireproof fibres.

84
Q

In what applications are fire-retardant fabrics commonly used?

A

Furniture and furnishings where fire safety is paramount.

85
Q

What is Kevlar®?

A

A tightly woven fabric that has great impact resistance.

86
Q

List three applications of Kevlar®.

A
  • Racing tyres
  • Racing sails
  • Bulletproof vests
87
Q

True or False: Fire-retardant fabrics are less resistant to fire than standard textiles.

A

False

88
Q

Fill in the blank: Kevlar® is commonly used in _______.

A

[bulletproof vests]