Developments In New Materials Flashcards
What is a modern material?
A material that has been engineered to have improved properties
Modern materials can be used alongside traditional materials like paper, wood, stone, and metals.
Name three commonly used modern materials.
- Concrete
- Aluminium
- Steel
These materials have been developed to enhance various properties compared to traditional materials.
What is graphene?
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.
What potential application does graphene have?
It could provide body armour that is bulletproof, invisible, and almost weightless
This highlights the innovative possibilities of modern materials.
True or False: Graphene can be manufactured in large quantities currently.
False
The current manufacturing capabilities do not allow for large-scale production of graphene.
Fill in the blank: A modern material is one that has been engineered to have _______.
[improved properties]
What are metal foams?
A strong but lightweight modern material produced by injecting a gas or foaming agent into molten metal.
What is the typical percentage of metal in metal foams?
5-25 percent.
What advantage do metal foams have over solid metal?
They retain much of their strength without the density or weight of solid metal.
In what applications are metal foams commonly used?
In vehicles such as planes and cars.
What is one key benefit of using metal foams in vehicles?
They absorb shock effectively if the vehicle crashes.
Fill in the blank: Metal foams are produced by injecting a gas or foaming agent into _______.
molten metal.
True or False: Metal foams are denser than solid metals.
False.
What properties do liquid crystal displays (LCDs) use to display an image?
The light-modulating properties of liquid crystals
What are the states of liquid crystals used in LCDs?
Between a liquid and solid state
What happens to liquid crystals when a charge is applied?
The shape changes to either block light or let light through
What is required for LCDs to function?
A backlight
What technology is often used instead of LCDs in modern devices?
Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)
What is a key advantage of OLEDs over LCDs?
Allows for thinner panels and better colour and contrast
What is a disadvantage of OLEDs compared to LCDs?
More expensive as each pixel is its own light
What are nanomaterials?
Tiny particles of 1 to 100 nanometres (nm)
What is an example of a nanomaterial used in coatings?
Oleophobic coatings on smartphone screens
What do oleophobic coatings do?
Repel greasy fingerprints
What do hydrophobic materials do?
Repel water
Fill in the blank: LCDs are made up of liquid crystals that are in a _______ state.
liquid and solid
True or False: Each pixel in an OLED display is its own light source.
True
What defines a ‘smart material’?
Exhibits a physical change in response to external stimuli
Smart materials revert to their original form when the external stimuli is removed.
What are shape-memory alloys (SMA)?
Metal alloys that can remember their shape when heated
Used in applications like spectacle frames.
What is a characteristic of nickel titanium (nitinol)?
Contracts when heated
Unlike most metals, which expand when heated.
How do nitinol braces function?
They heat up in the mouth and ‘pull’ on the teeth
This helps in moving the teeth effectively.
What do thermochromic pigments do?
Change colour when their temperature changes
‘Thermo’ relates to heat and ‘chroma’ means colour.
How can thermochromic pigments be utilized?
Mixed with paint or polymers to give colour-changing properties
Commonly used in colour-changing mugs and bath items for children.
True or False: All modern materials are considered smart materials.
False
Smart materials are a specific subset of modern materials.
Fill in the blank: Shape-memory alloys can return to their original shape when __________ is removed.
external stimuli
What do photochromic pigments do?
Change properties when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light
An example is glasses that become sunglasses in bright sunlight.