Modern Materials

Question 1

Define ‘modern material’

Answer 1

A material invented within the last 50 years (not to be confused with smart materials).

Question 2

What are the alternatives to thermoplastics?

Answer 2

Cornstarch polymers and paperfoam

Question 3

What are cornstarch polymers made from?

Answer 3

Crops such as potatoes, corn and maize which are high in starch content.

Question 4

What is the main advantage of cornstarch polymers?

Answer 4

They are biodegradable

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of cornstarch polymers?

Answer 5

They are not as versatile as oil based plastics

At the moment they don’t have some of the hard-wearing properties of oil-based plastics.

Question 6

What is paperfoam made from?

Answer 6

A combination of starch based polymers and simple paper fibres (even recycled paper).

Question 7

What are the advantages of paperfoam?

Answer 7

The material is scratch-resistant
It can be moulded to form inserts to protect and keep products in place
It is fully biodegradable
It can be coloured with vegetable dyes
It weighs less than the equivalent oil-based plastic which saves on transport and emissions.

Question 8

What is paperfoam now used for?

Answer 8

CD and DVD case inserts and some countries like Motorola are using it for their mobile phone packaging.

Question 9

What is lyocell?

Answer 9

A high-strength paper fibre produced from wood pulp.

Question 10

What is the main advantage of lyocell?

Answer 10

It is an environmentally friendly material as it is totally biodegradable within 8 days if placed in damp conditions.

Question 11

What is lyocell used for?

Answer 11

To make special papers for tea bags, coffee filters and envelopes.

Question 12

What is polymorph used for?

Answer 12

Constructing complex models and prototypes often in technology, such as torches or computer games consoles.

Question 13

Why is polymorph useful?

Answer 13

It stays hard and white at room temperature but can be softened at 60 degrees Celsius and easily moulded with your hands. It is very hard and strong so can be machined with great accuracy.

Question 14

What are precious metal clays (PMC) made up of?

Answer 14

99.9% metal, usually silver or gold, and 0.1% clay.

Question 15

What is the advantage of precious metal clays?

Answer 15

They can be shaped at room temperature. They are then heated carefully until the metal just melts.

Question 16

What is the disadvantage of precious metal clays?

Answer 16

They are very expensive so are only really used by jewelry designers.

Question 17

What is nanotechnology?

Answer 17

A method of changing the atomic structure of materials in order to make them better.

Question 18

What can nanotechnology do?

Answer 18

Make materials less expensive, lighter, stronger and more precise. For example, if you manipulate the atomic structure of carbon you can make a diamond and if you manipulate the atomic structure of silicon you can make a computer chip.