New Materials Flashcards
What is Nitinol?
A metal alloy of half nickel and half titanium
Nitinol is referred to as what?
A shape memory alloy
What can you do with Nitinol when it’s cool?
Bend it and twist it like rubber
How can Nitinol go back to its ‘remembered shape’ when bent too far?
If heated above a certain temperature
Why is Nitinol used in the frames of glasses?
If accidentally bent too far , it can go back to it’s original shape when put in a bowl of hot water
Why is Nitinol used in dental braces?
In the mouth it warms and tries to return to a ‘remembered shape ‘ gently pulling the teeth with it
Smart materials behave differently depending on….
The conditions,such as temperature
Really tiny particles ,1-100 nanometers across , are known as what?
Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles contain roughly how many atoms?
A few hundred
Nanoparticles include what?
Fullerenes
What are fullerenes?
Molecules of carbon, shaped like hollow balls or closed tubes
How are the carbon atoms arranged in fullerenes?
Hexagonal rings
Fullerenes can be formed together to form what?
Nanotubes-tiny hollow carbon tubes , a few nanometers across
Why are nanotubes strong?
Due to covalent bonds. They’re used to reinforce graphite
Why could nano materials help make new industrial catalysts?
They have a huge surface area to volume ratio
What can nanotubes be used to make?
Stronger, lighter building materials
What can Nanoparticles be used for?
To detect one type of molecule and nothing else. Highly specific sensors are already being used to test water purity
Why are Nanoparticles being used for sun cream and deodorant?
The small particles don’t leave white marks
Why could fullerenes be used in ‘nano medicine’ ?
They are absorbed more easily than most particles. Could be used to deliver drugs right to cells were they’re needed
Lubricant coatings are being developed using fullerenes why?
Reduce friction, could be used in artificial joints and gears
Nanotubes conduct electricity. What could they be used for?
Tiny electric circuits in computer chips
