Smart and Modern Materials

Question 1

Smart materials

Answer 1

Materials whose physical properties change in response to an input. E.g. making them simpler or safer to use

Question 2

Modern materials

Answer 2

Materials that have only been available in their present form since the 1960’s or 1970’s. They cannot be considered ‘smart’ since they do not react in any way to the environment in which they are used

Question 3

Piezoelectric devices

Answer 3

Devices that either generate electricity when loaded, or change shape/size with a useful force when connected to an electronic circuit

Question 4

Thermochromics pigment

Answer 4

A smart material that changes colour in response to changes in temperature. E.g. whether food or drink that it contains is too hot to consume

Question 5

Liquid crystals

Answer 5

Carbon-based crystals that can have their orientation changed when an electric current is passed through them.

Question 6

Phosphorescent pigments

Answer 6

Ceramic powders that have the ability to absorb light and then release the light energy over a long period of time. They can be mixed with acrylic paints/inks for creating illuminated signs that do not require an additional power source

Question 7

Shape memory alloys

Answer 7

Metal alloys specially developed to ‘remember’ their shape under specific conditions. E.g. nickel/titanium alloys for ‘memoflex’ glasses

Question 8

Rheological

Answer 8

Refers to the deformation and the flow of matter e.g. the way greases and fluids react to movement between adjacent components.

Question 9

Semi-conductor material

Answer 9

A material that will conduct electricity only under special circumstances, e.g. when it has reached a specific temperature or when a particular voltage has been applied.

Question 10

Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD)

Answer 10

Liquid crystals are carbon-based compounds that can be made to move in response to a small voltage e.g. when they are in a ‘natural state’, they allow light to pass through - when charged, the crystals align with the flow of electrons, making a pattern or block of colour.

Question 11

Plastic coating

Answer 11

The process of heating a metal (usually mild steel) product to around 230 degrees C and then dipping it into a fluidised bath of thermoplastic plastic granules, which stick to the product. A smooth plastic finish is achieved

Question 12

Maplex

Answer 12

A modern man-made board produced from wood fibres. The structure is not bonded using adhesives, instead it uses very high compressive forces to form the material ? furniture industry and manufacture of interior fittings