Smart Materials

Question 1

Shape memory alloys

Answer 1

Can be plastically deformed and will return to original shape when heated
Pros - lengthen the life of a product, reduced overall size
Cons - expensive, continuous use can cause metal fatigue

Question 2

Temperature responsive polymers

Answer 2

Can change physical properties eg. Shape with a change in temp
Pros - use in biomedical applications
Cons - still be researched so wider applications may take time

Question 3

Piezoelectric materials

Answer 3

Can change physical properties with a change in temp such as when compressed produces a current or vice versa
Pros - sustainable, low maintenance, compact size
Cons - wear out, has a temp and voltage limit

Question 4

Nano materials

Answer 4

Made of tiny components, less than 100 nanometres wide. Particles tubes or films
Pros - large relative surface area can improve properties, can combine properties
Cons - unusual chemical and physical properties could potentially risk the environment, expensive

Question 5

Photochromic glass

Answer 5

Darkens when exposed to light and reverses in the dark, tiny silver particles react with the UV
Pros - adapts easily to changing conditions, can be used again
Cons - may be slow to react, cannot control the reaction

Question 6

Reactive glass

Answer 6

Uses electrochromic tech to change from transparent to opaque by applying voltage
Pros - retains heat so reduces energy bills, instant privacy without blocking of light
Cons - expensive, requires electricity source

Question 7

Conductive inks

Answer 7

Contain pigments that allow currents to flow through it, used in a pen
Pros - easy to use, lighter than circuit boards, can be folded
Cons - silver is expensive, difficult to get circuits right and can’t be erased

Question 8

thermo ceramics

Answer 8

have a complex internal structure that makes them extremely hard and stable

pros - it is a sintered material meaning that they have microscopic gaps that absorb oil making them good for bearings

cons - very expensive due to custom moulds to make each part and can be brittle

Question 9

Liquid crystal display (LCD)

Answer 9

made of carbon based Nano tubes that can be a solid or a liquid
when voltage is applied it goes dark because it causes the carbon compounds to align and act a polarisation filter this blocks all light coming from the lit back screen or if voltage isn’t applied light reflects through the crystals to the front screen

Question 10

quantum tunnelling composites

Answer 10

when relaxed it is a near perfect insulator and when stretched becomes more of a conductor this is why drills speed up the more you squeeze the trigger as you strain the QTC’s