Smart Materials

Question 1

What is a smart material?

Answer 1

A material whose physical properties change in response to an input

Question 2

What are all the inputs for smart materials?

Answer 2

Light
Temperature
Pressure
pH

Question 3

What is Thermochromic Pigment?

Answer 3

Reacts to temperature, changes the colour of the material.

Question 4

What is Photochromic Pigment?

Answer 4

Ink reacts to UV light by darkening.

Question 5

What is Photochromic Pigment used in?

Answer 5

Sunglasses or other glass products.

Question 6

What is Thermochromic Pigment used in?

Answer 6

Used in thermometers or other heat indicating items.

Question 7

What is Phosphorescent Pigment?

Answer 7

Able to glow in the dark, absorb light energy and store it to then release it over a period of time.

Question 8

What is Phosphorescent Pigment used in?

Answer 8

Fire safety signs, watch faces.

Question 9

What is shape memory alloy?

Answer 9

When heat or an electrical current passes through the wire contracts.

Question 10

What is Shape Memory Alloy used in?

Answer 10

Dental braces, glasses frames.

Question 11

What is a Piezoelectric Material?

Answer 11

They produce an electrical current when they are placed under mechanical stress, it is also reversible so can change the shape up to 4%.