Smart Materials

Question 1

Smart Material

Answer 1

Materials that react to a change in their environment

Question 2

Technical Textiles

Answer 2

Materials engineered with specific performance characteristics for a particular purpose or function

Question 3

Composites

Answer 3

Two or more materials (matrix and reinforcement) joined together to create new enhanced material

Question 4

Rhovyl

Answer 4

Non-flammable, synthetic, crease resistant, thermal, anti-bacterial, comfortable, dries quickly, doesn’t retain odours
e.g. socks

Question 5

Geotextiles

Answer 5

Works with soil to filter, separate, protect, drain
Woven or bonded, synthetic or natural, permeable
e.g. coastal defences, civil engineering (roads), embankments

Question 6

Nomex

Answer 6

Aramid (strong, non-flammable), extremely strong, withstands extreme conditions
e.g. firefighters’ uniforms, racing drivers’ clothing

Question 7

Sun-protective clothing

Answer 7

Tightly woven/knitted so gaps between yarns are small to prevent UV rays from getting through
Elastane fibres added to further reduce spaces

Question 8

Breathable fabrics (e.g. Gore-Tex)

Answer 8

Three or more fabrics laminated together with hydrophilic membrane in the middle - stops water (rain) passing through but air and tiny droplets (sweat) can permeate
e.g. high performance clothing and footwear (regulates body temperature)

Question 9

Phase-changing materials

Answer 9

Change state and can store and release heat over small temperature range
Absorb energy during heating and release during cooling
e.g. cold weather clothing (stores body heat)

Question 10

Microfibres

Answer 10

Lightweight, synthetic, usually polyester or nylon, extremely fine, excellent strength-to-weight ratio, breathable, water-resistant
e.g. clothing, cleaning cloths

Question 11

Interactive textiles

Answer 11

Electronic circuits integrated into textiles to interact with the wearer
Conductive fibres woven in to connect a circuit
e.g. monitor heart rate, body temp

Question 12

Glass reinforced plastic

Answer 12

Composite of glass fibres and polyester resin, rigid, tough, lightweight
Difficult to recycle
e.g. surfboards, canoes, car bodywork

Question 13

Kevlar

Answer 13

Lightweight, flexible, durable, aramid, excellent heat resistance, corrosion resistant, chemical resistant, high tensile strength-to-weight
e.g. police body armour (woven into lattice to protect against knife attacks)

Question 14

Carbon fibre reinforced polymer

Answer 14

Woven carbon fibre strands encased in polymer resin
High tensile strength, lightweight, rigid
e.g. sports equipment, tennis racket

Question 15

Biomimetics

Answer 15

Materials inspired from structures from natural world
e.g. Fastskin (Speedo) swimwear mimics shark sandpaper-like skin by reducing drag in water

Question 16

Micro-encapsulation

Answer 16

Microscopic capsules applied to fibres, fabrics or papers
Contain vitamins, oils, anti-bacterial chemicals etc which are released through friction
e.g. ski uniforms, military clothing

Question 17

Thermochromic pigments

Answer 17

Change colour in response to heat change
e.g. baby bottles (show if milk is too hot)

Question 18

Photochromic pigments

Answer 18

Change colour in response to light change
e.g. sunglasses (darker in response to UV radiation)

Question 19

Shape memory alloys

Answer 19

Return to original shape if heated e.g. nitinol made of titanium and nickel
e.g. medical fastenings for bone fractures

Question 20

Quantum tunnelling composite

Answer 20

Flexible polymers that contain conductive nickel particles which contact each other when force is applied which makes the material conductive when under pressure
e.g. switches on mobile phones

Question 21

Electroluminescent material

Answer 21

Show visible light when exposed to AC current. Made from thin copper wire coated in phosphor powder
e.g. thin film on electrical applications, replacing LCD displays as they are flexible, reliable and do not generate heat