Smart Materials

Question 1

What is a Smart Material?

Answer 1

A material whose physical properties change in response to an input or change in the environment, such as electricity, pressure, temperature or light.

Question 2

Name four examples of an “input” that could cause a change to happen in a Smart Material.

Answer 2

Electricity, Pressure, Temperature or Light.

Question 3

Name three examples of a Smart Material.

Answer 3

Shape Memory Alloys (SMA), Thermochromatic Pigment, Thermochromatic Film, Phosphorescent Pigment, Photochromic Pigment, Electroluminescent Wire and Piezo Electric Material.

Question 4

Why is Thermochromatic Film suitable for Thermometers?

Answer 4

• It changes colour in response to temperature change.
• The colour change, such as red for hot, makes it easier to read than small numbers or lines, as used on traditional thermometers.
• It is a non-toxic material, therefore much safer to use than mercury thermometers, for example for taking the temperature of a young child.
• It can be incorporated into a film strip, making it flexible enough to go on to a forehead when taking a temperature reading.

Question 5

What could Shape Memory Alloy be used for?

Answer 5

Braces.

Question 6

What could Phosphorescent Pigment be used for?

Answer 6

An emergency exit sign that lights up.