Smart Materials
Design & Technology: AQA GCSE, topic 1.3.2
Smart Materials
A smart material is a material that will react to a change in the environment. This group of materials change when stimulated by heat, pressure, water, stress, PH Level, light or electricity.
Thermochromic pigments
- Thermochromic pigments change when stimulated by heat.
- The material is in a pigment form and is added to a variety of products.
- The pigment colour usually changes when they heat up or cool down.
- Commonly used in children’s thermometers, temperature indicators, children’s cutlery or novelty goods.
Photochromic pigments
- Photochromic pigments change when stimulated by light.
- The material is in a pigment compound and is added to a variety of products.
- The pigment colour usually changes when exposed to UV light where they lighten or darken once the light is taken away.
- Commonly used in clothing, light changing paints and children’s novelty products.
Shape memory alloys (SMA)
- Shape memory alloys (SMA) change when stimulated by heat or electricity.
- The material is usually a thin metal wire or sheet.
- A shape memory alloys (SMA) can be heated then deformed.
- The shape will return to its original design when reheated.
- Commonly used in surgical stents, dental braces, glasses for frames and fire sprinklers.
Polycaprolactone (PCL)
- Polycaprolactone is commonly known as polymorph and changes when stimulated by heat.
- A white or coloured clear bead that can be easily moulded by hand.
- This smart material is fully biodegradable and can be moulded and remoulded in hot water.
- Commonly used in prototype modelling, hand-shaped products and jewellery.
Smart Materials
A smart material is a material that will react to a change in environment. This group of materials change when stimulated by heat, pressure, water, stress PH Level, light or electricity.
Quantum tunnelling composite (QTC)
- Quantum tunnelling composites change when stimulated by pressure.
- This polymer layer has suspended conductive nanoparticles that do not touch each other.
- This smart material is in a free-flowing state at rest but a conductor when stimulated by pressure.
- Commonly used in touch-sensitive mobile screens, wearable technology and speed controllers.
Piezoelectrical material
- Piezoelectrical materials change when stimulated by movement, electricity or stress.
- This material can be polymer, ceramic or quartz crystal.
- A change or shape in a material is a result of stress or movement applied producing an electrical signal.
- Commonly used in mobile phone speakers, gas lighters, quartz clocks and inkjet printers.
Litmus paper
- Litmus paper changes colour when stimulated by a PH level.
- These strips of paper change colour when in contact with various levels of PH, turning red in acid and blue in alkaline.
- Commonly used for scientific experiments for PH levels, soil testing for gardeners and chemical balance for swimming pools.
Test yourself on Smart Materials
What changes when stimulated by light?
What does QTC stand for in relation to smart materials?
Which smart materials changes when stimulated by pressure?
What is NOT something that stimulates Piezoelectrical materials to change?
What is NOT something piezoelectrical material is commonly used in?