Smart Materials Smart materials have one or more properties/features that can respond to external stimuli, such as stress, light, temperature, moisture, pH, electric or magnetic fields and return to there original state when the stimuli is removed.
Thermochromic Materials
Shape memory alloys
Phosphorescent Materials
Photochromic Materials
Polymorph
Durable Sustainable Lightweight Affordable
The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette uses a
lightweight heat-activated shape
memory alloy wire in place of a
heavier motorised part to open the vent that allows the trunk lid to
close more easily.
Potential applications as, e.g. self-adjusting orthodontic wires, selectively pliable tools for small scale surgical
procedures, implants (minimally invasive, through small incisions or natural orifices, implantation of a device in
its small temporary shape).
Thermochromic liquid crystals can be incorporated into special ink and printed onto different surfaces such as plastic, paper, textiles and ceramics. They respond to heat by changing colour at specific temperatures. Thermo = Heat, Chromic = Colour
Examples include:- •Kettles •Thermometers •Battery Testers •Heat Sensitive Ceramics •Heat Sensitive Paper •Clothing
Colour Changing Kettles
Colour Changing Postage Stamps Battery Tester Heat Responsive Mugs
Thermometers
Heat Sensitive fabric
Thermochromic Ceramics
Photochromic pigments reacts to bright light (Ultra Violet).
This T-shirt uses Photochromic inks for decoration purposes. Special pigments change colour when exposed to solar light and reverse back to clear when the light source is removed.
Photochromic lenses are light sensitive lenses that darken on exposure to U V light, protecting
the user’s eyes from harmful radiation.
Bike helmet with a Photochromic Safety Visor
Stickers used in a shower room that
changed colour and revealed a
decorative pattern. The bathroom
looked white again as soon as the walls were dry.
Phosphorescent pigments have been applied to fabric which glow in the dark.
A cordless glow in the dark lamp made from a phosphorescent light bulb embedded in a block of acrylic. It
is very energy efficient as it requires no electricity. Phosphorescent pigments absorb light during the day and
then glow at night.
Phosphorescent plastic used in children‘s bedrooms captures light energy and releases it slowly, glowing in the dark.
Phosphorescent inks enable us to see clocks, watches and signs in the dark.