Smart Materials
Thermochromic Ink
P: Can be mixed with acrylic paint. At room temperature it shows its usual colour, but when heated or cooled the colour changes or appears. A: Thermometers or other heat indicating items. Watch a video here |
Photochromic Ink
P: The ink reacts to UV light (such as sunshine) by darkening. A: Sunglasses or other glass products Watch a video here |
Shape Memory Alloy
P: When heat or an electrical current passes through the wire contracts (shortens). A: Dental braces, mechanisms in sprinklers, used to hold broken bones together, spectacle frames. Watch a video here |
QTC
Quantuum Tunneling Composite P: When pressed the QTC resists a current slowing or stopping the electrical charge passing through, this can then act as a switch or button. A: Fabric keyboard keys, switches. Watch a video here |
The thing to remember about smart materials is the meaning of the names;
Thermo = Heat
Photo = Light
Chromic = Colour
So for example Thermochromic means the change would be Heat and the reaction would be Colour
Thermo = Heat
Photo = Light
Chromic = Colour
So for example Thermochromic means the change would be Heat and the reaction would be Colour
New Materials
Precious Metal Clay (PMC)
P: Made from 99% gold or silver and 1% clay. It can be shaped at room temperature, then heated. A: Very expensive and mainly used for jewellery, beads and small sculpture. |
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