Smart Materials Theory Knowledge and Understanding

Polymorph can Polymorph is a thermoplastic material that can be shaped and reshaped any number of times. it is normally supplied as granules that look like small plastic beads. hot water In the classroom it can be heated in hot water and when it reaches 62 degrees centigrade the granules form a mass of ‘clear’ material. When removed from the hot water it can be shaped into almost any form and on cooling it becomes as solid as a material such as nylon. expensive Although expensive, polymorph is suitable for 3D modelling as it can be shaped by hand or pressed into a shape through the use of a mould. can Polymorph is a thermoplastic material that can be shaped and reshaped any number of times. it is normally supplied as granules that look like small plastic beads. hot water In the classroom it can be heated in hot water and when it reaches 62 degrees centigrade the granules form a mass of ‘clear’ material. When removed from the hot water it can be shaped into almost any form and on cooling it becomes as solid as a material such as nylon. expensive Although expensive, polymorph is suitable for 3D modelling as it can be shaped by hand or pressed into a shape through the use of a mould. FACTS How it works

Electroluminescent sheets Electroluminescent (EL) devices are actually lamps. They emit light, but they are unlike any traditional lamp. Instead of creating light by heating a filament as in an incandescent light bulb or by charging a gas field as in a fluorescent or neon tube, EL relies on phosphorescent materials which glow when exposed to a small electrical current. Electroluminescent (EL) devices are actually lamps. They emit light, but they are unlike any traditional lamp. Instead of creating light by heating a filament as in an incandescent light bulb or by charging a gas field as in a fluorescent or neon tube, EL relies on phosphorescent materials which glow when exposed to a small electrical current. FACTS How it works USES El lamps are cool, low power and emit a soft light without any irritating glare. They are invariably very thin, almost like ribbons or sheets of paper, and they can be produced in a variety of colours

The word "thermochromic" looks a little intimidating at first, but the concept itself is pretty simple. Thermo comes from the Greek word "thermos," which means warm or hot. Chromic comes from "chroma," meaning colour. Nitinol Nitinol is a metal alloy, sometimes also called 'memory metal' or more properly Shape Memory Alloy (SMA). FACTS How it works A shape memory alloy (SMA, smart metal, memory alloy, muscle wire, smart alloy) is an alloy that "remembers" its original, cold, forged shape, and which returns to that shape after being deformed by applying heat. alloyshape A shape memory alloy (SMA, smart metal, memory alloy, muscle wire, smart alloy) is an alloy that "remembers" its original, cold, forged shape, and which returns to that shape after being deformed by applying heat. alloyshape It is commonly used in ; Aircrafts Robotics Optometry It is commonly used in ; Aircrafts Robotics Optometry USES Thermochromic A thermochromic substance changes colour as it changes temperature. In fabrics, a special dye acts as the thermochromic agent FACTS USES