Smart Materials Definition – they sense conditions in their environment and respond to these conditions. They appear to think and have a memory as they will revert back to their original state time and time again. Know that some smart materials respond to changes in temperature, light or applied voltage.

Thermochromic colours Change colour in response to a temperature change. Colour disappears above 27degress and reappears below that.

Photochromic inks – colours change in response to a change in the level of light (t shirt) see example Smart wire – changes length or shape in response to a temperature change

Treated papers are available for computer printers, especially for ink-jet printers. They absorb the ink and generate crisp colour reproduction. Thermochromatic pigments are supplied in paste form and can be mixed with any type of acrylic paint. At normal room temperature the pigment shows its usual colour, but when heated above 27°C the colour changes to black. When the temperature falls below 27° C again the colour reappears.acrylic Phosphorescent pigments are pigments which glow in the dark, first absorbing light and then emitting it after the light source has been removed. Thermocolour sheet is a sheet material printed with thermochromic liquid - that is, one that changes colour as the temperature changes. Polymorph is a plastic that becomes mouldable at 62°C. It can be used for product-modelling, especially where curved shapes are involved (for example handles), and for making simple moulds for vacuum-forming. product-modellingvacuum-forming High-density modelling foam is a foam-based material that is available in blocks. It can be shaped easily using hand and machine tools and takes fine detail well. It is often used on CNC milling machines.CNC