SMART Materials: Top Trump Cards

YOUR TASK is to produce a set of 5 cards, one for each SMART material.

Each card should show the following

• Properties• Examples of use• Reasons for use• Improvements on

traditional materials

SMART Materials:Shape Memory alloy

Properties:Bendable, it will return to its original shape if heated above a certain temperature Examples of use: Sprinklers in fire alarm systems, spectacle frames, coffee machines.

Reasons for Use: It’s easily shapen and keeps its shape

Improvements on traditional materials:Glasses had to be re-bended by hand but now you can use heat

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SMART Materials:Shape Memory

polymer

Properties: Will return to its original shape if heated above a certain temperature. A good insulator.Examples of use: Window sealing foam, sensors and robots

Reasons for use: Strong, low cost, can be triggered by temperature and light

Improvements on traditional materials: Can be tailored to a broad range of materials and temperatures.

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SMART Materials:Piezoelectric actuators

Properties: When electricity is applied to a Piezo Actuator it changes shape by an small but amount. They can be “stacked”Examples of use: Controlling hydraulic valves, adjusting machining tools and some motors Reasons for Use: Very small and precise movements, no motors or gears to go wrong.

Improvements on traditional materials: Easy to control pumps and valves. Very small & controlled movement unlike motors

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SMART Materials:Piezoelectric transducers

Properties: When under impact they create a small electrical current. When electricity is applied they move a small amount.Examples of use: Guitar hero drum sensors. Touch sensitive surfaces, engine sensors

Reasons for Use: Reliable and sensitive way of creating an electrical signal from movement or vice versa.Improvements on traditional materials: Small movement needed unlike switches. Simpler than a motor for small movements

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SMART Materials:Electrochromic

materials

Properties:Change colour when electricity is applied

Examples of use: Smart windows, electrochromic mirrors and electrochromic display devices

Reasons for Use: Privacy in office windows, automatic tiniting of windows depending on sunImprovements on traditional materials: Usually you have to choose the colour of a material and it can’t be changed easily

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Links to help:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/electronics/materialsrev5.shtml

http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=6038

http://www.mindsetsonline.co.uk/Catalogue/ProductDetail/shape-memory-polymer?productID=6ef6577e-aee2-4060-8136-8fe2b3876274&catalogueLevelItemID=4e3da675-119e-4854-b42e-a7c46e133508

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/electrochromic-windows.html

https://www.americanpiezo.com/piezo-theory/actuators.html

https://www.nde-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/Ultrasonics/EquipmentTrans/piezotransducers.htm

And Wikipedia of course but keep it simple.

Youtube if you must but DO THE WORK not just waste time gazing at videos!

Good Luck