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Smart Materials
Smart materials, also called intelligent or responsive materials, are designed materials that have one or more properties that can be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli, such as stress, moisture, electric or magnetic fields, light, temperature, pH, or chemical compounds. Smart materials are the basis of many applications, including sensors and actuators, or artificial muscles, particularly as electroactive polymers (EAPs). Types There are a number of types of smart material, of which are already common. Some examples are as following: * Piezoelectric materials are materials that produce a voltage when stress is applied. Since this effect also applies in a reverse manner, a voltage across the sample will produce stress within sample. Suitably designed structures made from these materials can, therefore, be made that bend, expand or contract when a voltage is applied. * Shape-memory alloys and shape-memory polymers are materials in which large ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stress (physics)
In continuum mechanics, stress is a physical quantity that describes Force, forces present during Deformation (physics), deformation. For example, an object being pulled apart, such as a stretched elastic band, is subject to Tension (physics), ''tensile'' stress and may undergo Elongation (materials science), elongation. An object being pushed together, such as a crumpled sponge, is subject to Compression (physics), ''compressive'' stress and may undergo shortening. The greater the force and the smaller the cross-sectional area of the body on which it acts, the greater the stress. Stress has Dimension (physics), dimension of force per area, with SI Units, SI units of newtons per square meter (N/m2) or Pascal (unit), pascal (Pa). Stress expresses the internal forces that neighbouring particles of a continuous material exert on each other, while Strain (mechanics), ''strain'' is the measure of the relative deformation (mechanics), deformation of the material. For example, when a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Smart Inorganic Polymers
Smart inorganic polymers (SIPs) are hybrid or fully inorganic polymers with tunable (Smart polymer, smart) properties such as stimuli responsive physical properties (shape, conductivity, rheology, bioactivity, self-repair, sensing etc.). While organic polymers are often petrol-based, the backbones of SIPs are made from elements other than carbon which can lessen the burden on scarce non-renewable resources and provide more sustainable alternatives. Common backbones utilized in SIPs include Silicone, polysiloxanes, polyphosphates, and polyphosphazenes, to name a few. SIPs have the potential for broad applicability in diverse fields spanning from drug delivery and tissue regeneration to coatings and electronics. As compared to organic polymers, inorganic polymers in general possess improved performance and environmental compatibility (no need for plasticizers, intrinsically flame-retardant properties). The unique properties of different SIPs can additionally make them useful in a di ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polycaprolactone
Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a synthetic, semi-crystalline, biodegradable polyester with a melting point of about 60 °C and a glass transition temperature of about −60 °C. The most common use of polycaprolactone is in the production of speciality polyurethanes. Polycaprolactones impart good resistance to water, oil, solvent and chlorine to the polyurethane produced. This polymer is often used as an additive for resins to improve their processing characteristics and their end use properties (e.g., toughness, impact resistance). Being compatible with a range of other materials, PCL can be mixed with starch to lower its cost and increase biodegradation, biodegradability or it can be added as a polymeric plasticizer to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Polycaprolactone is also used for splinting, modeling, and as a feedstock for prototyping systems such as fused filament fabrication 3D printers. Synthesis PCL is prepared by Ring-opening polymerization, ring opening polymerizat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Photomechanical Effect
Photomechanical effect is the change in the shape of a material when it is exposed to light. This effect was first documented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1880. Kenji Uchino demonstrated that a photostrictive material could be used for legs in the construction of a miniature optically-powered "walker". The most common mechanism of photomechanical effect is light-induced heating. Photomechanical materials may be considered smart materials due to their natural change implemented by external factors. See also * Smart materials Smart materials, also called intelligent or responsive materials, are designed materials that have one or more properties that can be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli, such as stress, moisture, electric or magnet ... References External links The Nonlinear Optics Web Site Mechanics Materials science {{materials-sci-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ferrofluid
Ferrofluid is a dark liquid that is attracted to the poles of a magnet. It is a colloidal liquid made of nanoscale ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic particles suspended inside a carrier fluid (usually an organic solvent or water). Each magnetic particle is thoroughly coated with a surfactant to inhibit clumping. Large ferromagnetic particles can be ripped out of the homogeneous colloidal mixture, forming a separate clump of magnetic dust when exposed to strong magnetic fields. The magnetic attraction of tiny nanoparticles is weak enough that the surfactant's Van der Waals force is sufficient to prevent magnetic clumping or agglomeration. Ferrofluids usually do not retain magnetization in the absence of an externally applied field and thus are often classified as " superparamagnets" rather than ferromagnets. In contrast to ferrofluids, magnetorheological fluids (MR fluids) are magnetic fluids with larger particles. That is, a ferrofluid contains primarily nanoparticles, while ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sunglasses
Sunglasses or sun glasses (informally called shades or sunnies; more names Sunglasses#Other names, below) are a form of Eye protection, protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent bright sunlight and high-energy visible light from damaging or discomforting the eyes. They can sometimes also function as a visual aid, as variously termed spectacles or glasses exist, featuring lenses that are colored, polarizer, polarized or darkened. In the early 20th century, they were also known as sun cheaters (cheaters then being an United States, American slang term for glasses). Since the 1930s, sunglasses have been a popular fashion accessory, especially on the beach. The American Optometric Association recommends wearing sunglasses that block ultraviolet radiation (UV) whenever a person is in the sunlight to protect the eyes from UV and blue light, which can cause several #Protection, serious eye problems. Their usage is mandatory immediately after some surgical procedures, such as L ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Photochromic
Photochromism is the reversible change of color upon exposure to light. It is a transformation of a chemical species (photoswitch) between two forms through the absorption of electromagnetic radiation (photoisomerization), where each form has a different absorption spectrum. This reversible structural or geometric change in photochromic molecules affects their electronic configuration, molecular strain energy, and other properties. History In 1867, Carl Julius Fritzsche reported the concept of photochromism, indicating that orange tetracene solution lost its color in daylight but regained it in darkness. Later, similar behavior was observed by both Edmund ter Meer and Phipson. Ter Meer documented the color change of the potassium salt of dinitroethane, which appeared red in daylight and yellow in the dark. Phipson also recorded that a painted gatepost appeared black during the day and white at night due to a zinc pigment, likely lithopone. In 1899, Willy Marckwald, Willy Markwald, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thermochromic
Thermochromism is the property of Chemical substance, substances to change color due to a change in temperature. A mood ring is an example of this property used in a consumer product although thermochromism also has more practical uses, such as baby bottles, which change to a different color when cool enough to drink, or kettles which change color when water is at or near boiling point. Thermochromism is one of several types of chromism. Organic materials Thermochromatic liquid crystals The two common approaches are based on liquid crystals and leuco dyes. Liquid crystals are used in precision applications, as their responses can be engineered to accurate temperatures, but their color range is limited by their principle of operation. Leuco dyes allow wider range of colors to be used, but their response temperatures are more difficult to set with accuracy. Some liquid crystals are capable of displaying different colors at different temperatures. This change is dependent on sele ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Liquid Crystal Display
A liquid-crystal display (LCD) is a flat-panel display or other Electro-optic modulator, electronically modulated optical device that uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals combined with polarizers to display information. Liquid crystals do not emit light directly but instead use a backlight or Reflector (photography), reflector to produce images in color or Monochrome monitor, monochrome. LCDs are available to display arbitrary images (as in a general-purpose computer display) or fixed images with low information content, which can be displayed or hidden: preset words, digits, and seven-segment displays (as in a digital clock) are all examples of devices with these displays. They use the same basic technology, except that arbitrary images are made from a matrix of small pixels, while other displays have larger elements. LCDs are used in a wide range of applications, including LCD televisions, computer monitors, Dashboard, instrument panels, flight instrument ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Electrochromic
Electrochromism is a phenomenon in which a material displays changes in color or opacity in response to an electrical stimulus. In this way, a smart window made of an electrochromic material can block specific wavelengths of ultraviolet, visible or (near) infrared light. The ability to control the transmittance of near-infrared light can increase the energy efficiency of a building, reducing the amount of energy needed to cool during summer and heat during winter. As the color change is persistent and energy needs only to be applied to effect a change, electrochromic materials are used to control the amount of light and heat allowed to pass through a surface, most commonly "smart windows". One popular application is in the automobile industry where it is used to automatically tint rear-view mirrors in various lighting conditions. Principle The phenomenon of electrochromism occurs in some transition metal oxides which conduct both electrons and ions, such as tungsten trioxid ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chromism
In chemistry, chromism is a process that induces a change, often reversible, in the colors of compounds. In most cases, chromism is based on a change in the electron states of molecules, especially the π- or d-electron state, so this phenomenon is induced by various external stimuli which can alter the electron density of substances. It is known that there are many natural compounds that have chromism, and many artificial compounds with specific chromism have been synthesized to date. It is usually synonymous with chromotropism, the (reversible) change in color of a substance due to the physical and chemical properties of its ambient surrounding medium, such as temperature and pressure, light, solvent, and presence of ions and electrons. Chromism is classified by what kind of stimuli are used. Examples of the major kinds of chromism are as follows. * thermochromism is chromism that is induced by heat, that is, a change of temperature. This is the most common chromism of all. * ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Corrosion
Corrosion is a natural process that converts a refined metal into a more chemically stable oxide. It is the gradual deterioration of materials (usually a metal) by chemical or electrochemical reaction with their environment. Corrosion engineering is the field dedicated to controlling and preventing corrosion. In the most common use of the word, this means electrochemical oxidation of metal in reaction with an oxidant such as oxygen, hydrogen, or hydroxide. Rusting, the formation of red-orange iron oxides, is a well-known example of electrochemical corrosion. This type of corrosion typically produces oxides or salts of the original metal and results in a distinctive coloration. Corrosion can also occur in materials other than metals, such as ceramics or polymers, although in this context, the term "degradation" is more common. Corrosion degrades the useful properties of materials and structures including mechanical strength, appearance, and permeability to liquids and ga ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
