Modern and Smart Materials Smart materials react to

Modern and Smart Materials

Smart materials react to their environment - They change their properties in response to heat, light and pressure - They then return to their original state when heat, light or pressure is taken away

• Thermochromic Materials - These change colour with heat - They go back to their original colour when they cool down Thermochromic paints – • Used to create images that change Thermochromic inks – • Used for warning patches • Tell you if something is too hot

• Precious metal clay - contains particles of metal (often silver)in a binding material - used to make jewellery - easy to work with; you can cut, roll and shape it - when heated the binder burns away and the metal fuses together to create a solid metal object. - Can be soldered and polished

Some modern materials are good for the environment: • Corn starch polymers • Potatopak - These material are all made from plants - They are renewable materials - They are Biodegradable - They are more sustainable alternative to plastics - Saves finite resources like oil and create less land fill waste.

• Corn Starch Polymers - Made from maize (sweetcorn) - Can be made clear, flexible - Used to make sandwich packaging, disposable cups and also compostable bags

• Potatopak - Made of dried potatoes that is baked inside moulds - Fairly rigid and lightweight - Good for making plates, trays and packaging for food