04 SMART/MODERN MATERIALSGRAPHICS GCSE REVISION

What is the environmental message of each bag? How does this help?

KEY TERMSSMART MATERIAL: a material that responds to a stimulus like heat or light, and then returns to its original state when the stimulus is removed.

USP: Unique Selling Point

SMART MATERIAL-They are special materials as they often behave in unique ways to give some very clever effects. These effects can help the function and aesthetics of a product and can help to give it a unique selling point (USP).

THERMOCHROMIC change colour depending on

.

PHOTOCHROMIC change colour in response to light, for example in light-sensitive sunglasses.

ELECTROCHROMIC change colour depending on the amount of electricity applied, for example in LCDs on clocks.

HYDROCHROMIC materials change colour depending on the amount of water applied, for example in moisture testers for plant pots.

PHOSPHORESCENT absorb light energy during the day and then they are able to give this energy off at night, for example in watches that glow in the dark.

How could you involve this material in your project?

THERMOCHROMIC-THERMOCHROMIC inks are the most common smart material used for graphics because they can be used in many different ways to either attract or warn the consumer. They are also easy to print on different surfaces such as paper, plastic, ceramics or textiles.

Probably the most common use of thermochromic inks is in the thermometers we can put on our foreheads to tell whether we have a raised temperature. Thermochromic ink in a thermometer changes colour according to the temperature of the patient, and then goes back to its original black

thermometer react to the temperature of the body and glow specific colours, making it very easy and safe to use.

EXAMPLETHERMOMETER: This is used to detect the temperature of a person. What are the advantages of this material or other potential uses?

PHOTOCHROMIC-PHOTOCHROMIC inks change colour depending on the amount of light hitting the surface.

The most common use of this is in light sensitive glasses such as sunglasses

EXAMPLESPHOTO Means light CHROMIC means colour

How could you involve this material in your project?

ELECTRO-CHROMIC-ELECTROCHROMIC inks change colour according to varying electrical inputs. The input can be incredibly small but the change in colour can be very dramatic.

A common use is in car rear-view mirror that darken when the ink detects a bright light, therefore reducing glare.

How could you involve this material in your project?

HYDROCHROMIC-HYDROCHROMIC inks change colour according to the amount of water they detect. These inks are quite accurate and a good use for them is in detectors for pot plants that tell you when to water the plant. An example is the duck thermometer,

hot.

Hydra was the Greek water Serpent like monster

How could you involve this material in your project?

PHOSPHORESCENT-Phosphorescent inks are able to absorb light during the day and then glow at night. If you look at a fire exit sign in a dark room you will see it glow. Many watches have this effect so that you can see them in the dark.

How could you involve this material in your project?

SMART PRODUCTSHow could you involve this material in your project?

MODERN MATERIALS-Alternatives to thermoplastics. Technology from the last 50 years:

CORNSTARCH POLYMERS

PAPERFOAM

LYOCELL

POLYMORPHS

PMC

NANO TECHNOLOGY

CORNSTARCH POLYMERS-These can now be used to replace some oil based thermoplastics. They are made from crops such as potatoes, corn and maize.

They are biodegradable and although not as versatile as thermoplastics they are useful for food packaging. Polythene film can be used by farmers to cover crops and this can then be ploughed back in to the soil. It is very eco-friendly.

How could you involve this material in your project?

PAPERFOAM-Another alternative to thermoplastic. Very useful for packaging. It is made from starch based polymers and simple paper fibres.

SCRATCH RESISTANT and can be moulded to form inserts to protect and keep products in place.

FULLY BIODEGRADABLE and can be coloured with vegetable dyes.

LIGHTER than thermoplastics.

Widely used for CD and DVD packaging and mobile phone packaging.

How could you involve this material in your project?

LYOCELL-Lyocell is a high strength paper fibre produced from wood pulp and is totally biodegradable within 8 days if placed in damp conditions.

It is used to make tea bags coffee filters and strong envelopes.

How could you involve this material in your project?

POLYMORPH-This is a special plastic, often used for modelling in technology. It stays hard and white but can be softened with heat.

Once softened it can easily moulded, just like plasticine. It can be machined once it goes hard again.

Complex ergonomic shapes can be produced for products such as torches and games consoles.

How could you involve this material in your project?

PMC-Precious metal clays are made of 99.9% metal, normally gold or silver, and 0.1% clay. They can be moulded at room temperature and then heated until the metal melts.

They are very expensive and used by jewellery designers

How could you involve this material in your project?

NANO TECHNOLOGY-Nano Technology is a method of changing the atomic structure of materials in order to make them better.

Nano Technology can make materials:

LIGHTER

STRONGER

MORE PRECISE

LINK EXAMPLES

How could you involve this material in your project?