Product Design - Smart Materials

Materials that change their physical property in response to a input.

Thermochromic; a material that changes colour in response to a change in temperature.

Photochromic; a material that changes colour/shade depending on the level of light in the environment.

Phosphorentscent; a material that absorbs light and then readmits it. (glow in the dark).

Shape memory alloy; "Nitonol". Wire that can be bent into shape but will always return to it's original shape with heat.

Polymorf; When moulded gently is soft, but when handled with force is hard.

Uses of thermochromic pigment; Injected into plastics/clothing. Baby spoon, baby clothing.

Uses of shape memory alloy; glasses frames, braces.

uses of Thermochromic sheet; thermal warning patches.

Uses of Polymorf; grips, modeling.

Uses of photochromic; transition sunglasses, sun blocking windscreens.

Uses of phosphorescent; watch hands.

Changes colour with temperature.

• Thermometer;
• Much safer to use for the user than mercury.
• Can be used to indicate temperature ranges on the thermometer, eg. cold for low red for high.