Developments in New Materials

What are 'smart' materials? Fill in the blank: Smart materials are materials that ______ to changes in their environment.

• react

• ignore

• break

• melt

Which of the following is NOT an example of a 'smart' material?

• Thermochromic pigment

• Shape memory alloy

• Metal foams

• Photochromic pigment

Fill in the blank: Thermochromic pigments change ______ when they are heated or cooled.

• colour

• shape

• size

• weight

What is a 'composite' material? Fill in the blank: Composite materials are made from ______ or more different materials combined together.

• two

• one

• ten

• hundred

Match the following 'composite' materials to their uses:

• Boat hulls

• Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP)

• Building foundations

• Steel reinforced concrete

• Racing cars

• Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CRP)

'Technical' textiles are made to be functional. Which of the following is an example of a 'technical' textile?

• Kevlar

• Silk

• Cotton

• Wool

Fill in the blank: Microencapsulation is used in 'technical' textiles to give fabrics special properties, such as ______ or fragrance-releasing.

• antibacterial

• electronics

• colour changing

• conductivity

'Modern' materials are developed through newer processes/technologies with a specific application in mind. Which of the following is a corrosion resistant 'modern' material that also has a high strength-to-weight ratio?

• Metal foam made using steel

• Titanium

• Shape memory alloy

• Carbonfibre reinforced plastic

Fill in the blank: Graphene is a form of ______ that is one atom thick and has remarkable strength and electrical conductivity. It is classed as a 'modern' material.

• carbon

• silicon

• plastic

• aluminum

Nanomaterials are 'modern' materials made with tiny particles that are able to be manipulated for specific purposes such as self-cleaning coatings activated by light, and carbon nanotubes. Which these is not a property of carbon nanotubes?

• Elasticity

• High strength to weight ratio

• Good heat conductor

• Good electricity conductor