What are existing or modern materials with physical properties that can be varied (changed) by an external input, such as temperature, light, moisture, force or electrical current.

• Smart materials

• Composite materials

• Modern materials

What do not occur naturally, but are existing materials that have been altered to improve their properties.

• Smart materials

• Composite materials

• Modern materials

What consists of a reinforcing (strengthening) materials and a bonding agent (something that sticks it together) called the matrix.

• Smart materials

• Composite materials

• Modern materials

Shape-memory alloys...

• Can be plastically deformed, and returned to original shape with heat

• Can be plastically deformed, and returned to original shape with a current

• Contains pigments that allow small currents to flow through

• Generates a small electric charge when compressed

• Uses electrochromatic technology to change transparent to opaque

Reactive glass...

• Can be plastically deformed, and returned to original shape with heat

• Can be plastically deformed, and returned to original shape with a current

• Contains pigments that allow small currents to flow through

• Generates a small electric charge when compressed

• Uses electrochromatic technology to change transparent to opaque

Conductive inks...

• Can be plastically deformed, and returned to original shape with heat

• Can be plastically deformed, and returned to original shape with a current

• Contains pigments that allow small currents to flow through

• Generates a small electric charge when compressed

• Uses electrochromatic technology to change transparent to opaque

Piezoelectric materials...

• Can be plastically deformed, and returned to original shape with heat

• Can be plastically deformed, and returned to original shape with a current

• Contains pigments that allow small currents to flow through

• Generates a small electric charge when compressed

• Uses electrochromatic technology to change transparent to opaque

Phenolic resins combined with cotton fabrics

• Concrete

• Plywood

• Robotic materials

• Reinforced polymers

• Fibre/Carbon/Glass

Loose of woven fibres from a flexible fabric, built up in layers with polyester resin.

• Concrete

• Plywood

• Robotic materials

• Reinforced polymers

• Fibre/Carbon/Glass

Layers of veneers bonded with glue to produce a flat sheet

• Concrete

• Plywood

• Robotic materials

• Reinforced polymers

• Fibre/Carbon/Glass