Unit R014 - Engineering Manufacture - Topic Area 2 - Retrieval F

Smart Materials

Smart materials are designed or manufactured materials that have one or more properties or features that will change when exposed to an external stimuli.

• False

• True

Smart Materials

The typical stimuli that alter smart materials are

• Light

• Electricity

• Temperature

• Water (moisture)

• Stress (such as force or pressure)

Smart Materials

Name the smart material being used here.

• Shape Memory Alloy

• Hydrochromic

• Thermochromic

• Photochromic

Smart Materials

Name the smart material used here.

• QTC

• Photochromic

• Shape Memory Alloy

• Theromchromic

Smart Materials

The image shows a stent that has been inserted into somebody's artery. This stent is made from a smart material. Which one?

• Shape Memory Alloy

• Thermochromic

• Photochromic

• QTC

Answer explanation

These shape memory stents are a nickel/titanium alloy.

The stent is first of all cold crushed to allow it to easily slide into the vein or artery.

The body temperature of the individual will then cause the stent to expand and return to its original wider size thus causing the blood vessel to stretch and open significantly reducing the risk of clots and heart attacks.

Smart Materials

This image shows a very basic visualisation of a smart material in use. Which one?

• Quantum Tunneling Composite

• Photochromic

• Shape Memory Alloys

• ThermoChromic

Smart Materials

QTC is the abbreviation for ​ (a)   . QTC is a smart material that is ​ (b)   based, basically it is in rubber form. In its original state the ​ (c)   particles do not touch and therefore the material is an insulator. Once pressure is applied the particles come into contact and the material becomes a ​ (d)  

• Quantum Tunneling Composite
• elastomer
• metal
• conductor.
• questionable tunneling compound
• photochromic
• thermoplastic
• insulator

Smart Materials

Select the product most likely to use QTC in its construction and design.

• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer explanation

A pressure mat will use QTC. It will ensure that the machine can only be operated whilst the user is stood on the mat thus bringing the particles into contact and allowing current to flow to the controls and motor of the machine.