Smart and advanced materials

Start with the mind maps

The page has a small collection of mind maps, flashcards and a quiz made by GoConqr users. For an introduction, start with the map titled Smart materials that describes materials whose properties change when their environment changes. Another map with the same title covers shape memory alloys, including their programmed shape and examples such as spectacle frames and car bodies.

Next, open Modern Materials for treated papers and thermochromatic pigment. The Graphene map lists properties and possible uses, including conductivity, fire resistance and lightning strike protection.

Use flashcards to practice

After exploring the maps, use Modern and smart materials to work through questions about piezoelectric crystals and thermochromic liquid crystals. The High Performance Materials flashcards cover titanium, super alloys and products made from ceramics and super alloys. A deck titled smart materials lists further examples, including conductive polymer, carbon fiber and reinforced concrete.

Compare a flashcard question with the related map, then return to the card and try explaining the idea in your own words. The maps and cards offer different ways to study the examples on this page.

Check your understanding

The futuristic materials quiz asks about uses of superhydrophobic materials and metallic foam, as well as questions about hyperdiamonds and aluminum oxynitride. Try it after looking through the maps and cards. Its questions cover examples beyond those in the resources suggested above, so use it to see which material names and uses you want to explore further.

Place the topic in the unit

Smart and advanced materials is a section of Materials: Classification and Uses in Engineering and technology (general or other). The maps and flashcards give you examples to consider alongside that unit's focus on materials. Choose a resource and use it to build your own set of study notes.