Super materials

Super materials

1. MR fluid

   • Density, 3-4 g/cm3. Reaction time, few milliseconds. Work temperature, -50 do 150 ºC. Yield point, 50-100 kPa
     • Linear MR dampers for real-time active vibrational control systems in heavy duty trucks. Linear and rotary brakes for low-cost, accurate, positional and velocity control of pneumatic actuator systems. Rotary brakes to provide tactile force-feedback in steer-by- wire systems.

2. Shape memory materials

   • They can be programmed to remember their original shape, strong, lightweight alloys, plastically deformed
     • They are used as wires and tubes in applications with hot fluids flowing through them. Used in bridge structures. Retrofitting buildings that are not designed considering seismic conditions. Used as actuators because of their ability to change shapes and have potential applications in aircraft and space vehicles because they are lighter and can help save energy

3. Gecko tape

   • Directional, attaches strongly with minimal preload, detaches quickly and easy, self-adhere, does not stay dirty or
     • Increased mobility for humans in construction, inspection, and military situations. New adhesive that can cling onto any surface yet can be removed without any residue. Attractive force proportional to the amount of weight it carries, allowing for more stability in adhesive loads.

4. Self-healing polymers

   • Ability to transform physical energy into a chemical and/or physical response to heal the damage. Response to external stimulus to recover the initial material properties.
     • Produce asphalt, for pieces of airplanes, cellphones (flexible ones)

5. Electricity conducting ink

   • Good abrasion and chemical resistance. Not easily scratched or wiped off by solvent. Good adhesion to the substrate, commonly a copper substrate, when cured.
     • Printing RFID tags as used in modern transit tickets, they can be used to improvise or repair circuits on printed circuit boards.

6. Graphene

   • Zero-overlap semimetal. High electrical conductivity. Electron mobility
     • Anti-corrosion coatings and paints, efficient and precise sensors, faster and efficient electronics, flexible displays, efficient solar panels, faster DNA sequencing, drug delivery.

7. Aerogels

   • Transparent, high temperature, lightweight, best insulating solid
     • Architectural and appliance insulation, portable coolers, transport vehicles, pipes, cryogenic, skylights. Space vehicles and probes, casting molds.

8. Shrilk

   • Wound healing, films, and scaffolds for surgical closure. Used to manufacture objects without the environmental damage caused by conventional synthetic plastics
     • Strength and toughness to an aluminum alloy, but it is only half the weight. It is biodegradable and can be produced at a very low cost, since chitin is readily available as a shrimp waste product. It is also easily molded into complex shapes, such as tubes.