Introduction
Advanced materials engineering has recently emerged as one of the most important specializations. Especially, smart materials engineering. They are materials designed to adapt to changes in the surrounding environment in several ways. For example, there are materials that are able to repair themselves when cracks occur. There are also some materials that can adjust their colors when temperature goes high. There are many advanced materials that have contributed to improving the efficiency of many industrial sectors.
The most efficient advantages of advanced materials are the ability to sense and respond. Advanced materials include a wide range of applications in various industries and fields. Such as engineering, electronics, and medicine. In this article, we will learn about smart materials and their important applications.
Classification of smart materials
Engineers classify smart materials based on several criteria. The first criterion is responsiveness, where there are heat-sensitive materials, moisture-sensitive materials and light-sensitive materials. First, heat-sensitive materials respond to thermal changes as they are able to change their properties. For example, materials that change their shape and color. Second, moisture-sensitive materials can change their properties depending on relative humidity changes in the surrounding environment. Third, light-sensitive materials can change their color when exposed to light, such as photochromic materials.
The second classification criterion is the composition criterion. There are smart polymers that have exceptional response properties. They are long-chain organic materials. Second, crystalline liquids, which are materials that have properties intermediate between crystals and liquids. They can be used in display screens. Third, composite materials, which are composed of two or more materials. The smart material gives new properties to the composite material.
Properties of Smart Materials
Advanced smart materials have many advantages. They have several aspects that distinguish them from traditional materials. First, shape memory. These materials are characterized by the ability to return to their original shape when exposed to heat, for example. The second advantage is self-operation, as they have the ability to control their nature to respond to changes in the environment around them. Then we have self-sensing, such as the ability to detect changes and send warning signals. Finally, self-diagnosis, as they can detect faults in themselves and repair them.
Methods of manufacturing smart materials
There are many technologies that contribute to the manufacture of advanced materials, including physical manufacturing. It contributes to giving materials smart properties by changing their physical properties such as shape and size. Second, chemical manufacturing, which contributes to modifying the structure of materials. Finally, nanomanufacturing. It contributes to the manufacture of materials at the nanoscale.
Applications of smart materials
Applications of advanced materials include various fields such as engineering. For example, they are used in the manufacture of cars to give them greater flexibility. They also contribute to the construction of smart buildings, as they allow buildings to respond to weather changes. Another field that uses smart materials is medicine. One of their most important applications in medicine is the manufacture of prosthetic limbs that respond to nerve signals. Next, smart materials are used in space applications such as the manufacture of satellites to protect them from changes in temperature. Finally, electronics. They are used in the manufacture of 3D glasses, wearable devices and display screens.
Future Challenges
Smart materials have witnessed big progress. However, there are some challenges to address. First, cost of producing smart materials is high compared to traditional materials. Next, engineers should develop environmentally friendly manufacturing methods. Also, quality of theses materials is a critical factor. Engineers should stick to precise standards to ensure the quality.
Conclusion
Advanced materials engineering is still in the research and development phase. Smart materials engineering is one of the most important developments in advanced materials engineering. Engineers continue to research and experiment to find innovative and unique applications for these materials. However, there are some challenges that cannot be avoided. Finally, developers should set appropriate solutions to solve these challenges to ensure effective and safe advanced materials.
INTERNATIONAL ENGINEERING ORGANIZATION (IEO)