What are smart and modern materials, and how do their special properties create new product possibilities?
Smart and modern materials: smart materials that respond to their environment (shape memory alloys, thermochromic and photochromic pigments) and modern materials developed by science (graphene, titanium, metal foams, nanomaterials), their properties and uses.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE Design and Technology (C600) on smart and modern materials: shape memory alloys, thermochromic and photochromic pigments, graphene, titanium, metal foams and nanomaterials, their properties and uses.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas C600 expects you to know smart and modern materials. Smart materials respond to their environment (shape memory alloys, thermochromic and photochromic pigments); modern materials are developed by science (graphene, titanium, metal foams, nanomaterials). You need their properties and uses. In the written exam this is tested by defining a smart material and describing a shape memory alloy, and by linking modern-material properties to uses.
Smart materials
- Shape memory alloy (SMA, e.g. Nitinol): bent or deformed when cool, it returns to its original shape when heated. Used in spectacle frames (spring back after bending), actuators and medical stents.
- Thermochromic pigment: changes colour with temperature. Used in mood spoons, battery testers, novelty mugs and forehead thermometers.
- Photochromic pigment: changes colour with light. Used in sunglasses and lenses that darken in bright sunlight and clear indoors.
Modern materials
- Graphene: a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon that is extremely strong, light and an excellent conductor of electricity and heat; used in flexible electronics, sensors and to reinforce composites.
- Titanium: strong, light and corrosion-resistant; used in aerospace, high-performance bikes and medical implants (it is biocompatible).
- Metal foams: metals with a cellular (foam) structure, giving a high strength-to-weight ratio and good impact absorption; used in lightweight structural and safety parts.
- Nanomaterials: materials engineered at the nanoscale, giving properties such as antibacterial action, UV protection or extra strength; used in coatings, sunscreens and textiles.
Try this
Q1. State what property of a photochromic material changes, and in response to what. [1 mark]
- Cue. Its colour changes in response to light (it darkens in bright light).
Q2. Give one property of titanium that makes it suitable for a medical implant. [1 mark]
- Cue. It is strong, light, corrosion-resistant and biocompatible (the body tolerates it).
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas C600 20193 marksExplain what a smart material is, and describe how a shape memory alloy behaves.Show worked answer →
A 3-mark question: marks for defining a smart material and for describing the shape memory alloy.
A smart material is one whose properties change in response to a change in its environment (such as temperature, light or stress), and the change is reversible.
A shape memory alloy (SMA), such as Nitinol, can be bent or deformed when cool, but when it is heated it returns to its original, remembered shape. This lets it act like a temperature-driven actuator, for example springing a part open when warmed, or in spectacle frames that return to shape after bending.
Markers reward: a smart material responds reversibly to its environment, and an SMA returns to a remembered shape when heated after being deformed. Saying the change is permanent, or confusing SMA with a thermochromic colour change, loses marks.
Eduqas C600 20224 marksExplain two properties of graphene and a use that each property makes possible.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark Explain wants two properties of graphene each tied to a use.
Property 1, extremely strong and light. Graphene is one of the strongest materials known yet incredibly thin and light, so it can reinforce composites for very strong, lightweight sports equipment or aerospace parts.
Property 2, excellent electrical conductivity. Graphene conducts electricity extremely well, so it can be used in flexible electronics, touchscreens, sensors and faster electronic components.
Other valid properties: excellent thermal conductivity (heat spreaders), and being effectively a one-atom-thick sheet. Markers reward two genuine properties each linked to a use (strength and light for reinforcement; conductivity for electronics). Two bare property words with no use cap the mark.
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Sources & how we know this
- WJEC Eduqas GCSE (9-1) Design and Technology (C600) specification — WJEC Eduqas (2017)