Introduction To Smart Materials
Introduction To Smart Materials
Introduction To Smart Materials
Mechatronics Department
(1)
Smart Materials, an Introduction
---- MCT516 ----
MSc. Course – Smart Materials and Applications
First Semester
2018 - 2019
Lecturer: Dr. Furat Ibrahim Hussein Al-Najjar
Definition
҉ Smart materials are reactive designed materials that have one or more properties
that can be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli, such as:
stress,
temperature,
chemical,
moisture,
electric, or
magnetic fields.
҉ Some smart materials have the ability to change shape or size simply by adding an
external stimulate such as a little bit of heat, or to change from a liquid to a solid
almost constantly when near a magnet.
҉ The behavior of smart materials is reversible and consequently enables these materials
to fulfill the actuation and sensing in one components.
҉ The term ”smart materials” sometimes also called intelligent materials, responsive
materials or active materials describes a group of material systems with unique
properties having advanced properties compare to common materials.
҉ Smart materials are characterized by the existence of coupling between two or more
physical domains (mechanical, electrical, thermal, chemical, optical), in such a way that
modifications of the state variables related to a given domain lead to changes of the state
variables related to another domain.
҉ The term “smart structure” (smart device or smart system) is a structure that made of smart
materials. It incorporates actuators and sensors that are integrated into the structure and have
structural functionality, as well as integrated with a control logic, signal conditioning and
power amplification electronics.
҉ For example,
- a mechanically intelligent structure is capable of altering both mechanical states, namely. its
position or velocity, or its mechanical characteristic, in terms of its stiffness or damping.
- An optically intelligent structure could change colour to match its background. The truly
intelligent structural system learns and adapts its behaviour in response to the external
stimulation, which is provided by the environment in which it operates.
҉ However, there is a wide variety of less sophisticated smart materials and structures,
which exploit the basic sub-disciplines, which define three classes of smart materials. These
include materials with only sensing capabilities, those with only actuation capabilities, and
those with both sensing and actuation capabilities, at a primitive level that is relative to
notions of intelligence.
Smart Structures
The current generation of smart structures incorporate one or more of the following features:
- Sensors, which are either embedded within structural materials or else bonded to the surface
of that material. The sensing function can be performed by a smart material, which, for
example, measures the intensity of the stimulus that is associated with a stress, strain, and
electrical, thermal, radioactive, or chemical phenomenon.
- Actuators, which are embedded within a structural material or else Smart Structure
bonded to the surface of the material. These actuators are typically
excited by an external stimulus such as electricity in order to either
changes their geometrical configuration or else change their
stiffness and energy dissipation properties in a controlled manner.
- Control capabilities, which permit the behaviour of the
material to respond to an external stimulus, according to a
prescribed functional relationship or control algorithm.
These capabilities typically involve one or more
microprocessors and data transmission links, which are
based on the utilisation of an automatic control theory.
Why Smart Sensors and Actuators
- Discrete displacements,
- Very high accuracy,
- Very low response time.
Smart Actuators
Classification Based on Fundamental Properties
҉ Smart materials change an input energy into another form to produce an output energy
in accordance with the First Law of Thermodynamics.
҉ Although the energy conversion efficiency for smart materials such as photovoltaics
and thermoelectrics is typically much less than for more conventional technologies, the
potential utility of the energy is much greater. For example, the direct relationship between
input energy and output energy renders many of the energy-exchanging smart materials,
including piezoelectric, pyroelectrics, and photovoltaics and excellent environmental
sensors.
Classification Based on Fundamental Properties
҉ Regardless of the class of smart materials, one of the most fundamental characteristics
that differentiate them from traditional materials is the discrete size and direct action of
the material.
҉ A component or element composed of a smart material can be much smaller than a
similar construction using more traditional materials and will also require less
infrastructural support. The smaller size coupled with the directness of the property
change and energy exchange renders these materials to be particularly effective as sensors.
They are less likely to interfere with environment that they are measuring and are less
likely to require calibration adjustment.
Fundamental Characteristics
҉ The most exclusive properties
of smart materials and
technologies including molecule,
matter, composition, or system
are the following:
1. Immediacy: it means that their response is immediate (synchronous with the stimulus effect).
3. Self-actuation: it means that intelligence is inside these materials not outside of them.
(i.e. they don't need a computer program and complex controller and actuator systems).
5. Directness: it means that the given response and the incurred stimulation are in the same
place.
Smart Materials Groups
Smart materials can be divided into two groups that is characterized by the type of
response that these materials generate upon application of a stimulus.
Group 1 Group 2
Materials respond with a change in shape Materials that respond with a change in a key
and/or in the length: material property, for example, electrical
The input is always transformed into conductivity or viscosity.
strain, which can be used to introduce
motion or dynamics into a system. While they are equally important from a
These materials are the most widely used scientific point of view, they are less
group for the design of smart structures, frequently integrated into mechanical
where active materials are integrated into structures, but are rather used to design
a mechanical host structure complex modules, for example, clutches,
Devices based on materials that respond fasteners, valves or various switches.
with a change in length are often referred Frequently, these materials are used as
to as actuators or solid state actuators, sensors.
Advantages and Disadvantages
A material that generates electricity when pressed. This electricity can be recognised
by a circuit, which then responds by lighting up or sending a signal to someone else.
Shape Memory Materials (SMM)
Shape memory alloys (SMAs) and shape memory polymers are thermoresponsive
materials, when subjected to a thermal field, this material will undergo phase
transformations which will produce shape changes.
Smart Springs
҉ Fluids can experience a dramatic change in their viscosity. These fluids can change
from a thick fluid (similar to motor oil) to nearly a solid substance within the span of a
millisecond when exposed to a magnetic or electric field; The effect can be completely
reversed just as quickly when field removed.
1) Active Smart Materials:- Possess the capability of modifying their geometric and
material properties under the application of electric, thermal or magnetic fields, thereby
acquiring an inherent capacity to transduce energy
Examples : Piezo-electric materials, Magneto-stictive materials, SMAs, ER fluids
Can be used as force transducers and actuator
҉ A material that becomes flexible when heated and turns back into plastic when
cooled.
҉ It is very useful when wanting to make a quick shape of an idea. It can also be
painted when cooled.
Photochromic Material
҉ Possible Applications:
energy-efficient windows that switch from transparent to opaque
spontaneously upon exposure to increasing levels of sunlight
Phosphorescent Sheet
҉ It is a sheet that absorbs light energy and re-emits it as white light up to eight hours.
Used extensively for emergency lighting in the event of a power cut.