(singular/plural) something that encourages activity or change

the characteristics of a material, such as appearance and features

the way in which a material responds to an external force or certain environment; also referred to as mechanical properties

Smart materials

Design and technology

New and emerging technologies

New and emerging technologies informing design decisions

Energy generation and storage

Energy and the impact on designs

Modern materials

Electronic systems

Programmable systems

Levers and linkages

Cams and pulleys

Gears

Material categories

In this unit pupils will develop core principles knowledge with an explicit focus on exam technique.

Core principles

Sort the physical/working properties and stimuli:

Match the smart material to the stimuli that it responds to:

Glasses (for vision) that are accidentally sat on, pop back to their original shape. Which smart material is this an example of?

colour changing bandages that show if a wound has become infected

Identify the products that use smart materials to improve their function:

Some nappies use a smart material to identify that the nappy needs changing.  Which smart material is this an example of?

This smart material uses bacteria that react with water to 'heal' itself by producing limestone to fill any micro cracks that appear. Which smart material is it?

Which of these might a smart material respond to?

What is an example of a product that might use a smart material?

These glasses have turned into sunglasses. Which stimulus have they responded to?

What happens when this spoon is placed in hot water?

Starter Quiz

Smart materials ...