Examples of smart materials and possible applications to improve your design.
Spinning Hat love keeping upto date with the latest technologies and materials. Below is a short list of smart materials that could be utilised in a whole variety of applications. Let your mind wonder!
Piezo electric
Piezoelectric materials have two unique properties which are interrelated. When a piezoelectric material is deformed, it gives off a small but measurable electrical discharge. Alternately, when an electrical current is passed through a piezoelectric material it experiences a significant increase in size (up to a 4% change in volume).
This
Corky mouse concept uses piezoelectric elements to produce green energy. the eco-friendly mouse makes use of piezoelectric elements to generate energy with minimum fuss. You need not to put extra efforts, as the mouse produces energy as soon as you click or move it around on the mouse pad or workstation.
Thermochromic inks
Thermochromism is the ability of substance to change color due to a change in temperature.
Spinning Hat utilise this in their
CO2 MUG. As the mug warms up you will see which countries are the worst offenders for producing CO2.
Shape Memory Alloys
A
shape memory alloy is an alloy that "remembers" its original, cold-forged shape: returning the pre-deformed shape by heating. This material is a lightweight, solid-state alternative to conventional actuators such as hydraulic, pneumatic, and motor-based systems.
The
V/a.g.r.a. is an "animated lamp" designed by Romolo Stanco that uses shape-memory alloy to change its shape whenever it's turned on and off. Although I can't figure out why it's called V/a.g.r.a. It sounds like something I'd find in my spam folder.
Tom Kelly-Lord
Spinning Hat
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