Other Materials (Junior Cert Applied Technology): Revision Notes

Smart and Innovative Materials

Definitions

• Smart Materials: These change when exposed to things like heat or light. They include materials like shape memory alloys and piezoelectric materials.
• Innovative Materials: These are different from everyday materials like metal or plastic. Examples are graphene and biodegradable plastics, made using new methods.

Role of Smart Materials

• Sensors and Actuators: Smart materials have parts that react to changes. They matter in making cars safer and aeroplanes more efficient.
  infoNote

  Smart materials are essential for advancing safety and efficiency across various sectors.

• Smart Cities: In smart cities, these materials help save energy by controlling building light and heat.
  infoNote

  Smart materials contribute significantly to energy savings in urban environments.

• Other Sectors: In healthcare, smart materials are in clothes and devices that change with a patient's needs.
  chatImportant

  It's important to note that in healthcare, smart materials can adapt to individual patient needs, providing personalised care solutions.

Smartphones with colourful apps show how smart materials are used in tech.

Innovative Materials

• Graphene: This is one layer of carbon atoms. It is useful for quick electronics like transistors and solar cells.
• Biodegradable Plastics: These come from renewable sources and break down easily, cutting the need for petroleum.
  infoNote

  Biodegradable plastics are essential for reducing dependency on petroleum-based products.

• Natural Fibre Composites: Made from plant parts, these are good for building, reducing the use of synthetic materials.
  chatImportant

  By using natural fibre composites, we can significantly reduce the reliance on synthetic building materials.

• Societal Impacts: Innovative materials help technology to be greener and create more jobs.
  infoNote

  The shift towards innovative materials supports environmental sustainability and economic growth through job creation.

Summary