Overview of Multi Functional Materials
Parul Gupta, Rupesh Kumar Srivastava · Sciyo eBooks · 2010
Until relatively recent times, most periods of technological development have been linked to changes in the use of materials (eg the stone, bronze and iron ages).In more recent years the driving force for technological change in many respects has shifted towards information technology.This is amply illustrated by the way the humble microprocessor has built intelligence into everyday domestic appliances.However, it is important to note that the IT age has not left engineered materials untouched, and that the fusion between designer materials and the power of information storage and processing has led to a new family of engineered materials and structures.The development of materials science has lead to the introduction of a new kind of material-"smart" material.Smart materials not only have the traditional structural material functions.But also have functions such as actuation, sensibility and microprocessing capability. in the materials family , we find three major materials : metals .ceramicand polymer and among those polymers being the youngest members find wide application in comparison to metals and ceramics In every sectors of our society .the recent progress in smart materials has taken the new momentum in the materials science and technology .theboard spectrum of applications of smart materials cover the biomedical , environmental , communication defence , space , nanotechnolgical fields of research with tremendous progress .The present report describes the application of smart materials in terms of opportunity and future challenges.Smart materials referred to materials that will undergo controlled transformations through physical interactions.Smart Materials are materials that respond to environmental stimuli, such as temperature, moisture, pH, or electric and magnetic fields.For examplephotochromic materials that change colour in response to light; shape memory alloys and polymers which change/recover their shape in response to heat and electro-and magnetorheological fluids that change viscosity in response to electric or magnetic stimuli.Smart Materials can be used directly to make smart systems or structures or embedded in structures whose inherent properties can be changed to meet high value-added performance needs.The different types of smart materials include piezoelectric, shape-memory alloys, electro-active conductive polymers, electrochromic materials, biomaterials, www.intechopen.