Smart Materials as Intelligent Insulation

In order to provide a robust infrastructure for the transmission and distribution of electrical power, understanding and monitoring equipment ageing and failure is of paramount importance. Commonly, failure is associated with degradation of the dielectric material; therefore the introduction of a smart moiety into the material is a potentially attractive means of continual condition monitoring. It is important that any introduction of smart groups into the dielectric does not have any detrimental effect on the desirable electrical and mechanical properties of the bulk material. Initial work focussed on the introduction of fluorophores into a model dielectric system. Fluorescence is known to be a visible effect even at very low concentrations of active fluorophores and therefore was thought well suited to such an application. It was necessary both to optimise the active fluorophore itself and to determine the most appropriate manner in which to introduce the fluorophores into the insulating system. This presentation will describe the effect of introducing fluorophores into polymeric systems on the dielectric properties of the material and the findings thus far [1]. Alternative smart material systems will also be discussed along with the benefits and limitations of smart materials as electric field sensors

Smart Materials

The speed with which new materials are developed and brought to market today has no precedents in human history. We have available a myriad new materials derived from such traditional ones as wood, ceramics and glass; and we have materials that perfect the performances of the materials of modernity, from steel to plastics. Then there are composite materials of various types and kinds, from the so-called “liquid wood”, a composite of plastics and sub-products of woodworking, to composite’s based on fi bres in a plastic matrix, on which much yacht production is based. Then there are the absolute innovations: materials with almost magical properties; unusual materials for common understanding and experience of what material has so far meant to us. These are the smart materials, which take us into a new era: the era of increasingly light, changing and dynamic material

Dynamic response of structures constructed from smart materials

The dynamic analysis of structures constructed of homogeneous smart materials is greatly simplified by the observation that the eigenfunctions of such structures are identical to those of the same structures constructed entirely of purely elastic materials. The dynamic analysis of such structures is thus reduced to the analysis of the temporal behaviour of the eigenmodes of the structure. The theory is illustrated for both continuous and discrete structures using the generalization of 'positive position feedback' to distributed control

Automating the application of smart materials for protein crystallization

The fabrication and validation of the first semi-liquid nonprotein nucleating agent to be administered automatically to crystallization trials is reported. This research builds upon prior demonstration of the suitability of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs; known as 'smart materials') for inducing protein crystal growth. Modified MIPs of altered texture suitable for high-throughput trials are demonstrated to improve crystal quality and to increase the probability of success when screening for suitable crystallization conditions. The application of these materials is simple, time-efficient and will provide a potent tool for structural biologists embarking on crystallization trials. © 2015, IUCR. All rights reserved

Educating smart materials

Our daily environment is clearly occupied by digital technologies, which influence the way we behave, move, or interact with one another. In order for architects to keep up with continuous technological advancement and be prepared for upcoming challenges and uncertainties they need to be educated in the use of new technologies and possess skills in interdisciplinary exchange. Especially in respect to the application of new materials, which often stem from areas like materials science, biology, or chemistry, architects not only need an understanding of discipline-specific distinctions but especially be literate in a shared way of expression. The following article presents a didactic model for integrative and explorative smart material education as a means to enrich existing educational frameworks. Yet rather than prescribing a particular method or predefined solution the focus of this idea is on providing open access to information and suggest a broad range of relevant possibilities. The students are thus not taught “what-to-do” but instead encouraged to learn “how-to-do” by offering a stable and rich framework for independent self-development. Nuestro entorno diario está claramente ocupado por las tecnologías digitales, que influyen en la forma en que nos comportamos, nos movemos o interactuamos unos con otros. Para que los arquitectos puedan mantenerse al día con el progreso tecnológico continuo y estar preparados para los próximos desafíos e incertidumbres, necesitan ser capacitados en el uso de nuevas tecnologías y poseer habilidades en el intercambio interdisciplinario. Especialmente con respecto a la aplicación de nuevos materiales, que a menudo provienen de áreas como ciencia de los materiales, la biología o la química, los arquitectos no sólo necesitan una comprensión de las distinciones específicas de la disciplina, sino especialmente estar familiarizados con una forma de expresión compartida. El siguiente artículo presenta un modelo didáctico para la educación integradora y exploratoria de materiales inteligentes como un medio para enriquecer los marcos educativos existentes. Sin embargo, en vez de prescribir un método particular o una solución predefinida, el enfoque pretende proporcionar un acceso abierto a la información y sugerir una amplia gama de posibilidades relevantes. Por lo tanto, a los estudiantes no se les enseña “qué hacer” sino que se les anima a aprender “cómo hacer” ofreciendo un marco estable y rico para el autodesarrollo independiente.O nosso ambiente diário é claramente ocupado pelas tecnologias digitais que influenciam a forma como nos comportamos, nos movemos e interagimos uns com os outros. Para que os arquitetos possam acompanhar o progresso tecnológico contínuo e estar preparados para os próximos desafios e incertezas, precisam ser treinados no uso de novas tecnologias e possuem habilidades interdisciplinares. Especialmente no que diz respeito à aplicação de novos materiais, que muitas vezes vêm de áreas como a ciência dos materiais, biologia ou química, os arquitetos devem ter não só uma compreensão das diferenças específicas de a disciplina, mas principalmente estar familiarizados com uma forma de expressão compartilhada. O artigo apresenta um modelo didático para a educação integradora e exploratória dos materiais inteligentes como um meio para enriquecer estruturas educacionais existentes. No entanto, em vez de prescrever um determinado método ou uma solução pré-definida, a abordagem pretende proporcionar acesso aberto à informação e sugerir uma ampla gama de possibilidades relevantes. Portanto, os alunos não são ensinados a “o que fazer”, mas são incentivados a aprender “como fazer”, proporcionando um quadro estável e rico para o autodesenvolvimento

Developing tomorrow's innovative surgical solutions

Designers are increasingly becoming aware of the potential use and integration of smart materials and technologies within their designs. One of the critical steps towards building innovative surgical solutions will be to link physicians and product designers utilising the appropriate materials and technologies to provide tangible improvements in patient care and treatment

Advances in Smart Materials and Applications

This is one of a series of special issues published in Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, focusing on the latest advances of smart materials and their applications. Evolution of engineering materials is strongly depending on the growing transformation of complexity in engineering products. New materials being designed are required to provide specific properties and demonstrate certain functional characteristics by manipulating their dimension, chemistry, and structure through various advanced technologies.Therefore, “smartness” of a material has become the topic of interest. Properties of smart materials may change accordingly to the applied external stimuli. Under the direction of the editorial team, we showcase advances of organic and inorganic based smart materials and their applications in areas of specific interest such as energy, environment, and health. A total of 9 articles are published in this special issue. Six articles are focused on production, synthesis, and optimization of smart materials; and the remaining are dedicated to application of smart materials