What is a new material? What are smart materials? And what is their role?

In recent years, a group of new materials named "Smar" have come to the fore and are gradually entering our lives. Let me introduce you to the editor below.


"The word "Smart" comes from English and contains the triple meanings of "feeling, thinking, signal or inspiring", "smart, smart, dry" and "novel style". Therefore, "Sma" material is also called "smart material", it is the most basic The characteristic is that it can "feel" the surrounding environment. A certain change, and can make corresponding changes in response to this change. In the early 1990s, China developed a medical function of far-infrared health care cotton knitted fiber The appearance of this health-care fiber is no different from ordinary cotton fiber, but its surface is coated with a very thin layer of far-infrared radiation material made by a special method. At room temperature, this radiation material can absorb heat energy. It is radiated by far-infrared rays with a wavelength of 8-25 microns. Since the wavelength of this far-infrared rays is the same or similar to that of the human body, and is non-toxic, harmless, and non-irritating, it can be used in hot and cold environments. Play a role. In the cold, damp and cold environment, if the human body can wear a far-infrared radiation fiber knitted underwear, it can be used to absorb the heat energy radiated out, and then radiate back in the form of far-infrared rays. It is absorbed by cell molecules and converted into vibration energy, which intensifies molecular movement and stimulates the body's functions, which can improve the body's qi and blood running status, improve the body's energy utilization rate and the body's immunity, thereby producing warmth and medical treatment. And the multiple effects of strengthening the body. For people who work under the hot summer sun or in other high-temperature environments, as long as they wear a far-infrared health-care fiber undershirt with 60% coverage, they will be able to force a large amount of heat from the outside world. Turning into far-infrared radiation, you can not only enjoy the benefits of fully shielding external high-temperature heat, but also enjoy the comfort brought by the excellent moisture absorption and air permeability of the cotton fabric.


Five famous hospitals, including Shanghai East China Hospital, Zhongshan Hospital, and Ruijin Hospital, used this kind of smart clothing to test more than 600 patients. The results prove that this "magic second skin" can relieve or assist medical treatment for many diseases such as internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, urology, etc. It is also very helpful for the rehabilitation of patients after surgery. Research on smart fibers has progressed in many countries. The French company Aigle uses special super long fibers and micro fibers to develop a fiber product with particularly good moisture permeability. It can discharge moisture on the surface of the human body in just 10 seconds, making the human body feel more Dry. This kind of clothing is the most ideal material for making summer clothes and underwear. It is a kind of clothing fiber developed by Japan Unitka Company. It can fully absorb the ultraviolet rays in the sun, and then convert it into infrared rays. The inner layer of the clothing radiates to the human body. In winter, it not only avoids the attack of excessive ultraviolet rays, but also feels warmer. The winter clothing made of this kind of clothing not only has the effect of lightness, softness and warmth, but also has the effect of health care and body protection. U.S. Gavit Corporation uses a new technology developed by NASA to design a clothing fiber that is warm in winter and cool in summer. This kind of fiber contains special materials inside, which change from liquid phase to solid phase when the temperature drops, and release heat energy outward; when the temperature rises, it changes from solid phase to liquid phase, and absorbs energy from the external environment. Clothing made of this fiber has a two-way temperature adjustment function: let it fully absorb or release energy before wearing it, and gradually release or absorb heat as needed during the wearing process, truly achieve free adjustment of cold and warm, so that the human body is always the most comfortable temperature.


France is vigorously developing a clothing fiber with both beauty and weight loss functions. Researchers are trying to combine the compound molecules with moisturizing and weight loss functions with the fiber molecules through the action of chemical bonds to form an organic whole. Clothing made of this fiber fabric will release these special molecules at a stable speed and lastingly, making the skin softer and smoother, and making the body more fit. Eight scientists from the University of Illinois in the United States also invented a new type of intelligent concrete material with automatic repair function. They added a special hollow fiber in addition to traditional sand, cement and water. The hollow fiber is filled with liquid crack repair agent. Whether it is a house, a bridge, or a road pavement, as long as this smart concrete is used, when cracks occur under the action of external force, the fiber will break due to the force, and high-strength adhesive will flow from the hollow, automatically and timely Fill the small cracks and quickly solidify to automatically heal to prevent the further development of the cracks. The development of various "smart" new materials is a long-cherished wish of people. How can materials without brains be made smarter? Scientists tell us that we can use various sensitive materials as sensors, which are the prototypes of smart materials. These sensitive materials occupy the development of artificial intelligence field, which is a collection of modern science and technology. important position. Lockheed Corporation of the United States is a world-renowned aircraft manufacturing company, especially famous for designing and manufacturing new military aircraft. In 1995, the company had another surprising new invention. Engineers used a smart structural material in the skin of the aircraft. After trial and error, they implanted micro-sensors, micro-antennas and micro-processors in the aircraft to realize the integration of electronic equipment and the aircraft skin. Once an aircraft with this kind of smart material is damaged in battle or accident, the micro sensor will immediately “feel the damaged part, shape, size, and severity of the damage from factors such as pressure changes and current changes, and then The relevant situation is automatically notified to the microprocessor through the miniature antenna and other electronic devices. If the problem is not serious, the microprocessor will automatically take the necessary remedial measures to deal with it. If the problem is serious, the microprocessor will transmit the information to the central office via the electronic circuit. The processor, the central processor makes timely decisions, or arranges to rebuild the circuit connection in the damaged part, or directs the aircraft to adjust the flight attitude in time, so as to ensure the safe flight and landing of the aircraft. At present, the research of smart materials is mainly focused on Robots make and adjust indoor light under the color-changing glass. For example, scientists have developed a composite material composed of silicon, rubber and metal. It is an extremely sensitive force-sensitive material. As long as a slight pressure is applied to it, the resistance value It will automatically decrease, causing the current in the circuit to change. When this electrical signal is transmitted to the computer, the robot will produce certain actions to complete the specified task. For example, if the robot is to pick up an apple, the pressure caused by the weight of the apple will cause The current signal of the computer can make the computer judge "this is an apple", so the robot will use the appropriate force to hold the apple.

For another example, there is a photosensitive color-changing glass, which contains photosensitive materials such as phosphor, aluminum, and silver. When the sunlight is strong, the window made of this kind of glass will automatically reduce the transparency to soften the light in the room; when the indoor light is too dark, it will become more transparent and brighten the room. It is as if someone is pulling or opening curtains for themselves. Researchers at the University of California in the United States apply a layer of cadmium-sensitive material as thick as 1/100 of the hair in the two layers of glass. Will change the color, so as to achieve the effect of adjusting the indoor light and temperature.

British Chemical Company Ink launched a new fashion, which can change with the temperature in the temperature range of 28~33℃, changing to rich colors. For example, it is red at 28°C and blue at 33°C. When the model is worn on the body, due to the changes in the body temperature of various parts of the body, the costume will appear as a rainbow of charming colors. It turns out that the dye used in this fashion fabric is a heat-sensitive liquid crystal material. This company has successfully developed a variety of thermochromic liquid crystal materials with a discoloration range of 20-100°C or higher. Because these materials are extremely sensitive to temperature changes, they are expected to provide a new research method for research and applications in industry, medicine and certain fields. The research of smart materials has aroused great interest of materials scientists. A variety of smart material sensors will build a beautiful landscape in the field of information technology.

At present, smart materials are mainly used in high-tech fields such as aviation and aerospace. With the passage of time, it is believed that smart materials will appear more and more in our food, clothing, housing, transportation and many other aspects to provide convenience for our lives.