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UNIT–IV Properties of Smart Materials

Smart materials can:

AdVANced FUNcTIoNAl MATerIAls • Sense changes in environment
• Respond automatically
• Return to original condition
SMART MATERIALS • Convert one type of energy into another
Example: Quartz converts mechanical pressure → electrical signal
Definition
Classification of Smart Materials (with examples)
Smart materials are materials that change their properties automatically when
external conditions change. Smart materials are classified based on the type of stimulus applied.

These external conditions may be: Temperature, Pressure, Stress, Electric 1. Temperature sensitive materials
field, Magnetic field, Light, Chemical environment
Example: Shape Memory Alloys (Nitinol)
After the condition changes, the material responds in a controlled and useful Application: Medical stents, Orthodontic wires
way.
2. Stress sensitive materials
Example: Example: Piezoelectric materials (Quartz)
Shape memory alloy wire bends → heat applied → returns to original shape. Application: Sensors, Ultrasound devices

That is why they are called smart materials. 3. Magnetic field sensitive materials
Example: Magnetostrictive materials
Application: Actuators, Sonar systems
4. Electric field sensitive materials
Example: Electrostrictive materials
Application: Precision positioning devices
5. Light sensitive materials
Example: Photochromic glass
Application: Sunglasses.
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Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) Types of Shape Memory Effect

Definition 1. One-Way Shape Memory Effect

Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) are materials that remember their original Material remembers only original shape after heating.
shape and return to it when heated after deformation. This property is called
Shape Memory Effect. Example: Bent wire returns to straight shape only once.

2. Two-Way Shape Memory Effect

Material remembers two shapes:

• One at low temperature

• One at high temperature

Advantages of Shape Memory Alloys

• High strength
• Corrosion resistant
• Biocompatible
• Good flexibility
• Long service life

Applications of Shape Memory Alloys

Working Principle
Used in:
Shape memory alloys exist in two phases: Medical field
• Bone plates
• Stents
Phase Temperature Property
• Orthodontic wires
Martensite Low temperature Easily deformed Engineering field
Austenite High temperature Returns to original shape • Pipe couplings
Process: • Actuators
Step 1: Material cooled → martensite phase formed • Robotics
Step 2: Material bent easily Aerospace field
Step 3: Material heated • Temperature control systems
Step 4: Returns to original shape automatically
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Nitinol Important Properties of Nitinol

• Excellent shape memory property

Nitinol is a Shape Memory Alloy made of:
• High elasticity
• Corrosion resistant
Nickel (Ni) + Titanium (Ti)
• Biocompatible
• Lightweight
Name origin:
• High strength
Ni → Nickel
Applications of Nitinol
Ti → Titanium
Medical Applications
NOL → Naval Ordnance Laboratory (USA)
Used in: Cardiac stents, Orthodontic wires, Surgical instruments, Bone
So: fixation devices

Nitinol = Nickel + Titanium + NOL Reason: Compatible with human body

Engineering Applications

Used in: Pipe connectors, Temperature sensors, Actuators, Robotics

Aerospace Applications

Used in: Aircraft control systems, Automatic valves

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Piezoelectric Materials Quartz as Piezoelectric Material

Definition Definition

Piezoelectric materials generate electric charge when mechanical stress is Quartz is a naturally occurring piezoelectric crystal widely used in sensors.
applied. This is called Piezoelectric Effect
Chemical formula: SiO₂
Example: Quartz crystal
Working Principle
When pressure applied: Mechanical energy → Electrical energy
When force applied: Crystal structure changes slightly

Result: Electric charge is produced

When voltage applied: Crystal vibrates

Properties of Quartz

• High stability
• Accurate response
• Long life
• High sensitivity
• Low cost

Applications of Quartz

Medical Applications
Used in: Ultrasound imaging
Reason: Produces high-frequency vibrations
Electronic Applications
Used in: Crystal oscillators
Example: Digital watches, Mobile phones, Computers
Industrial Applications
Used in: Pressure sensors, Microphones, Sonar detectors
Defense Applications
Used in: Radar systems, Navigation systems
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BIOSENSOR Working Mechanism

Step 1: Blood sample placed on test strip

Definition
Step 2: Glucose reacts with enzyme glucose oxidase
A biosensor is an analytical device that uses a biological element to detect a
chemical substance and converts it into an electrical signal.
Step 3: Hydrogen peroxide formed
In simple words:
Step 4: Electrode oxidizes hydrogen peroxide
A biosensor = biological detector + electronic signal converter
Step 5: Electric current produced
Example: Glucose sensor used by diabetic patients to measure blood sugar
Step 6: Current measured by device
level.
Step 7: Display shows glucose level
Amperometric Glucose Monitor Sensor
Construction of Amperometric Glucose Sensor
Definition
Main components:
It is a biosensor that measures glucose level by detecting current produced
during enzyme reaction. • Platinum electrode
• Reference electrode
Principle of Amperometric Glucose Sensor • Enzyme glucose oxidase layer
• Protective membrane
Works based on:
Working occurs on electrode surface.
Glucose + Oxygen → Gluconic acid + Hydrogen peroxide
Advantages of Amperometric Glucose Sensor
This reaction occurs in presence of enzyme: Glucose oxidase
• High sensitivity
Hydrogen peroxide produced generates electric current. • Fast response
• Accurate measurement
Amount of current produced ∝ glucose concentration • Portable device
• Easy to operate
More glucose → more current • Requires very small blood sample

Less glucose → less current

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Applications of Amperometric Glucose Sensor

Used in: Medical field

Used for: Monitoring diabetes patients

Example: Digital glucometer

Hospitals

Used for: Real-time glucose monitoring during surgery Beer–Lambert Law

Research laboratories
A=εcl
Used for: Biochemical analysis
Where:
UV–Visible Spectroscopy for Analysis of A = absorbance
Pollutants in Dye Industry
c = concentration
UV–Visible spectroscopy measures absorption of ultraviolet (200–400 nm)
and visible light (400–800 nm) by chemical substances. l = path length

Used to determine: concentration, structure, presence of pollutants ε = molar absorptivity

Principle Meaning:

When UV or visible light passes through a coloured solution: Higher concentration → higher absorbance

Some light is absorbed by molecules. Dye Industry Needs UV–Visible Analysis

Amount of absorbed light depends on concentration. Dye industries release wastewater containing: azo dyes, organic colour
compounds, aromatic pollutants, toxic intermediates
Based on: Beer–Lambert Law
These pollutants affect: rivers, soil, aquatic life, human health

So monitoring is essential.
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Working Procedure Advantages

Step-by-step: • Fast method

• Simple operation
1. Wastewater sample collected • Accurate detection
2. Sample placed in cuvette • Low sample requirement
3. UV–Visible light passed through sample • Non-destructive technique
4. Absorption recorded
5. Concentration calculated using Beer–Lambert law IR Spectroscopy in Night-Vision Security
Applications in Dye Industry Pollution Monitoring
Infrared spectroscopy studies interaction between infrared radiation and
molecules.
UV–Visible spectroscopy helps to:
IR region: 700 nm – 1 mm
Detect dye concentration
Used to detect: molecular vibrations
Example: Methylene blue, Rhodamine dyes, Azo dyes
Principle
Monitor wastewater treatment efficiency
When IR radiation passes through substance:
Compare:
Molecules absorb IR energy
Before treatment
Result: Bond vibration increases
After treatment
Example: Stretching vibration, Bending vibration
Identify toxic organic compounds
Each molecule absorbs specific IR wavelength, So, identification becomes
Example: Nitro compounds, Phenolic dyes
possible.
Control environmental pollution
Role in Night-Vision Security
Used in: Industrial quality control laboratories
IR spectroscopy helps detect heat radiation emitted by objects Especially
useful at night.

Reason: Every object emits infrared radiation based on temperature.

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Working of Night-Vision Devices Pollution Under Control (PUC) CO Sensor
Step-by-step:
Passive Infrared Detection Method
1. Objects emit infrared radiation
A carbon monoxide (CO) sensor detects concentration of carbon monoxide
2. Sensor detects IR radiation
gas in air.
3. Radiation converted into electrical signal
4. Signal converted into image
Important because: CO is colourless, odourless, poisonous
5. Visible image displayed on screen

Even in complete darkness.

Applications in Security Systems

Used in:

Military surveillance

Detect enemy movement at night

Principle of Passive Infrared Detection
Border monitoring
CO molecules absorb specific infrared radiation.
Identify unauthorized entry
Sensor measures: reduction in transmitted IR intensity
CCTV cameras
Higher absorption → higher CO concentration
Night-vision cameras in buildings
Working of CO Sensor in Vehicles (PUC Test)
Rescue operations
Step-by-step:
Detect trapped persons during disasters
1. Exhaust gas released from vehicle
2. Gas enters sensor chamber
3. Infrared light passed through gas sample
4. CO absorbs specific wavelength
5. Detector measures absorption level
6. CO concentration calculated
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Displayed as: percentage value Raman Spectroscopy is Used for Tumour Detection

Importance of PUC CO Monitoring Cancer cells differ from normal cells in:

Controls: vehicle pollution protein content

Protects: environment, human health lipid structure
Reduces: air pollution levels DNA concentration

Applications These differences produce different Raman spectra

Used in: Vehicle emission testing centres, Industrial gas monitoring So, tumour tissues can be identified easily
systems. Home safety alarms, Detect leakage of CO gas
Working Method
Example: Pollution Under Control certificate testing
Step-by-step:
Raman Spectroscopy in Tumour 1. Laser light directed on tissue
Detection (Medical Applications) 2. Raman scattered light collected
3. Spectrum recorded
Raman spectroscopy studies scattering of light by molecules. 4. Spectrum compared with normal tissue
5. Tumour detected
When laser light falls on molecule, most light scatters normally, small
amount scatters with energy change, this is called Raman scattering. Advantages in Medical Diagnosis

Principle • Non-destructive technique

• Highly sensitive
Laser light interacts with molecules • Rapid diagnosis
• No chemical treatment required
Energy difference measured • Detects tumour at early stage

This gives: molecular fingerprint information Applications in Medicine

Each molecule produces unique Raman spectrum Used for detection of: Skin cancer, Brain tumour, Breast cancer, Oral cancer

Also useful during: real-time surgery guidance