Our Smart Materials Collection contains 15 different examples of Smart Materials all housed inside a Gratnells Tray for easy storage
Conduct a whole host of different demonstrations of Smart Materials using our kit including UV Reactive beads, smart fabrics, metals, paints and polymers
The Collection contains:UV Detecting Beads Pack of 250A bag of white beads which turn into many different colours when exposed to an ultraviolet light source
Ideal for observing UV radiation from the Sun
A great way to raise awareness of the health issues associated with exposure to the sun
A science activity guide is included and allows students to carry out scientific investigations and learn about the effects of the sun on their health
Photochromic Pigment: Orange 3gThese pigments normally have a pale, off‐white appearance but in sunlight or UV light they change to a bright, vivid colour
The pigments revert to their pale colour when away from sunlight or UV light
Methods of application include brush painting, block printing, stencilling, screen printing etc
Chameleon Nano Flakes 5gThis material consists of nano‐size silicon flakes each covered with a titanium compound
The flakes have amazing light scattering properties if mixed with clear varnishes or polymers
An object thus coated will change colour completely according to the viewing angle
Please note: this small quantity covers a huge area as a surface finish
Kevlar Woven Fabric 250mm x 250mmKevlar has many applications, ranging from bicycle tyres and racing sails to body armour because of its high strength‐to‐weight ratio
Famously 5 times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis
Polymorph: Malleable Smart Polymer 500gPolymorph is one of a new generation of polymers set to have a major impact on model making and prototyping
This polymer has all the characteristics of a tough 'engineering' material yet it softens and becomes easily mould‐able at just 62¼C
It can be heated with
hot water or a hairdryer and can then be moulded by hand to create prototypes and solve manufacturing problems currently outside the capacity of other materials
Polymorph is reusable and the material can be coloured when soft by adding a small amount of food dye
Thermocolour Sheet 20 to 25¼C 150 mm x 300 mmThese thermochromic sheets change colour when influenced by changes in temperature provide an exciting way to see thermal mapping changes through colour
The sheets can be used to demonstrate, Conduction, Insulation, Convection, Radiation and Friction, and other experiments involving temperature change
The colour changes are reversible and on cooling the colour change sequence is reversed
Sheet can be cut to size
Smart Putty 100gSmart putty has been available for a long time as an amusement, but this visco‐elastic polymer has serious engineering applications
Soft, stretchy and bendy when moved slowly, solid when trying to move quickly or impacted
It has the remarkable property that it usually behaves as a soft mould‐able plastic (like chewing gum), but instantly becomes a rubber if impacted and bounces like a ball
It can also float in a liquid and will form a puddle given enough time
It is a great demonstration of an unusual polymer, a useful adhesive and can be used in many creative and fun activities
Hydrochromic Paint 50mlHydrochromic pigments change colour when exposed to water
This version is a reversible pigment which works by forming an opaque film that covers a coloured image or pattern
When the film is exposed to water it becomes transparent and reveals what is hidden underneath ‐ thus appearing to change colour
