Key questions:

-What are SMART materials?

- How are SMART materials used in textile items?
- How are fabrics inspired by biomimicry?

What is meant by the term

Smart materials?
Can you name any
examples?

- A Modern material is a material

that has been designed for a
specific purpose or need.

- A Smart material is a material that

reacts and changes to the
environment around them.
Key questions:
-What are SMART materials?
- How are SMART materials used in textile items?
- How are fabrics inspired by biomimicry?

Modern materials are those that are continually being developed through the
invention of new or improved processes

Examples include:-
Teflon
Fibre Optics
Neoprene
Paperfoam
Cornstarch Polymers Fibre Optics
Mountain Boots Neoprene
Lyocell made from Synthetic Laptop Cover
Nano Technology Micro Fibres
Synthetic micro fibres
Lycra blends
Polartec
Composite materials
Cellular materials
Carbon & Kevlar fibre Teflon film on Photovoltaic Units Helmet made from
Maplex Carbon/Kevlar fibre
Key questions:
-What are SMART materials?
- How are SMART materials used in textile items?
- How are fabrics inspired by biomimicry?

Modern materials - Microfibres

Extremely fine synthetic fibres, mainly

polyester and polyamide
They are very lightweight, soft and drap
well
Used for a variety of clothing products
Often blended with natural fibres to give
high performance fabrics for outdoor and
sports use.
TACTEL-is a polyamide microfibre
TENCEL-is a regenerated mircofibre
classed as LYOCELLS
Key questions:
-What are SMART materials?
- How are SMART materials used in textile items?
- How are fabrics inspired by biomimicry?

Modern materials - Kevlar

• Heat-resistant and strong

• They are used in aerospace and military
applications, for ballistic rated body armour
fabric and ballistic composites, in bicycle tires,
and as an asbestos substitute
• good resistance to abrasion
• good resistance to organic solvents
• low flammability, no melting point, degradation
starts from 500°C
Key questions:
-What are SMART materials?
- How are SMART materials used in textile items?
- How are fabrics inspired by biomimicry?

Modern Materials - Gortex

Waterproof breathable fabric is engineered to

handle two tasks simultaneously: repel
precipitation and release perspiration
vapor.
Blocks wind
Only used with synthetics-naturals absorb
but the moisture can go back onto the
skin
Used in tents and waterproof walking gear.
Wound care- creates a barrier that stop
moisture going back onto the skin but
allows the skin to breathe
Key questions:
-What are SMART materials?
- How are SMART materials used in textile items?
- How are fabrics inspired by biomimicry?

Smart materials have one or more properties/features that can respond to external
stimuli, such as stress, light, temperature, moisture, pH, electric or magnetic fields and
return to there original state when the stimuli is removed.

Examples include:-

Shape memory alloys

Polymorph

Photochromic Materials Thermochromic Materials

Phosphorescent Materials
Key questions:
-What are SMART materials?
- How are SMART materials used in textile items?
- How are fabrics inspired by biomimicry?

Smart Materials - Thermochromic

Thermochromic liquid crystals can be incorporated Thermochromic

into special ink and printed onto different Ceramics
surfaces such as plastic, paper, textiles and
ceramics. They respond to heat by changing
colour at specific temperatures. Heat Sensitive fabric
Thermo = Heat, Chromic = Colour
Examples include:-
• Kettles
• Thermometers
• Battery Testers
• Heat Sensitive Ceramics
• Heat Sensitive Paper
• Clothing
Thermometers
Colour Changing Kettles
Key questions:
-What are SMART materials?
- How are SMART materials used in textile items?
- How are fabrics inspired by biomimicry?

Smart Materials - Photochromic

Photochromic pigments reacts

to bright light (Ultra Violet).

Photochromic lenses are light

sensitive lenses that darken on
exposure to U V light, protecting the
user’s eyes from harmful radiation.

This T-shirt uses Photochromic inks for decoration

purposes. Special pigments change colour when
exposed to solar light and reverse back to clear
when the light source is removed.
Bike helmet with a Photochromic
Safety Visor
Key questions:
-What are SMART materials?
- How are SMART materials used in textile items?
- How are fabrics inspired by biomimicry?

Smart Materials - Microencapsulation

A way to insert, fragrances, antibacterial

substances into fibres

Capsules are broken through friction and

release the scent, or chemical

You can insert moisturisers into tights to

condition the skin, or caffeine to prevent
tired legs

Facemasks at hospitals may have it in to

prevent germs spreading, in fabric
conditioners

Embedded into designer clothes

Key questions:
-What are SMART materials?
- How are SMART materials used in textile items?
- How are fabrics inspired by biomimicry?

Biomimicry
Biomimicry, like the name suggests means "to imitate life" literally. The
word is derived from the Greek word "bios" and "mimesis" also known
as biomimetics.
It practices the use of the marvels of nature and its
functioning for developing new innovative technology. Many innovative
textile products have been engineered using biomimicry.
One suchproduct that was inspired from nature is Velcro, invented by
George De Mestral, when one evening he took his dog for a walk, and
noticed burrs stuck to his fur. Similarly there are many textile
technologies that mock the works of nature to come up with novel
products.
Water repellent surface inspired by the lotus plant. QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
A company achieved the results by producing are needed to see this picture.

water resisting fabrics by silicon coating of two

polyester fabrics.
Key questions:
-What are SMART materials?
- How are SMART materials used in textile items?
- How are fabrics inspired by biomimicry?

Speedo's Fastskin FSII

swimsuit mimics the
texture of sharkskin to
improve the speed of
its wearer.
Key questions:
-What are SMART materials?
- How are SMART materials used in textile items?
- How are fabrics inspired by biomimicry?

"Shed Me" garments

slough off their layers
like a snake, reducing
the need for frequent
laundering.
Key questions:
-What are SMART materials?
- How are SMART materials used in textile items?
- How are fabrics inspired by biomimicry?

Inspired by the
microscopic structure
of the Morpho
butterfly's wings,
Morphotex requires no
dyes or pigments.
Key questions:
-What are SMART materials?
- How are SMART materials used in textile items?
- How are fabrics inspired by biomimicry?

Activity - Modern and Smart materials:

Key Focus:
Use the revision guides (pg48 - pg51) to • Conductive materials
help you produce revision resources • Nanotechnology
focussing on modern and Smart materials.
You could produce a mind map, cue cards
or any other resource you feel will be
helpful.

QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture. What are the top 3 facts or
pieces of information
you will take away from
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor this lesson?
are needed to see this picture.