Phase 02: Smart Materials: characteristics, responses, and applications

Assignment 2.1

As we already read, smart materials can be defined within two typologies:

SM – Type 1: Property changing-Intrinsic response variation of material to specific internal or external stimuli (Thermochromic, Magnetorheological, Thermotropic, Shape memory):

SM – Type 2: Energy exchanging- responses can be computationally controlled or enhanced (Photovoltaic, Thermoelectric, Piezoelectric, Photoluminescent, and Electrostrictive)

SM1-Input energy (stimulus field) causes changes at the materials’ molecular level which results in property changes. For Ex. Thermal energy causes thermochromics to change colors. The output is a property changed response, new material property.

SM2-Input energy changed to a different form. Energy-exchanging. For ex. Piezoelectric materials (convert mechanical energy-deformation by a force- into electrical energy and vice-versa)

We will try to explore more about:
- How SMs function, how they act and for what purpose (dependent on the material composition);
- What do we want SMs to do?
- Which information do I need to know in order to control and influence the SM response?


SM1-Property-changing:
- Color-changing (photochromics-color+light - photochromics films; thermocromics-color+temperature; mechanochromics-color+deformations; chemochromics-color+chemical environments; electrochromics-color+voltage-liquid crystals). Larger association: transparency and color change; translucency, reflectivity, Dichroic materials (in glasses and films, colors may change accordingly to the angle of view); Photochromic Glass;
- Polymeric products: filaments, strands, films, sheets. Radiant color film; Radiant mirror film; Image redirection film;
- Phase-changing (gas, liquid or solid state that changes when temperature or pressure changes);
- Smart conductors (for ex. conducting Polymers);
- Smart fabrics.

SM2-Energy-exchanging:
- Photovoltaic technologies (energy input, electricity output);
- Light Emitting materials: Light Emitting Diodes (LED-OLED- energy input, voltage output); Light-emitting Polymers;
- Piezoelectric materials (piezo=pressure in Greek; the pressure-mechanical energy (inducing deformation) is converted to electrical energy and vice-versa); Piezoelectric Films;
- Shape memory alloys. For ex. Nitinol (the material can be deformed but remembers its original shape-temperature application).


You are to conceive the study of a polyvalent smart envelope as a system of different layers: structure, skin, smart material application, and, in some cases, sensors and actuators.


Readings:

Michelle Addington, Daniel Schodek: Smart Materials and Technologies, Architectural Press, 2005
Chapter 4, Chapter 5.1 (pag.115-126), Chapter 7

Mori, T.: Immaterial/Ultramaterial: Architecture, Design and Materials, W. W. Norton & Co. Inc., 2002

Schodek, D., Bechthold, M., Griggs, K., Kao, K., Steinberg, M.: Digital Design and Manufacturing: CAD/CAM Applications in Architecture. NY 2004, John Wiley and Sons.