Browse Topic: Smart materials

Items (330)

Analyses of Cold Thermal Energy Storage Systems Using Eutectic Mixtures of Inorganic Hydrated Salts as Phase Change Materials

2025-01-500301/23/2025

Cold thermal energy storage using phase changing materials is being researched to find freezing and thawing points. The use of inorganic hydrated salts, a type of phase changing material (PCM) used in cold energy storage systems without the use of existing renewable energy systems, allows for a longer cooling effect and saves energy. A high volumetric storage density and relatively high thermal conductivity make hydrated salts suitable materials for thermal energy storage. They can be used only as inorganic mixtures or else they can also be used as eutectic mixtures, which involve mixtures of inorganic–inorganic salts or simply a combination of two or more inorganic salts. This research deals with eutectic mixtures, which are 4% KNO3 + 96% H2O, 4% NaHCO3 + 96% H2O, and 2% KNO3 + 2% NaHCO3 + 96% H2O. Three different novel eutectic mixtures were examined and found a suitable mixture for a cold thermal energy system. An efficient phase change approach involving 2% KNO3 + 2% NaHCO3 + 96

Vasanthkumar, P., Santhoshkumar, A., Gopika, P., Murali, M., Meera, C.

4D Printing of Shape Memory Polymers

TBMG-5219112/01/2024

Researchers have successfully demonstrated the four-dimensional (4D) printing of shape memory polymers in submicron dimensions that are comparable to the wavelength of visible light. 4D printing enables 3D-printed structures to change their configurations over time and is used in a variety of fields such as soft robotics, flexible electronics, and medical devices.

Thermoresponsive Smart Materials

TBMG-4694211/01/2022

Liquid Metal Turns Motion into Electricity, Even Underwater

TBMG-4691311/01/2022

Sensors Integrated in Clothing Monitor Heart Rate

TBMG-4553304/01/2022

Stretchable, bendable “smart” textiles are poised to reshape clothes of all kinds, creating new opportunities for integrating advanced monitoring technologies into everyday items. Researchers are applying neuroscience and psychophysiology to build responsive technologies like those integrated in smart textiles. They found that wearable sensor systems don't seem to perform as well in monitoring heart rates as traditional electrodes.

SintzUSER, Jeneane

Dynamic Behavior Prediction of Magnetorheological Fluid Dampers using Neural Networks

2022-01-032803/29/2022

Parametric and non-parametric models have been studied to predict the behavior of magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers by a lot of researchers due to their nonlinear dynamics. In this paper, the direct and inverse dynamic identification for MR fluid dampers using recurrent neural networks are investigated to demonstrate more accurate and efficient model. The effect of neural networks construction on the prediction quality of dynamic performance of MR damper is introduced in details. The trained direct identification neural network model can be used to predict the damping force of the MR fluid damper on line and the inverse dynamic neural network model can be used to generate the command voltage applied to the damper coil through supervised learning. The architectures and the learning techniques of direct and inverse neural network models for MR fluid dampers are introduced and simulation results are discussed. Finally, the trained neural network models are used to predict the damping

abd elwahed, A., Monieb, H. A., Metered, H.

Identification of the Nonlinear Dynamic Behavior of Magnetorheological Fluid Dampers using Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System

2022-01-032903/29/2022

Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) technique has been developed and applied by numerous researchers as a very useful predictor for nonlinear systems. In this paper, non-parametric models have been investigated to predict the direct and inverse nonlinear dynamic behavior of magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers using ANFIS technique to demonstrate more accurate and efficient models. The direct ANFIS model can be used to predict the damping force of the MR fluid damper and the inverse dynamic ANFIS model can be used to offer a suitable command voltage applied to the damper coil. The architectures and the learning details of the direct and inverse ANFIS models for MR fluid dampers are introduced and simulation results are discussed. The suggested ANFIS models are used to predict the damping force of the MR fluid damper accurately and precisely. Moreover, validation results for the ANFIS models are proposed and used to evaluate their performance. Validation results with several

abd elwahed, A., Monieb, H. A., Metered, H.

Experimental results of a novel electronic Expansion valve

2021-28-014909/15/2021

Experimental results of a novel electronic Expansion valve For BEV and Hybrid Vehicles, sophisticated Thermal management Systems have been introduced. They serve several needs such as • optimal conditioning of the Battery to ensure high efficiency and lifetime, • increased operational range due to efficient heat pump operation and also • ensuring high comfort in the passenger cabin by avoiding disturbances due to very different behaviours of air conditioning profiles and simultaneous battery conditioning needs. A light weight electronic expansion valve is discussed, which can be used in natural and chemical refrigerants, providing absolutely noiseless operation at an outstanding low weight. The structure of the valve and the actuation forces enable the use in CO2 Refrigerant circuits as well. The electronic control transfers the input signal to a suitable control signal for the noiseless SMA (shape memory alloy) wire, which actuates this valve. The needle position is instantaneously

Sohn, Jürgen, Willers, Eike

Centimeter-Long Snail Robot Powered with Light

TBMG-3980309/01/2021

Crawling by traveling deformation of a soft body is a widespread mode of locomotion — from microscopic nematodes, to earthworms, to gastropods. Animals across scales use it to move around different, often challenging environments. Snails, in particular, use mucus — a slippery, aqueous secretion — to control the interaction between their ventral foot and the surface. Their adhesive locomotion has a unique property: it can be used on different surfaces including wood, metal, glass, Teflon (PTFE), or sand in various configurations such as crawling upside-down.

Metamaterials R&D TARGETS NVH ABATEMENT

21AUTP05_0405/01/2021

Nissan readies its lightweight acoustic solution for 2022 production - will Hyundai follow? Acoustics engineers have a broad variety of materials from which to choose for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in vehicles. But their selection often comes with a measurable downside: added mass. It's not uncommon for a new vehicle to gain 100 lb (45 kg) or more during development as various absorbers, reflective barriers and absorber-barrier combinations - typically baked-on mastics, blankets, injected foams and acoustic glazing - are brought to bear. In an era where “lightweighting rules” and engineers are rewarded on a per-gram basis for cutting vehicle weight, materials researchers are betting on new developments to win the NVH-versus-mass battle. So-called metamaterials offer significant promise here, with a potential added benefit of being less costly than the traditional NVH solutions used by OEMs.

Brooke, Lindsay

Reconfigurable Electronics Based on Multiferroics and Nanomagnetism

21AERP02_0902/01/2021

Research could lead to the development of new materials with large magnetoelectric (ME) coupling for next-generation multifunctional devices, including, multi-state (neuromorphic-like) circuits and memories, and E-field tunable microwave resonators for secure communications. Air Force Research Laboratory, Arlington, Virginia Multifunctional magnetoelectric materials with high exchange represent a missing “holy grail” of materials physics. To combine polarization and magnetization in the same solid is nothing short of actually controlling the fundamental nature of electromagnetism in matter. Although magnetoelectricity (ME) is an intrinsic phenomenon in some natural materials at low temperature, such single-phase materials suffer from an extremely weak ME exchange. In contrast, composites consisting of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric phases can feature dramatically larger ME coefficients. This proposed program focuses on achieving the disruptive potential of emerging multifunctional

4D Printing of Morphing Structures

TBMG-3849402/01/2021

Soft robots and biomedical implants that reconfigure themselves upon demand are closer to reality with a new way to print shapeshifting materials. Researchers have developed a method to print objects that can be manipulated to take on alternate forms when exposed to changes in temperature, electric current, or stress.

Reconfigurable Electronics Based on Multiferroics and Nanomagnetism

TBMG-3853902/01/2021

Multifunctional magnetoelectric materials with high exchange represent a missing “holy grail” of materials physics. To combine polarization and magnetization in the same solid is nothing short of actually controlling the fundamental nature of electromagnetism in matter. Although magneto-electricity (ME) is an intrinsic phenomenon in some natural materials at low temperature, such single-phase materials suffer from an extremely weak ME exchange.

Smart Fabric Detects and Collects Space Dust

TBMG-3850902/01/2021

Researchers have developed an acoustic fabric so sensitive to vibrations that it can detect impacts from microscopic high-velocity space particles. A terrestrial application of these fabrics could be for blast detection and in the future, to act as sensitive microphones for directional gunshot detection.

Exploring Medical Applications of Ultra-Fine Nitinol Wire

TBMG-3831801/01/2021

As the name alludes to, nitinol is a nickel-titanium alloy known for its shape memory and superelastic characteristics. Shape memory refers to nitinol’s ability to undergo deformation at one temperature, then recover its original, under formed shape upon heating above its transformation temperature.

Products of Tomorrow: January 2021

TBMG-3834401/01/2021

This column presents technologies that have applications in commercial areas, possibly creating the products of tomorrow. To learn more about each technology, see the contact information provided for that innovation.

Contact Lenses for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Use

TBMG-3832301/01/2021

The ability to collect tears in an effective way and to measure their pH and levels of biomarkers in real time is highly desirable. One approach that is actively being explored is the idea of contact lens biosensors. Such contact lenses could be designed to include tiny channels on their surfaces for guiding the flow of tears into tiny reservoirs for collection and monitoring.

Platform for All-Optical Computing

TBMG-3836001/01/2021

Researchers have developed a new platform for all-optical computing, meaning computations done solely with beams of light. Most computation right now uses hard materials such as metal wires, semiconductors, and photodiodes to couple electronics to light. All-optical computing removes the rigid components and controls light with light.

Device Camouflages Wearer from Heat-Detecting Sensors

TBMG-3821512/01/2020

Researchers developed a wearable technology that can hide its wearer from heat-detecting sensors such as night vision goggles, even when the ambient temperature changes. The technology can adapt to temperature changes in just a few minutes, while keeping the wearer comfortable.

Designing Sensory and Adaptive Composite Materials

20AERP12_0912/01/2020

Newly developed computational approaches aid in the design of composites that exhibit remarkable abilities to both sense external cues and adapt to these cues in controllable, ‘programmable’ ways. Air Force Research Laboratory, Arlington, Virginia Biological systems have developed structural motifs that allow these systems to resist mechanical deformation. On the molecular scale, biological catch bonds play a vital role in this functionality since these bonds effectively become stronger under deformation. Inserted into hybrid materials, biomimetic catch bonds could lead to composites that exhibit improved mechanical properties in response to an applied force. Computer simulations were used to investigate the mechanical properties of a network of polymer-grafted nanoparticles (PGNs) that are interlinked by labile “catch” bonds. In contrast to conventional “slip” bonds, the lifetime of catch bonds can potentially increase with the application of force (i.e., the rate of rupture can

Design of New Piezoelectric Composites Using Nanocellulose

TBMG-3824712/01/2020

This research project focused on cellulose crystals as building blocks for the design and development of new low-density functional polymer composites. Although the piezoelectricity of cellulose has been predicted from its non-centrosymmetric crystal structure, it has not been measured accurately, nor has cellulose been properly exploited as a piezoelectric material. If it is proven, it could enable novel low-density electroactive materials capable of surpassing the performance of the best synthetic piezoelectric polymer such as polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF).

Designing Sensory and Adaptive Composite Materials

TBMG-3824512/01/2020

Biological systems have developed structural motifs that allow these systems to resist mechanical deformation. On the molecular scale, biological catch bonds play a vital role in this functionality since these bonds effectively become stronger under deformation. Inserted into hybrid materials, biomimetic catch bonds could lead to composites that exhibit improved mechanical properties in response to an applied force.

Design of New Piezoelectric Composites Using Nanocellulose

20AERP12_1012/01/2020

Using cellulose crystals as building blocks for the design and development of new low-density functional polymer composites. Air Force Research Laboratory, Arlington, Virginia This research project focused on cellulose crystals as building blocks for the design and development of new low-density functional polymer composites. Although the piezoelectricity of cellulose has been predicted from its noncentrosymmetric crystal structure, it has not been measured accurately, nor has cellulose been properly exploited as a piezoelectric material. If it is proven, it could enable novel low-density electroactive materials capable of surpassing the performance of the best synthetic piezoelectric polymer such as polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). To fulfill this objective, a systematic study was required to judiciously manipulate dipoles of individual cellulose nanocrystals to produce polar ordering at the macroscale and accurately characterize the nano-to-mesoscale structural ordering and

Self-Healing, Recyclable, Shape Memory Polymers

TBMG-3798411/01/2020

By tweaking the chemistry of a single polymer, researchers have created a family of synthetic materials that ranges in texture from ultra-soft to extremely rigid. The materials are 3D-printable, self-healing, recyclable, and naturally adhere to each other in air or underwater. These characteristics make them suited for more realistic prosthetics and soft robotics as well as broad military applications such as agile platforms for air vehicles and futuristic, self-healing aircraft wings.

Wool-Like Material Remembers and Changes Shape

TBMG-3796511/01/2020

Researchers have developed a biocompatible material that can be 3D-printed into any shape and pre-programmed with reversible shape memory. The material is made using keratin, a fibrous protein found in hair, nails, and shells. The researchers extracted the keratin from leftover Agora wool used in textile manufacturing.

Smart Window Improves Energy Efficiency of Buildings

TBMG-3796811/01/2020

Smart windows — windows that use solar cell technology to convert sunlight into electricity — present the opportunity to leverage windows as energy sources. Incorporating solar cells into windows while balancing the other complex and often conflicting roles of windows proves challenging; for example, juggling luminosity preferences and energy harvesting goals throughout changing seasons requires complex and strategic approaches to material design.

Tiny, Magnetically Powered Neural Stimulator

TBMG-3800811/01/2020

Neuroengineers have created a tiny surgical implant that can electrically stimulate the brain and nervous system without using a battery or wired power supply. The device draws its power from magnetic energy and is about the size of a grain of rice. It is the first magnetically powered neural stimulator that produces the same kind of high-frequency signals as clinically approved, battery-powered implants that are used to treat epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, and other conditions.

Sensing Eye Mask Captures Pulse, Sleep Signals

TBMG-3785410/01/2020

A new, lightweight eye mask can unobtrusively capture pulse, eye movement, and sleep signals, for example, when worn in an everyday environment.

Smart Fabrics with Bioactive Inks Monitor the Body by Changing Color

TBMG-3762909/01/2020

Biomaterial-based inks have been developed that respond to chemicals released from the body (e.g. in sweat) by changing color. The inks can be screenprinted onto textiles such as clothes, shoes, or even face masks in complex patterns and at high resolution, providing a detailed map of human response or exposure. The technology could simultaneously detect and quantify a wide range of biological conditions, molecules, and possibly pathogens over the surface of the body using conventional garments and uniforms.

4D Printing Creates Microneedles to Replace Hypodermics

TBMG-3765209/01/2020

Painful hypodermic needles may not be needed in the future to give shots, inject drugs, and get blood samples. With 4D printing, engineers have created tiny needles that mimic parasites that attach to skin and could replace hypodermic needles.

Bacteria-Based Hydrogel Beads Clean Up Contaminated Groundwater

TBMG-3745108/01/2020

Hydrogel beads with the consistency of gummy candy are made with an ingredient used in processed foods to clean up groundwater contaminated with dangerous and widely used volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Among the contaminants addressed by the method are 1,1,1-trichloroethane, cis-1,2-dichloroethene, and 1,4-dioxane — degreasers commonly used by industry and the military. The chemicals can infiltrate groundwater through leaky underground storage tanks or runoff, or by simply being dumped on the ground.

Smart Textiles Powered by Soft Transmission Lines

08/01/2020

EPFL researchers have developed electronic fibers that, when embedded in textiles, can collect a wealth of information about our bodies by measuring subtle and complex fabric deformations. Their technology relies on transmission line theory and offers a host of applications, such as in healthcare and robotics.

Smart Fabrics Monitor Body by Changing Color

08/01/2020

Researchers have developed biomaterial-based inks that respond to and quantify chemicals released from the body (e.g., in sweat and potentially other biofluids) or in the surrounding environment by changing color. The inks can be screen printed onto textiles such as clothes, shoes, or even face masks in complex patterns and at high resolution, providing a detailed map of human response or exposure.

Graphene Smart Textiles for Heat-Adaptive Clothing

TBMG-3745608/01/2020

Scientists have created a prototype garment to demonstrate dynamic thermal radiation control within a piece of clothing by utilizing the thermal properties and flexibility of graphene. The development also opens the door to new applications such as interactive infrared displays and covert infrared communication on textiles.

Material “Shape-Shifts” in Response to External Forces

TBMG-3747808/01/2020

A self-adapting material was developed that can change its stiffness in response to the applied force. This advancement can someday open the door for materials that can self-reinforce to prepare for increased force or stop further damage; for example, a bone implant or a bridge that can self-reinforce where a high force is applied without inspection and maintenance.

Q&A: Underwater Smart Glue Turns On and Off

TBMG-3721707/01/2020

Bruce Lee, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Michigan Technological University, and his team have developed a process whereby an adhesive can be deactivated by applying a small voltage.

Device Improves Performance of Underactive Bladders

TBMG-3722907/01/2020

Researchers have developed a technology that can monitor bladder volume in real time and can effectively empty a person’s bladder. The breakthrough may open up a new treatment option for patients with underactive bladders in the near future.

Synthetic Material Could Help Heal Injured Tendons and Ligaments

TBMG-3712006/01/2020

University of Sydney Sydney, Australia

Products of Tomorrow: June 2020

TBMG-3702606/01/2020

This column presents technologies that have applications in commercial areas, possibly creating the products of tomorrow. To learn more about each technology, see the contact information provided for that innovation.

Metals Change Surfaces in Response to Heat

TBMG-3703106/01/2020

Just like a chameleon changes its skin color in response to its environment, engineers have found a way for liquid metal — and potentially solid metal — to change its surface structure in response to heat. Treating particles of liquid metal alloys with heat causes them to roughen their surfaces with tiny spheres or nanowires.

High-Tech Printing May Help Eliminate Painful Shots

TBMG-3691605/01/2020

Engineers have created tiny needles that mimic parasites that attach to skin and could replace hypodermic needles. While 3D printing builds objects layer by layer, 4D goes further with smart materials that are programmed to change shape after printing. Time is the fourth dimension that allows materials to morph into new shapes.

Tiny Magnetic Particles Enable Material to Bend, Twist, and Grab

TBMG-3685005/01/2020

A soft polymer material called magnetic shape memory polymer was developed that uses magnetic fields to transform into a variety of shapes. The material is a mixture of three different ingredients, all with unique characteristics: two types of magnetic particles — one for inductive heat and one with strong magnetic attraction — and shape-memory polymers to help lock various shape changes into place. The single system is capable of rapid and reprogrammable shape changes that are lockable and reversible.

Shape Memory Alloy Mechanisms for CubeSats

TBMG-3685305/01/2020

Innovators at NASA’s Glenn Research Center have developed lightweight and reliable mechanisms based on shape memory alloys (SMAs) for small satellites such as CubeSats. SMAs have a unique ability to effect a reversible phase transformation, so that they can withstand being severely deformed and recovered repeatedly. Glenn’s innovation, flown in a successful space mission, uses SMA components in actuators and hinging elements to improve retention, release, and deployment of crucial structures such as solar arrays.

New Graphene-Based Metasurface Capable of Independent Amplitude and Phase Control of Light

TBMG-3688005/01/2020

Researchers described a new strategy of designing metamolecules that incorporates two independently controllable subwavelength meta-atoms. This two-parametric control of the metamolecule secures the complete control of both amplitude and the phase of light.

Smart Bandages Monitor and Tailor Treatment for Chronic Wounds

TBMG-3686605/01/2020

Chronic skin wounds from burns, diabetes, and other medical conditions can overwhelm the regenerative capabilities of the skin and often lead to persistent infections and amputations. Non-healing chronic wounds are a significant medical problem. Patients are often older, non-ambulatory, and limited in their ability to provide self-care, yet non-healing wounds are typically treated in an outpatient setting or at home.

A Multi-Resonant Speed Piezoelectric Beam Device for Harvesting Energy from Vehicle Wheels

2020-01-123604/14/2020

This work analyzes a cantilevered piezoelectric beam device for harvesting energy from the simultaneous rotation and translational vibration of vehicle wheels. The device attaches to the wheel rim so that it displaces tangentially during operation. A lumped-parameter analytical model for the coupled electromechanical system is derived. The device has one natural frequency that is speed-dependent because of centripetal acceleration affecting the total stiffness of the device. Even though the device has one natural frequency, it experiences three resonances as the rotation speed varies. One resonance occurs when the rotation speed coincides with the speed-dependent natural frequency of the device. The other two resonances are associated with excitations from the vibration of the vehicle wheel. The device’s parameters are chosen so that these three resonances occur when the wheel travels near 30 mph, 55 mph, and 70 mph. There are two excitation frequencies that give these resonant speeds

Cooley, Christopher

Deformation Sensing in Soft Bio-Surrogate Materials

TBMG-3660904/01/2020

Deformation sensing in and on soft materials has garnered increased interest with the advancement of emerging technologies such as soft robotics, wearable computing, and biomedical applications. These applications have a need for quantification of stretching-contraction deformations along a single-axis as well as multi-directional deformation quantifications (i.e. bending, pressure, membrane stretch, planar and torsional shear).

Scientists Create Supersensitive Nanomaterials for DNA Diagnostics and Targeted Drug Delivery

TBMG-3640604/01/2020

In 1900, German physician Paul Ehrlich came up with the notion of a “magic bullet.” The basic idea is to inject a patient with smart particles capable of finding, recognizing, and treating a disease. Medicine has pursued the magic bullet ever since.

Device Harvests Energy from Low-Frequency Vibrations

TBMG-3638304/01/2020

Energy harvesting devices are in high demand to power the millions of devices that make up the Internet of Things. By providing continuous power to a rechargeable battery or supercapacitor, energy harvesters can reduce the labor cost of changing out batteries when they fail and keep dead batteries out of landfills.

Leading Women in Engineering & Science: Yolita Wildman Nugent, Director, Advanced Soft Systems Integration, Flex

TBMG-3625003/01/2020

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