OPTICAL MATERIALS | Smart Optical Materials Thermochromic products are used to darken windows of automobiles, for example, when the internal temperature gets above a specific value.

Thermochromic pigments change colour when their temperature changes. These pigments can be mixed with paint or polymers to give the materials the same colour-changing properties as the pigment. An example of this technology is seen on colour-changing mugs or bath items for children.

Shape memory alloys are mixtures of metals that return to their original shape when heated, similar to shape memory polymers. Again, this type of smart material could be used in sporting equipment and car bodies, as well as certain medical applications, such as surgical plates for joining bone fractures.

Smart materials are materials that are manipulated to respond in a controllable and reversible way, modifying some of their properties as a result of external stimuli such as certain mechanical stress or a certain temperature, among others.

Smart materials have properties that react to changes in their environment. This means that one of their properties can be changed by an external condition, such as temperature, light, pressure, electricity, voltage, pH, or chemical compounds. This change is reversible and can be repeated many times.

With benefits for aerospace, medical, textile, construction, and electronics industries, smart materials improve efficiency and save resources by responding to corrosion, pH changes, water content, temperature, mechanical forces, and much more.

Fluorescent fabrics look ultra bright because of the way the colours absorb and emit light. UV rays react with the colour making them appear bright to the eye. Note that the colour itself never changes, it is just the way our eye sees them, which is why fluorescent fabrics are modern and not smart.

For autonomous systems one can segment the market into the several areas where smart materials are (will be) used, including implant material, sensors and actuators, structural materials, shape memory, smart fluid, alloys, as well as by type of material.

Smart materials are ‘reactive materials’. Their properties can be changed by exposure to stimuli, such as electric and magnetic fields, stress, moisture and temperature.

 Actuator is materials that respond to a stimulus in the formof a mechanical property change suchas a dimensional or a viscosity change.  Actuators are devices used to produce action or motion.

Modern materials refer to the materials with properties that traditional materials do not possess. The chemical or physical properties of these materials can be changed by external factors like temperature, light and electrical charges, so as to meet specific requirements in modern technologies.

Responsive vehicles with smart materials Sensors could send a signal to vehicle controls to change operating conditions, trigger actuators (fluid or electric) or smart electro-sensitive material to improve safety and drivability. The smart material triggered might be a shape memory alloy or polymer.

Smartness describes self-adaptability, self-sensing, memory and multiple functionalities of the materials or structures. These characteristics provide numerous possible applications for these materials and structures in aerospace, manufacturing, civil infrastructure systems, biomechanics and environment.

Aluminum Is A Smart Material For Metal Roofs.

Developed in the mid sixties, memory foam was made for NASA’s aircraft cushions out of an energy responsive material called viscoelastic. Nowadays the comfortable and intelligent molding characteristics make memory foam ideal for pillows to mattresses and more.

Cons of Memory Foam

• Heavier: Due to their high density, some memory foam mattresses are heavier than others.
• Too Hot: Since memory foam uses the heat of your body to conform to its natural shape, some people find that it traps too much heat inside of the mattress.

Memory foam, also known as temper foam, was developed under a NASA contract in the 1970s that set out to improve seat cushioning and crash protection for airline pilots and passengers.

All memory foam contains polyurethane foam, which is composed of three different chemical components: polyols, diisocyanates, and a carbon-based blowing agent. When these three components combine, they create a chemical reaction, which then produces a liquid.

Memory foam may contain isocyanates, which, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Exposure to isocyanates can also lead to chest tightness and asthma.

All memory foam comes from using various heavy industrial chemicals. Some of the isocyanates found in memory foam mattresses can cause harm to the skin. These can also cause respiration problems. Isocyanate compounds irritate skin and are harmful to human health.

Is Memory Foam Safe? Many people sleep on a memory foam mattress every night for years with no ill effects. Even when potentially harmful chemicals are used, these pose more danger during the manufacturing process.

Memory foam is popular among side sleepers due to its close contouring around the shoulders and hips, which can improve alignment and reduce pressure points along the spine.

Cons of a Memory Foam Mattress One of the only complaints about memory foam mattresses is that they sleep warmer than gel or traditional spring mattresses. Many memory foam mattresses trap heat between the layers of foam, so your body heat has nowhere to escape while you’re sleeping.

A memory foam mattress can hurt your back if the mattress is too soft, too firm, too thin, lacks support, is sagging, is placed on the wrong frame, hasn’t had enough time to adjust to your physical characteristics; or simply isn’t a good fit for your body weight, body type, or dominant sleeping position.

Can memory foam cause back pain? A memory foam mattress can cause back pain if you don’t find the firmness level best suited for you. The ideally firm mattress for your sleep position keeps your spine in neutral alignment while relieving your pressure points.

6 Best Mattresses Without Memory Foam to Buy (2021)

• Naturepedic Chorus Organic – Best Overall (Spring)
• Naturepedic – Best Crib Memory Foam Free Mattresses.
• The Idle Latex – Best Free Trial (18 Months)
• PlushBeds Botanical Bliss – Best for Heavy Sleepers.
• Avocado Vegan – Best Mattress Without Wool.

The soft memory foam mattresses cause back pain, neck pain, and bad for the side & back sleepers. And, the firm memory foam mattresses can cause joint pain and feel uncomfortable while sleeping on the side. Few memory foam mattresses are hot and can’t pass airflow perfectly.

It is recommended to wait 24-48 hours before sleeping on a new, memory foam mattress. Your new mattress may not feel exceptional the first night. As the expansion process continues, it will only get better. Once 24 hours have passed, you should have a new bed with what you will call the best mattress you’ve ever owned.

The main difference between memory foam and gel memory foam is heat retention. Traditional memory foam can trap body heat as a side effect of the foam’s density. The gels absorb heat and wick it away—and the more evenly the gels are distributed throughout the bed, the better they are at carrying away body heat.

Memory foam, polyfoam, and latex toppers tend to be most popular with those who suffer from lower back pain. These types of topper mold to the sleeper’s body, relieving pressure while also supporting spinal alignment.