Smart Materials & Systems (BME306B)

Module – I

Smart materials and structures:

System intelligence- components and classification of smart structures, common smart materials
and associated stimulus-response, Application areas of smart systems

Smart Systems or Intelligent Systems

The systems which incorporate the functions of sensing, actuation and control to describe and
analyze an event/situation to make the decisions based on the data in adaptive or predictive manner
which helps to perform the smart actions are called smart systems

Intelligent systems are technologically advanced machines that perceive and respond to the world
around them. Intelligent systems can take many forms, from automated vacuums such as the
Roomba to facial recognition programs to Amazon's personalized shopping suggestions.

A smart structure (also called as intelligent structure, adaptive structure, and functional structure)
is defined as a structure that is able to sense external stimuli such as pressure, velocity, density, or
temperature change.

A Smart Structure will adjust the stiffness, damping, and material properties to respond to the
loading, and shift the internal stiffness accordingly as it pertains to the demand.

Basic Components of Smart structures:

Three basic components of a smart system are,

ACTUATOR PROCESSOR SENSOR
Example: Smart concrete building (suitable to earth quake areas) Sensor : optical
fibers(embedded in concrete) Processor: smart wires(automatic shrink/expand) Actuator
:chemically active smart materials (fillers preventing crack propagation)
With these components a smart structure has the capability to respond to changing environmental
and operational conditions (such as vibrations and shape change).
Sensors: are the basic elements that detect changes in the environment, record the structural
response ( Stress, strain etc.) and generate appropriate signals which are then sent to control unit.
Control Unit: This element is responsible for data analysis. The control unit gathers all the
information received from sensing device, processes them and based on the given algorithm
reaches the conclusion about further action. Then the signal is sent signal to actuator for performing
operation.
Actuators: are the elements responsible for creating a suitable response / operation to achieve the
function.

Characteristics of Smart Structures

Smart systems typically consist of diverse components:
 Sensors for signal acquisition
 Elements transmitting the information to the command-and-control unit
 Command-and-control units that take decisions and give instructions based on the available
information
 Components transmitting decisions and instructions
 Actuators that perform or trigger the required action

Smart systems are capable of independently sensing a complex environment, analyzing it based
on knowledge, and making appropriate decisions and predictions. This makes them particularly
valuable for a wide variety of application areas. Especially when processes are to be controlled
automatically or large amounts of data are available for decision-making. From autonomous
vehicles that recognize traffic signs, road users, outside temperature, road conditions and other
external factors and react accordingly, to automated lighting control, cleaning and maintenance of
buildings, automatic health monitoring via smart watches, and networked machines in production
– smart systems can be found in almost all areas of life today.

Common smart materials and associated stimulus-response:

Common Smart Materials

Shape Memory alloys

The two most prevalent shape-memory alloys are copper-aluminium-nickel and nickel-titanium
(NiTi), but SMAs can also be created by alloying zinc, copper, gold and iron.
Piezo electric Materials:
Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT). Quartz, Alumina, Topaz. Barium Titanate, Rochelle Salt, Crystals
etc.
Elecrostictive Materials: lead magnesium niobate (PMN), lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate
(PMN-PT), lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT)

Magnetostrictive Materials:
Highly magnetostrictive rare earths (R), principally samarium (Sm), terbium (Tb), and dysprosium
(Dy), were combined with the magnetic transition metals nickel, cobalt, and iron by direct
compound synthesis and by rapid sputtering into amorphous alloys.

Electro-Rheological fluids include ionic and electronic semiconductors, polyelectrolytes, rigid-

rods, and liquid crystal polymers.

Optical Fibre :
Materials. Glass optical fibers are almost always made from silica, but some other materials, such
as fluorozirconate, fluoroaluminate, and chalcogenide glasses as well as crystalline materials like
sapphire, are used for longer-wavelength infrared or other specialized applications.

Application areas of smart systems / Intelligent Systems

Smart systems address environmental, social, and economic challenges such as limited resources,
climate change, population aging, and globalization. Therefore, it is increasingly used in many
fields. Key sectors in this context are transport, healthcare, energy, safety and security, logistics,
ICT and manufacturing.
Intelligent systems will combine the knowledge from various subjects like Data Structures,
Programming, Algorithms, Pattern matching, Machine Learning, AI, Numerical methods,
psychology etc and provide solution to challenges in environment, smart solutions gives us energy
management and its distribution, it also provides smart control of various electrical devices.
Also they provide Smart logistics which gives energy efficient transportation management by
2020, to reduce global emissions by 23%.
Automotive sector
In the automotive sector, through integration of smart systems it will be a key enabler for pre-
crash systems and predictive driver assistance features to reach the goal of the Road Safety Action
Plan to halve the number of traffic deaths by 2020.
Furthermore, smart systems are considered fundamental for sustainable and energy-efficient
mobility, e.g., hybrid and electric traction. Internet of Things Smart systems are useful to
contribute in the development of the future IoT, in which these smart systems provides various
smart functionality to everyday objects like industrial goods in the supply chain, or to various food
products in supply chain.
With the help of RFID technology, real-time sensors, wireless sensors, and response capability,
energy efficiency, as well as networking functionality, objects will become smart objects now-a-
days. These smart objects can support the elderly and disabled people. The close monitoring and
tracking of various food products can improve the food supply in form of quantity and quality.
Smart industrial goods can store information about their origin as well as destination, various
components of food and its usage. Waste disposal can also become a efficient recycle process..
Healthcare In the sector of healthcare, various smart system technology leads various better
diagnostic tools for better treatment through smart systems technology which in turn leads to better
diagnostic tools, to better treatment and quality of life for patients by simultaneously reducing
costs of public healthcare systems. Major developments in this sector are smart miniaturized
devices and artificial organs like artificial pancreas or cochlear implants. For example, Lab-on-a-
chip devices can have sensors which are biochemically developed that detects specific molecular
markers in body fluids or tissue. They can also include various types of functionalities such as
taking samples, preparation of samples, pre-treatment of samples, processing of data and its
storage, implantable systems which can be reabsorbed by the body after use, non-invasive sensors
based on transferral principles, or devices for responsive administration of medication. In
healthcare, smart systems often operate autonomously and within because those systems are able
to provide real-time monitoring, diagnosis, interaction with other devices, and communication
with the patient or physician. Intelligent system and crime analysis
Now-a-days many operations which will used for effective enforcement of law like investigation
of crime and detection of it are intensive to information. For police department, the need for the
advanced information system becomes more critical in today's world. AI will make it much harder
for criminals to get away with physical crime, which may encourage criminals to turn to cyber-
attacks where they can better avoid identification. As well as changing the nature of crime,
machine learning will also affect how financial teams function within organizations. AI is always
accompanied by the fear of unemployment, however a machine’s predictions are only useful if
there are humans to respond to them. As facial recognition software becomes more commonplace,
there’s also potential for disruption in security. Smart phones already use fingerprint identification,
so why not faces too? Imagine using facial recognition to make purchases in store, for example –
think contactless payments, without the card. Another use might be unlocking your house or car
simply by looking at some kind of key screen. It’s these types of cameras and screens that will be
able to recognize when an unauthorized person is trying to break in, as well as domestic AI
assistants with security settings. This isn’t to say that physical crime will be completely eradicated,
but it will become much harder.

Industrial / Automobile Applications

Engine Knock sensors, Pressure Sensors, Sonar equipment, actuators etc., Shock absorbers /
Damping systems, Helicopter blades, Tubes , Wires and Ribbons, Eye Glass Frames

Medical Applications: Dental Wires, Surgical Tools, Ultrasonic cleaners, Bio Engineering,
Reinforcement for arteries and Veins, Ultrasonic Imaging

Defense Applications: Micro Robots and MEMS

Other applications: Electricity Generations, Lighters.

Smart Materials:

Smart materials, also called intelligent or responsive materials are designed materials that have
one or more properties that can be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli,
such as stress, moisture, electric or magnetic fields, light, temperature, pH, or chemical
compounds.
Smart materials are the basis of many applications, including sensors and actuators, or artificial
muscles, particularly as electro active polymers. Smartness describes self-adaptability, self-
sensing, memory and multiple functionalities of the materials or structures.

Properties of Smart Materials

 Sensing Materials and Devices

 Actuation Materials and Device
 Control devices and Techniques
  Self detection and Diagnostic
 Self corrective, Self controlled and Self healing
 Shock absorbing and Damage aresting

Applications of Smart Materials

 Smart switches & actuators

 Safety device, fuse, alarms
 Artificial limbs, blood vessels & muscles
 Adhesive tapes/bands (time bound adhesive property /painless removal/healing property
 Food packaging industry-wrappers
 Smart spoons
 Smart nose & tongue
 Smart clothes (Adaptive to temperature changes)
 Aircraft which will incorporate "smart materials” that will allow the wings of a craft to
change shape for optimal flying conditions.
 "Stealth Bombers“ have ferro fluids on their outer “skin” to make them harder to spot
with radar.
Classification of Smart Materials
1. Active Smart Materials
2. Passive Smart Materials

Active Smart Materials

Are those materials which possess the capacity to modify their geometric or material properties
under the application of electric, thermal or magnetic fields, thereby acquiring an inherent capacity
to transduce energy.
Example: Piezoelectric materials, SMAs, ER fluids and magneto-strictive materials are considered
to be the active smart materials and therefore, they can be used as force transducers and actuators.
SMA has large recovery force, of the order of 700 MPa (105 psi), which can be utilized for
actuation. Similarly piezoelectric materials, which convert electric energy into mechanical force,
are also ‘active’.
Passive Smart Materials:
On the other part, the materials, which are not active, are called passive smart materials. Although
smart, they lack the inherent capability to transduce energy.
Example: Fiber optic material is a good example of a passive smart material. Such materials can
act as sensors but not as actuators or transducers.

TYPES OF SMART MATERIALS

All types of Smart Materials can think on their own and have mental alertness, quick perception,
speed activity, effectiveness, spirited aliveness and intelligence. The different types of Smart Mat
erials are:

A. Shape Memory Alloys

B. Piezo- Electric Materials

C. Electrostictive Materials

D. Magnetostrictive Materials

E. Electro Rheological Fluids

F. Magneto Rheological Fluids

G. Optical Fibres

A. Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs)

Shape Memory Alloys are a unique class of metal alloys that can recover apparent permanent stra
ins when they are heated above a certain temperature. A phase transformation which occurs betw
een these two phases upon heating/cooling is the basis for the unique properties of the SMAs.

The most widely used SMA in engineering fields are 1) Aerospace application 2) Automotive ap
plication 3) Biomedical application 4) SMA coupling of hydraulic lines has impressive applicatio
n in fighter jets, people gathered their great interest in aerospace application. Some of the applica
tions are sealers, actuators, vibration-dampers, etc

B. Piezoelectric Materials
The term piezoelectricity is a blend of two terms: “piezo” which is a Greek term meaning pressur
e and “electricity” referring to electric charges. By the application of stress or strain piezoelectric
material changes the mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice-versa. Similarly, piezoele
ctric actuators convert electrical signals into a mechanical movement which is used for adjusting
mirrors, lenses and various automotive parts.

Applications : In lighters or portable sparkers with a piezofuze a sudden and strong pressure is us
ed to produce a voltage. The spark then ignites the gas. A piezo motor is based on the change in m
echanical shape of a piezoelectric material when an tension is applied. The material produces ultr
asonic or acoustic vibrations and produces a linear or rotary motion. Piezo elements are used in m
usic for acoustic instruments. They are inserted in stringed instruments such as guitar, violin. The
dynamic deformation/vibration of the cords is converted into a small alternating voltage

C. Electrostictive Materials: Electrostrictive materials are similar to piezoelectric materials

in that both are ferroelectric crystals, exhibit a dimensional change upon an applied electric field
or an electric polarization upon an applied mechanical stress. This material has the same properti
es of Piezo electric matrial, but the Mechanical Change proportional to square of the electric field
.

Applications: Electrostriction materials are used in the industry and research as transducers in lo
w dimensional systems such as micro-pumps and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). Th
anks to the high actuation accuracy and lack of hysteresis, they are preferred to piezoelectric mat
erials as thin films.

D. Magnetostrictive Materials: These materials exhibit a change in shape or dimension wh

en subjected to magnetic field. When a magnetic field is applied the boundaries between the dom
ains shift and the domains rotate, both of these effects cause a change in the material's dimension
s.

Applications: Such materials are used in medical devices and industrial vibrators, ultrasonic clea
ning devices, underwater sonar, vibration or noise control systems, and in many other application
s
E. Magneto-Rheological Fluids

Magneto-Rheological Fluids (MRFs) will change their rheological properties like stress and visco
sity on the application of the magnetic field. Magneto-Rheological Fluids (MRFs) are also called
Magneto-Sensitive Smart Materials. Magneto-Rheological Fluids (MRFs) have the properties suc
h as visco-elastic in nature, magnetic property, light in weight, controllable modulus and excellen
t sound absorbing.

Applications: Mechanical engineering. Magneto rheological dampers of various applications hav

e been and continue to be developed. Military and defense. Optics. Automotive. Aerospace. Hum
an prosthesis.

F. Electro-Rheological Fluids

The Electro-Rheological Fluids (ERFs) is the suspension of very small particles in electrical insul
ating fluid when the electric field is applied, they will rapidly form a solid-like structure in the dir
ection of the field. Electro-Rheological Fluids (MRFs) have the properties such as stiff, damping
coefficient is changed in the electric field, high dielectric constant, interfacial bond strength, cons
table rheology and dielectric in nature.

Applications: applications are in ER brakes (think of a brake as a clutch with one side fixed) and
shock absorbers (which can be thought of as closed hydraulic systems where the shock is used to
try to pump fluid through a valve).

E. Optical Fiber

A flexible and transparent fiber which is made by drawing glass/ plastic to a diameter slightly thi
cker than the diameter of the human hair is called Optical Fiber. These are used quite often to tra
nsmit the light between the ends of the fiber. An optical fiber is a cylindrical dielectric waveguide
(nonconducting waveguide) that transmits light along its axis through the process of total internal
reflection. The fiber consists of a core surrounded by a cladding layer, both of which are made of
dielectric materials.
Applications: Lighting and decorations, communication, medical industry, broadcasting, defence,
and mechanical industries extensively utilise optical fibre.