Introduction, classification and applications of smart materials: An overview

Abstract

Smart materials are common name for a wide group of different substances. The general feature of all of them is the fact that one or more properties might be significantly altered under controlled condition. The present age is considered to be the smart materials era. Earlier, smart material was defined as the material, which responds to its environments in a timely manner. However, the definition of smart materials has been expanded to the materials that receive, transmit, or process a stimulus and respond by producing a useful effect that may include a signal that the materials are acting upon it. This study focuses on the introduction of smart materials and their classifications. Different applications of smart materials in various fields are also being discussed starting from engineering to the present environment. © 2013 Science Publication.