Emerging Materials and Nanotechnology

Next-Generation Materials

Advances in health care, energy, computing and numerous other fields depend on new findings in materials science. Next-generation materials include superomniphobic materials which are inspired by water bugs, super-light materials and active materials that react to changes in their environment and smart materials. Auxetic materials when stretched convert into a thicker perpendicular to the applied force that arises due to their hinge-like structures. Auxetics are useful in applications such as body armour, packing material, robust shock absorbing material, and sponge mops, knee and elbow pads. Thermally activated bimetals (Thermo-bimetals) allow for panes of glass capable of becoming shades when exposed to the sun. Smart materials are designed materials having one or more properties that can be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli, such as stress, temperature, moisture, pH, electric or magnetic fields.