What are "smart materials"?

Smart materials are defined by their ability to respond dynamically to changes in their environment. This response can manifest in various forms, such as changes in shape, size, color, or other physical properties when subjected to external stimuli, such as temperature, pressure, electric fields, or magnetic fields. This adaptability allows smart materials to be utilized in a range of advanced applications, such as in sensors, actuators, and adaptive structures.

For instance, shape-memory alloys can return to a predetermined shape when heated, while piezoelectric materials generate an electric charge in response to mechanical stress. This capacity for responsiveness is what sets smart materials apart from traditional materials, which typically have static properties that do not change with environmental conditions. The versatility and functionality of smart materials make them increasingly important in fields such as aerospace, robotics, and biomedical engineering.