Work smarter, not harder: what are smart materials?

Posted on: 4 December, 2024

Smart materials have the potential to transform the way we approach the design, construction and management of buildings. Here’s how they work, with several key examples of their applications.

The way we build is changing. Thanks to technology like 3D printing and innovative practices like the modern methods of construction, the built environment is finding new ways to improve efficiency, reduce wastage and address its contribution to climate change.

However, it’s not just the tools of the trade that are changing – it’s also the materials. Today, new, versatile alternatives to the traditional components that make up our infrastructure are changing the way we approach construction. These ‘smart materials’

So what exactly are smart materials, and what impact will they have on the built environment?

What are smart materials?

Smart materials are materials that change when they interact with certain external stimuli. These properties allow them to be manipulated and mean they can reverse to their original shape. Smart materials are also often referred to as intelligent or responsive materials.

5 types of smart materials

Here are five of the most common types of smart materials:

• Piezoelectric materials: These advanced materials are able to produce an electrical current from mechanical energy. Interestingly, they also operate in reverse, as they will modify their shape in response to electrical energy.

• Shape memory materials: Shape memory materials, such as metal shape memory alloys, change their shape when exposed to a heat source and other stimuli, but can be returned to their original form.

• Magnetorheological materials: As the name suggests, this class of materials changes when exposed to magnetic fields. One notable application is how they’re used in shock absorbers and vibration dampers.

• Photoactive materials: These are modern materials that can absorb light and convert it into chemical or electrical energy.

• Chromactive materials: Chromactive materials change colour in response to fluctuations in light, pressure and temperature.

Why smart materials matter for the built environment

Smart materials have a wide range of applications for the built environment and how we approach the construction process. Some of the key benefits they can offer the sector include:

Improved energy efficiency

It’s no secret that the built environment is a significant contributor to global CO2 emissions, and addressing this is high on the agenda for the sector. However, this doesn’t stop once construction is complete.

Along with embodied carbon emissions, operational carbon – the emissions that result from a building’s usage – also need to be addressed. Smart materials that respond to changes in temperature can be utilised to control the amount of heat that enters or leaves a building, reducing the need for heating and, as a result, energy consumption.

Reduced maintenance costs

Another key benefit of smart materials is the impact they can have on maintenance costs.

One example of this is self-healing materials, which have the ability to repair damage and expand their lifespan. Self-healing concrete is a crucial examples and an effective alternative to traditional concrete for the construction industry.

Enhanced structural integrity

With our changing climate, it’s increasingly important that our buildings are structures are safe, durable and able to withstand extreme weather. Smart materials with superhydrophobic coating, for instance, are essentially waterproof, which can protect buildings and structures from heavy rain, floods and water damage.

Aerogels are another example of an innovative material with promising applications for the sector. Frequently used in insulation, this material has generated interest for its thermal and acoustic insulation qualities, meaning it can keep buildings warm and dry. It’s also fire resistant, meaning it has significant implications for fire safety.

Learn more: Building climate resilience into the built environment

Smart materials aren’t without their limitations

Although these innovative materials hold significant promise, they aren’t without potential drawbacks that, for the time being, could limit their adoption in the sector.

The biggest obstacle to the implementation of smart materials in construction is how much they cost, and while their greater longevity can lead to long-term cost savings, their upfront cost will be enough to put off many in the short term.

Another major stumbling block is the rate these materials are being adopted by the sector. This is partly down to existing legislation, building codes and regulations, and the slow pace with which these are updated. Until these are updated to factor in the properties of smart materials, incorporating them into designs and projects will be challenging.

Similarly, there’s also resistance to the adoption of these materials from professionals within the sector, and the reluctance of companies and leaders to champion them will hold back their widescale adoption.

Final thoughts

Smart materials hold significant promise for the built environment, and offer a compelling alternative to traditional materials at a time when the sector looks for ways to embrace sustainability. While cost and regulations remain a limiting factor, there’s no denying the potential these intelligent materials have to change the way we approach construction in the future.