what are smart materials ?
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Smart materials are materials that, due to a change in their crystalline structure (martensitic to austenitic structure and back if I remember correctly), change also their shape with a temperature change.  It can go from electrical connectors that, when cold, become bigger thus allowing an easy connection and that, at room temperature, create a secure connection AND also easy to break without damage.  There was, I think, also an artist that created a statue that was changing from a woman's to a man's shape depending on temperature.\nThese materials can be very useful in the space industry where they can be used to activate the deployment of a solar panel, for example.\n\nThese materials are not limited to a change of shape with temperature but all changes of physical properties can be achieved with a change in their environment (a viscosity change or a change of light transmittance with a change in the electrical current flowing through the material, etc...)
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You can find the general structures through simple web searches.  Remember some of these are polymers and can have different versions based on chain lengths and copolymers.
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There is a HUGE amount of infomation on metallurgy out there, but if you want an interesting search, try searching out why the HUBBLE Space Telescope failed - there was some deformed metal and the reason the optics tests passed before launch is an interesting story about materials, optics and people.\n\nI'm a metallurgist, and of all the exotic materials it turns out steel has the greatest range of properties (from annealed iron all the way up to ball bearing steel and stainless).  Titanium is interesting stuff (good for corrosion and medium temps (500°F-1000°F), but aluminum can have the highest density-to-strength ratio.  Research on how tungsten filaments are made is interesting too.  \n\nMark Twain said that a metallurgy student would learn more making his own pocket knife by digging the ore out of the ground, refining it into steel, and fabricating the knife than he would by book learning - do you have a passion you're particularly interesting in?  Learning about something you're interested in is effortless.\n\nAnother optics subject of interest is what is currently going on in semiconductor photolithography - they are reaching the limits of what can be done with light and refractive materials (CaF lenses) and immersion lithography (see link below).
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High-temperature super conducting materials are ideal for any application that requires heat transfer such as cookware, clothing irons, welding, fire rescue equipment.
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make any sensing devices, which has the altest features. u can get a lot abt them on internet and modify them for the latest demands
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Some types of metal and other magnets.
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In 35 plus years of experience of materials sales , I can say without a doubt , that the materials used today are :\n1. Friendlier to the environment  2. More affordable \n3. Are safer to use  4. When used according to Manufacturer's recomendations, will provide superior performance.   \nIn summary : Developments in materials through research has made the above possible!
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Hazerdous materials. Like flamable matierials in a resturaunt by the gas stove.
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I don't know, but my husband's a mech. Engineer and he says:\nwww.matweb.com\nhas just about every material used and their engineering specs.  Did you check there?
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Look up Composites Green Guide Parts 3&4 on the Internet.
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Embedded systems are all those computers/microprocessors that are built into everyday things to make them "smart". \n\nEamples:\nAutomotive compters\nWatches\nMicrowave ovens\niPods\nDVD players\nCash stations\nCell phones\nXerox machines\nDigital cameras\nParking meters\nRoombas
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How about glass, plastic, stone, metal, ...?
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It's been said that any sufficiently advanced science is indistinguishable from magic.  Let's try a few of the older but lesser known ones:\n\nAbout 15/20 years ago material science came up with two new materials which are rather interesting.  The first is Aerogel, a solid which is lighter than air - it will float at room temperature.  The second is called Seagel which is about as heavy as plastic but is as strong as steel, it can be either transparent or opaque and your choice of electrially conductive or not.\n\nHow's that for a start?
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You can find international suppliers at the reference.  It appears that many materials are used including plastic and aluminum.
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The copolymerization of styrene with maleic anhydride creates with a copolymer (SMA) which has a higher glass transition temperature than polystyrene and is chemically reactive with certain functional groups. Thus, SMA polymers are often used in blends or composites where interaction or reaction of the maleic anhydride provides for desirable interfacial effects. The anhydride reaction with primary amines is particularly potent.
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nanotechnology is working with microchips and tiny electrical stuff.
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Wood.  Wood is an insulator.  The other materials conduct electricity.