Polymorph (more form) 1000g from Major Brushes - one of a new generation of polymers with all the characteristics of a tough, machinable engineering material, yet fuses and becomes easily mouldable between 30°C and 62°C.

• Can be simply heated with hot water or a domestic hair-dryer
• Mould by hand to create prototypes or solve manufacturing problems currently outside the capacity of other materials
• Applications include: moulding handles and orthopaedic aids, vacuum forming moulds, repairs, modelling, sculpture, stands and mounts, etc.
• Non-hazardous, biodegradable and can be used over and over again
• Supplied complete with application notes
• The material was pioneered for use in schools by the Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP)
• Major brushes type 79910

Polymorph (more form) 500g from Major Brushes - one of a new generation of polymers with all the characteristics of a tough, machinable engineering material, yet fuses and becomes easily mouldable between 30°C and 62°C.

• Can be simply heated with hot water or a domestic hair-dryer
• Mould by hand to create prototypes or solve manufacturing problems currently outside the capacity of other materials
• Applications include: moulding handles and orthopaedic aids, vacuum forming moulds, repairs, modelling, sculpture, stands and mounts, etc.
• Non-hazardous, biodegradable and can be used over and over again
• Supplied complete with application notes
• The material was pioneered for use in schools by the Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP)
• Major brushes type 79912

Ferrofluid can be used in both Science and Design & Technology due to its properties as a magnetic liquid.

• Ferrofluid can stain and is normally required for demonstrations
• Contains alcohol which allows a blob of ferrofluid full movement near a magnet but prevents it sticking to the glass wall
• Ideal for educational investigations and learning about Smart materials
• Supplied in a plastic jar
• A rare earth magnet is also supplied
• Supplied in 10ml container

A blue pigment that changes colour according to lighting conditions. In sunlight or ultra-violet light, the pigment changes colour immediately and dramatically.

• UV warning badges
• Security marking
• Advertising signs and posters
• Can be mixed with acrylic media to make a photochromatic paint- add 1 part pigment to 4 parts paint
• Supplied in 3ml packs

Polyox (polyethylene oxide) is a non-toxic, long-chain polymer with a high molar mass. A solution of Polyox (approximately 1% w/v) behaves as an 'elastic liquid' and will even 'self-siphon'.

• Drag some solution from a beaker and it will continue to move
• Can be drawn up into a syringe even though the tip of the syringe is above the liquid level
• Soluble in water due to extensive hydrogen bonding
• 5g is sufficient to make about 500 cubic cm of fluid
• Grade: WSR-301
• Supplied in packs of 100g (average)

Note: Propan-2-ol is required for use with this item but is commonly available at most, if not all schools.

These 5.5mm diameter springs are made from shape memory alloy. At room temperature this spring is soft enough to pull out to approximately 50mm by applying a small amount of force.

• When heated to 70°C by passing an electric current through it (or by other means such as hot water or a heat gun, etc), the spring contracts to its original length with a useful pulling force (equivalent to lifting a 0.5kg weight)
• Length: 20mm (when closed)
• Supplied singly

A convenient starter pack of Smart colour pigments which can be mixed with an acrylic base medium.

• Thermochromic pigment appears coloured at room temperature, but at 27°C the colour disappears
• The phosphorescent pigment absorbs and stores sufficient energy to give a long-lasting afterglow
• Pack contains 5x 1ml syringes of each of four colours plus black, a 1g phial of glow-in-the-dark pigment and a 20ml syringe of acrylic medium

To find out how you can use your Smart colours click here.

A pack containing samples of several smart materials, in a re-usable plastic storage case.

• Polymorph
• Thermocolour sheet
• Phosphorescent 'glow-in-the-dark' sheet
• Magnetic sheet
• Metal Paper
• Rigid PVC foam plastic
• Lenticular sheet
• Anodised-effect card
• Galvanised-effect card
• QTC (quantum tunnelling composite)
• Includes Smart Materials book

Smart putty, or otherwise known as visco-elastic polymer or dilatent compound, is ideal for project work in design & Technology. This material has the remarkable property that it usually behaves as a soft mouldable plastic, similar to chewing gum, but instantly becomes a rubber if impacted.

• Proposed uses in Design & Technology include: demonstration of an unusual polymer; product sample for toy design and packing projects; unusual products that utilise the inherent properties such as very slow flow
• Supplied in 20g container

Smart wire is a shape memory alloy (SMA) that changes its length with a useful pulling force when a small current is passed through it.

• Wire diameter 0.004in
• Supplied in 1m lengths
• Each 1m length provides enough for 10 useable lengths

Smart wire is a shape memory alloy (SMA) that changes its length with a useful pulling force when a small current is passed through it.

• Wire diameter 0.006in
• Supplied in 1m lengths
• Each 1m length provides enough for 10 useable lengths

This thermochromic pigment appears black at room temperature, but at 27°C the colour disappears. When cooled, the colour returns.

• Make up as a liquid paste with any acrylic paint
• For best results mix 1 part thermochromic pigment to 4 parts acrylic based paint
• Available in 5ml packs

This thermochromic pigment appears blue at room temperature, but at 27°C the colour disappears. When cooled, the colour returns.

• Make up as a liquid paste with any acrylic paint
• For best results mix 1 part thermochromic pigment to 4 parts acrylic based paint
• Available in 5ml packs

This thermochromic pigment appears green at room temperature, but at 27°C the colour disappears. When cooled, the colour returns.

• Make up as a liquid paste with any acrylic paint
• For best results mix 1 part thermochromic pigment to 4 parts acrylic based paint
• Available in 5ml packs

This thermochromic pigment appears magenta at room temperature, but at 27°C the colour disappears. When cooled, the colour returns.

• Make up as a liquid paste with any acrylic paint
• For best results mix 1 part thermochromic pigment to 4 parts acrylic based paint
• Available in 5ml packs

This thermochromic pigment appears orange at room temperature, but at 27°C the colour disappears. When cooled, the colour returns.

• Make up as a liquid paste with any acrylic paint
• For best results mix 1 part thermochromic pigment to 4 parts acrylic based paint
• Available in 5ml packs

A sample pack containing a 50 x 150mm thermocolour sheet printed with a thermochromic liquid crystal ink which changes colour when heated above 27°C.

A 1m length of resistance wire is also included which can be attached to the back of the sheet and used as a heating element when a small current is passed through it.

• Use as a heat or temperature indicator
• Heat sensitive jewellery
• Advertising displays and signs
• Supplied complete with information pamphlet

A self-adhesive 150 x 150mm sheet printed with a thermochromic liquid crystal ink which changes colour when heated above 27°C.

• Use as a heat or temperature indicator
• Heat sensitive jewellery
• Advertising displays and signs

Nickel-chrome wire, commonly referred to as Nichrome or resistance wire.

Nichrome wire is ideal for use in applications requiring a heating element and can be used for ignition in applications such as fireworks and pyrotechnics.

• Resistance approx. 1ohm per cm
• Diameter 0.1mm
• Alloy is 80% Nickel / 20% Chrome
• Ideal for use with thermocolour sheets, see order code 06-1270
• Supplied on reels of 10m