MAKE: Blog: Our kind of catalog

Our kind of catalog

Make: Books indexer extraordinaire Patti Schiendelman sent us a link to this seriously cool UK catalog of "Weird, smart, strange, bizarre, electronic, technology resources and materials." Hey, that sounds like our market demo!

Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) The material is a cast thermo-setting resin with extraordinary memory properties. Most polymers have some 'memory' but this one can be stretched by up to 200% and still remember its original condition. When heated above 70°C, it softens, and can be shaped by stretching, bending, blowing etc. When cool it retains its new shape, but if the material is re-heated to 70°C, it reverts to its flat sheet condition. Sheet size is approximately 3mm thick x 100mm x 150mm.

Chameleon Nano Flakes This material consists of nano-size silicon flakes each covered with a titanium compound. The flakes possess amazing light scattering properties if mixed with clear varnishes or polymers. An object thus coated - e.g., a complete car - will change colour completely according to the viewing angle. The material can be mixed into practically any clear medium to produce optical 'fireworks' and colourchanging characteristics. 5g (approx. 20ml) pot (colour shift: red to green).

Polymorph Polymorph is one of a new generation of commercial polymers set to have a major impact on model making and prototyping. This polymer has all the characteristics of a tough "engineering" material yet it fuses and becomes easily mouldable at just 62°C. It can be heated with just hot water or a hairdryer and moulded by hand to create prototypes and solve manufacturing problems currently outside the capacity of other materials.

MUTR Teaching Resources

Related:

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Adam Wolf on April 9, 2008 at 2:03 PM

Polymorph is polycaprolactone

Polymorph is the UK brand of polycaprolactone, the same stuff as Shapelock and Friendly Plastic.

Posted by: pal002 on April 9, 2008 at 2:14 PM

Shape Memory Polymer is what the PAL keys were made of in Metal Gear Solid. WANT.

Posted by: Collin Cunningham on April 9, 2008 at 4:34 PM

mmmmm . . .

ferrofluid!
http://www.mutr.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=418_467&products_id=382

Posted by: shawn on April 9, 2008 at 7:36 PM

Where can you buy this stuff in the US?

Posted by: J_Hodgie on April 10, 2008 at 5:24 AM

I've actually seen an entire van covered by the nano flakes, it changed from purple through blue to green.

Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now

Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out... Welcome to the Make Blog!

Features and more @ MAKE!

Get MAKE 14 - Subscribe or on newsstands!

Add MAKE to iGoogle - GoogleGoogle.
Add MAKE to your RSS reader - Real simple.

Why advertise on MAKE?
Read what folks are saying about us!

Click here to advertise on MAKE!

Phillip Torrone
Senior Editor
Tel: 707-827-7311

Gareth Branwyn
Robot Maker

Kip Kay
Video Maker

Jonah Brucker-Cohen
Artist / Researcher

Suggest a Site!

Natalie Zee Drieu
Senior Editor
CRAFT

Becky Stern
Culture jammer

Collin Cunningham
Sound Maker

Marc de Vinck
CNC Maker

Current Podcast

Maker's Notebook Pocket - CRAFT Video Podcast Download the MP4 Video or HD Version | Subscribe to CRAFT in iTunes Love your Maker's Notebook, but wish it had a pocket? Well, in this video I'll show you how easy it is to add your own. This... More...

Get the Make blog sent via email

Enter your email to receive the Make blog each day:

WOW! Thanks to everyone involved with Maker Faire Bay Area: attendees, makers, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, and crew...it was AMAZING! Over 400 Makers and 60,000+ attendees! Be sure to check out the photos @ Flickr, and our Maker Faire posts for all the action! The next scheduled Maker Faire is Austin: Oct. 18th & 19th, 2008 - Travis County Expo Center!