Modern materials.

It has thermoplastic properties and can become malleable (rough) enough to shape in temperatures as low as 75 degrees C; essentially it becomes soft enough to form in hot water.

Optical Fibre is extruded (pressed) glass or plastic, slightly thicker than a human hair. It can function as a light pipe to transmit light between the two ends of the fibre. 

Liquid crystals are carbon based compounds which in their natural form allow light to pass through. If a small voltage is applied they block the path which is what makes them visible. OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) are a newer development of LCD’s where each pixel is its own light source.

It is glued laminated wood and is the use of several pieces of timber that are glued together to create strong, composite components for use in buildings, bridges and other structures. It is stronger and more stable

These include polymer coated mild steel and aluminium. The polymer (PET or PP) can be applied as a transparent material or a range of colours. They are of food quality so they don’t taint the food and are commonly used for the inside of tin cans. Nickel coated steels are used where a non corrosive surface is required.

Aluminium can be foamed in much the same way as polymers like Polystyrene. It results in a lightweight material that can be sandwiched between solid sheets for reduced weight. This allows for greater impact resistance; the solid sheet absorbs the impact which is dispersed through the foam. 

Titanium has a very high strength to weight ratio which makes it suitable for the aerospace and medical industries. It is also used in jewellery, sports equipment and even colours for paints. It is corrosion resistant and does not react with bodily fluids.

Precious metals such as Gold and Silver are suspended in clay which evaporates in a kiln allowing the metals to fuse together at around 650 degrees. It can be moulded and sculpted as easily as plasticine. However, it is very expensive costing much more than the precious metal it contains.

These are very fine polymer based fibres, usually made from Polyamide (Nylon) or Polyester, that have been designed to mimic microstructures found in nature. They are waterproof and lightweight and are used in the sports and leisure industries.

A phase change material is a substance with a high heat of fusion which, melting and solidifying at a certain temperature, is capable of storing and releasing large amounts of energy. Heat is absorbed or released when the material changes from solid to liquid and vice versa.

This material is developed by NASA to reduce glare on the visors of space helmets as well as coating for space vehicles. Light is both transmitted and reflected by the glass which is coated in layers of metal oxides and quartz crystals. The glass reflects different colour light which give the appearance of changing colour as you look at it from different angles.

A recently discovered material which is a single carbon thick but 100 times stronger then hypothetical steel (steel cannot exist in a single atom thickness). Despite its strength, it is almost invisible and incredibly light.