SMART MATERIALS—MATERIALS THAT ADAPT TO CHANGING CONDITIONS - Chemistry: Notable Research and Discoveries - page 122

Components of some cell phones contain shape memory polymers.
(Jerry Mason/Photo Researchers, Inc.)
Materials that can remember their shape have plenty of uses in a va-
riety of situations, whether implanted in the body or orbiting in space.
An important potential role in the development of adjustable airplanes
will be described in a later section.
Other materials have been found that have shape memories. Shape-
memory polymers are plastics that have properties similar to SMAs.
Pliable materials have recently been found that can be stretched up to
twice their normal length, yet regain their shape when heated. Having
a smart plastic material opens up applications of a softer, more flexible
nature, such as clothing.
SMArTFIBErS—AndSMArTCloTHES
Clothes have long been made of natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and
silk. But beginning in the 20th century, textile manufactures have had
other options. Nylon was the first synthetic (human-made) fiber, intro-
duced in 1939. Others, such as polyester and spandex, followed. These