Abstract
The paper focusses on characterization and evaluation of materials exhibiting 'smart' behaviour. Salt containing The paper focusses on characterization and evaluation of materials exhibiting 'smart'behaviour. Salt containing complexes containing excess water may be shown to have a response to thermal stimuli in which the contraction caused by 'outward' water flow during heating compensates the expected thermal expansion to result in no overall change in dimension. Such materials, particularly if they contain reservoirs created by porosities, can both release and gain significant quantities of ions such as fluoride, depending upon the ambient environment. The balance of water flow and the associated ions may have a significant effect on the formation of surface films (biofilms) which the material may retain for the purposes of protection from wear or for the concentration of ionic species or may wish to reject when the film becomes acidic and has the potential to be cariogenic or erosive to the material.
