Development Of Multifunctional And Intelligent Composites

(1) Functional composites

At present, many kinds of functional composites mentioned above have been applied, but from the perspective of development, they are far from enough. Functional composites cover a wide range. In terms of electrical functions, there are conduction, superconductivity, insulation, wave absorption (electromagnetic wave), semiconduction, shielding or transmitting electromagnetic wave, piezoelectric and electrostrictive; In terms of magnetic functions, there are permanent magnets, soft magnets, magnetic shielding and magnetostriction; In terms of optical functions, there are light transmission, selective filtering, photochromism, photoluminescence, laser resistance, X-ray shielding and X-ray transmission; In terms of acoustic functions, there are sound absorption, sonar, anti sonar, etc; In terms of thermal functions, there are heat conduction, thermal insulation and heat protection, ablation resistance, flame retardancy, thermal radiation, etc; In terms of mechanical functions, there are damping and vibration reduction, self lubrication, wear resistance, sealing, bulletproof armor, etc; In terms of chemical functions, there are selective adsorption and separation, corrosion resistance, etc., and others will not be listed. Among the above functions, composite materials can play a role in logistics packaging as main materials or auxiliary materials.

(2) Multifunctional composite materials

Composite materials have the characteristics of multi-component, so they will inevitably develop into multi-functional composite materials. The first is to form composite materials with both functions and structures, which has been confirmed in practical applications. For example, the US military aircraft has a self preserving stealth function, that is, a functional composite material absorbing electromagnetic waves is applied on the aircraft skin to avoid radar tracking, and this composite material is a high-performance structural composite. At present, a multifunctional composite material is being developed, which can absorb both electromagnetic waves and infrared rays and can be used as a structure. It can be said that the development towards multi-function is an inevitable trend to give full play to the advantages of composite materials. It also opens up a broad prospect for the manufacture of special purpose packaging.

(3) Smart composites

Human beings have been expecting materials to have the ability to perceive the external effects and make appropriate responses. At present, sensing functional materials and materials with executive functions have started to be compounded together through a certain matrix, and the external information processing system is connected to convey the information given by the sensor to the executive materials, so that they can generate corresponding actions. In this way, smart composite materials and their systems are formed. It can perceive the changes of the external environment and make active response. Its role can be shown in the ability of self diagnosis, self adaptation and self repair. Only from the aspect of packaging, it is expected that smart composite materials will play a huge role in the quality change of inner packaging goods, damage and pollution during storage and transportation.

(4) Intelligent composite materials

Intelligent composite is the highest form of functional materials. In fact, it is a development from smart composite materials to self decision-making ability. It relies on the artificial intelligence system added in the external information processing system to analyze information, make decisions, command and execute materials, and make optimal choices. In this way, higher requirements are put forward for the sensitivity, accuracy and response speed of the sensing part and the actuating part of the material, which also shows a beautiful blueprint for the future of packaging.