The kit includes 100g smart putty, 500g polymorph and 500g bag of hydrogel
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 softens and becomes easily mouldable at just 62¼C
It can be heated with just hot water or a hairdryer and can then be moulded by hand to create prototypes and solve manufacturing problems currently outside the capacity of other materials
Polymorph can be reused simply by reheating, the material can also be coloured when soft by adding a small amount of food dye
Smart putty has been available for a long time as an amusement, but this viscoelastic polymer has serious engineering applications
Soft, stretchy and bendy when moved slowly, solid when trying to move quickly or impacted
It has the remarkable property that it usually behaves as a soft mouldable plastic (like chewing gum), but instantly becomes a rubber if impacted and bounces like a ball
It can also float in a liquid and will form a puddle given enough time
It is a great demonstration of an unusual polymer, a useful adhesive and can used in many creative and fun activities
Hydrogel: This completely non‐toxic powder absorbs up to 500 times its own weight in water and is the 'secret' ingredient used in applications ranging from babies nappies to perpetual growing plants
When exposed to water, the powder transforms into a gel which holds the water for an extended period
Place a small pile of Hydrogel in the centre of a Petri‐dish and add drops of water from a syringe or pipette
The Hydrogel will swell until it can absorb no more water
This can be a simple quantitative experiment by weighing before and after water absorption
This grade of Hydrogel can also be used in the lab or prep‐room to assist the growth of small plants, especially over weekends
The amount added to the soil or growing medium needs to be determined by trial and error
