Plural element composite materials, methods for making and using the same

Abstract

The invention provides composite materials comprising a shape change element and an optical change element, which elements undergo a change in response to an applied stimulus. Also provided are objects that include the subject shape changing materials, as well as methods of making and using the same.

1 . A composite material comprising:
 (a) a shape change component that changes shape in response to a first applied stimulus; and   (b) an optical change component that changes an optical property in response to a second applied stimulus.   
     
     
         2 . The composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said shape change component is a shape memory component. 
     
     
         3 . The composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein optical change component is a chromic change component. 
     
     
         4 . The composite material according to  claim 1 , said first applied stimulus is a temperature change. 
     
     
         5 . The composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said first applied stimulus is a light change. 
     
     
         6 . The composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said second applied stimulus is a temperature change. 
     
     
         7 . The composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said second applied stimulus is a light change. 
     
     
         8 . The composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said first applied stimulus and second applied stimulus are the same. 
     
     
         9 . The composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said first applied stimulus and second applied stimulus are different. 
     
     
         10 . The composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said composite material undergoes a shape and optical change simultaneously. 
     
     
         11 . The composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said composite material undergoes a shape and optical change sequentially. 
     
     
         12 . The composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said composite material is a plastic. 
     
     
         13 . The composite material according to  claim 12 , wherein said shape change and optical change components are comolded. 
     
     
         14 . The composite material according to  claim 12 , wherein said optical change component is positioned on at least one surface of said shape change component. 
     
     
         15 . The composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said composite material is a putty. 
     
     
         16 . The composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said composite material comprises at least one additional component. 
     
     
         17 . The composite material according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one additional component modifies the properts of said material. 
     
     
         18 . The composite material according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one additional component is an inert filler. 
     
     
         19 . A toy comprising a composite material according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . The toy according to  claim 19 , wherein said toy is a bath toy. 
     
     
         21 . The toy according to  claim 19 , wherein said toy comprises a play set. 
     
     
         22 . The toy according to  claim 19 , wherein said toy comprises a play piece. 
     
     
         23 . The toy according to  claim 19 , wherein said toy is a doll. 
     
     
         24 . The toy according to  claim 20 , wherein said doll comprises hair that comprises said composite material. 
     
     
         25 . A cooking utensil comprising a composite material according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         26 . The cooking utensil according to  claim 25 , wherein said utensil is a cooking indicator. 
     
     
         27 . A writing element comprising a composite material according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         28 . An dental device comprising a composite material according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         29 . A method comprising:
 contacting:
 (a) a shape change component that changes shape in response to a first applied stimulus; and 
 (b) an optical change component that changes an optical property in response to a second applied stimulus; 
   with each other to produce a composite material.