Smart Materials Revolutionizing Automotive Technology: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions

This review paper discussed the incorporation of smart materials within the automotive industry, outlining their applications, associated difficulties, as well as future scope. SMAs, Piezoelectric materials, MR Fluids, EAPs, and Thermoelectric materials are smart materials with exceptional properties that allow them to actively react to external environmental stimuli. These materials are applied in structural elements, sensors and actuators, energy management systems, as well as passenger and driver convenience and safety. Despite their potential to boost vehicle safety and environmental conservation, some challenges could deter their massive adoption. These include system integration issues, scalability considerations, and constraints associated with their implementation. These barriers can be overcome and these materials and their potential can be explored in full through interdisciplinary work and rapid technological development to provide a more optimized driver experience as well as environmental preservation. Potential future research in this direction is associated with material development, implementation in new fields, and applied technologies such as AI, machine learning, and autonomous driving.