Gallery: Material Know-How: Better DIY Through Chemistry
01volpin-props-workshop-of-the-future-wired-design
DIY has exploded in the last decade in large part due to new and cheaper tools. But materials help, too. While the [Arduino](http://www.arduino.cc/) platform and [Sparkfun](http://www.sparkfun.com/) make it possible to rig up awesome electronic contraptions, advances in chemistry and materials science have also given designers a new palette of possibilities. Here are some materials that will make your next DIY project shinier, bouncier, bigger — or just generally more badass. If you are interested in a dangerous chemical that does amazing things master class, check out [Volpin Props](http://volpinprops.blogspot.com/), Harrison Krix's excellent blog (pictured). *Photo: [Sparkfun Electronics](http://www.flickr.com/photos/sparkfun/)*
02instamorph-modeling-plastic-wired-design
__Instamorph__ __Overview:__ Plastic is the most common material in consumer products, but it’s hard for hackers to experiment with. You can saw wood and bang on metal, but playing with plastic typically requires industrial tools and a serious facemask to deal with the noxious fumes. Enter [InstaMorph](http://www.instamorph.com/). This biodegradable plastic in raw pellet form has been synthesized to melt at relatively low temperatures (140°F). That means it can be heated in water or with a heat gun and molded by hand. (But be careful, folks! Molten plastic is dangerous.) Once cooled, InstaMorph has the light weight/high strength properties you expect from other plastics. __Potential Uses:__ Imagine being in a robotics competition and a plastic bracket on a bot breaks. Sometimes molding something by hand can be more effective than creating a design in CAD, finding a machine to produce it, and iterating. __Cost:__ Starter packs cost $9.99, but it’s roughly a dollar an ounce. *Photo: [InstaMorph](http://www.instamorph.com/)*
03modelboard-de-hydrospan-wired-design
__HydroSpan and HydroShrink__ __Overview:__ Ever play with Shrinky-Dinks as a kid? [HydroSpan](http://www.industrialpolymers.com/product-list/hydrospan-100-expanding-resin/) and [HydroShrink](http://www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/CastingMaterials/HydroShrink.htm) are the industrial equivalent. The material’s chemical compounds allow sculptors to cast a model that can grow (or shrink) up to 300 percent of its original size. __Potential Uses:__ Just as resolution improves when you make a digital photo smaller, shrink a sculpture and the imperfections can be smoothed out. Or if you need to scale up, HydroSpan eliminates the need to remodel a design. __Cost:__ Alas, magical materials come with a hefty price tag. A gallon of this growing goo will cost around $130. Photo: [ModellBoard](http://www.modellboard.net/index.php?topic=29393.75)
04sculpey-bend-flex-glow-dark-polymer-clay-wired-design
__Polymer Clay__ __Overview:__ [Polymer](http://www.sculpey.com/) [Clay](http://fimo.com/) is often dismissed by “serious” DIYers because it’s used to make beads, creepy baby doll sculptures, and other kids' crafts. But it can do so much more! It is as moldable as Play-Doh, and after a few minutes in the oven, a model will transform into a hardened piece of PVC plastic. The plastic can be carved after it emerges from the oven and then sanded or manipulated with power tools. Some clays can turn into [rubber](http://www.sculpey.com/products/clays/sculpey-superflex-bake-bend), and others can even have [glow-in-the-dark](http://www.sculpey.com/products/clays/sculpey-glow-dark) properties. __Potential Uses:__ Need to sculpt a master for casting? Check! Want to prototype a rubber tire for your robot? Yup! Need to create soft touch handles for a new consumer electronics prototype? That too! __Cost:__ A 2-ounce pack costs about $2.00. Polymer Clay is just about as cheap and versatile as you’re going to get. Find it at almost any craft store. *Photo: [Sculpey](http://www.sculpey.com/products/clays)*
05precious-metal-clay-wired-design
__Precious Metal Clay__ __Overview:__ Precious Metal Clay (PMC) is the higher-value cousin of polymer clay, and the two work in basically the same way. Here the metal is suspended in a binding agent that makes it moldable. The clay is modeled by hand or with simple tools, and when heated the binder burns off creating a sturdy metal part. Parts that have been baked in a kiln can be polished and machined, so the handcrafted Etsy look is not required. __Potential Uses:__ PMC is traditionally used to make jewelry, but if a project calls for metal parts, this material can be a good fit. For those producing a wearable sensor that needs to look sharp or tiny electronics that need a sturdy enclosure, this material will do the trick. __Cost:__ It is *precious* metal clay, so be prepared to pay up. The clay costs approximately $2 per gram, But the real costs come with setup. In order to bake PMC you will need a kiln that can easily cost $500 or more. Photo: [MetalClays.com](http://www.metalclays.com/)
06smoothon-molding-supplies-wired-design
__Smooth-On__ __Overview:__ It’s basically what Dow Chemical would be if it were entirely focused on serving art school grads. __Potential Uses:__ The Smooth-On catalog is like an app store for sculptors. Want to make a giant fantasy sculpture? [There's a goop for that](http://www.smooth-on.com/Sculpture-and-Art-/c1239/index.html). Need fake breaking glass for an indie movie? [There's a goop for that](http://www.smooth-on.com/Special-Effects-an/c1241/index.html). Want to make food-safe molds for cake decorating? [You get the picture](http://www.smooth-on.com/faq_display.php?faq_id=53). If there is something that needs to be made in three dimensions, Smooth-On likely has a chemical concoction to make the process easy. __Cost:__ Starter packs cost around $25, but they can increase in cost rapidly as your project gets bigger. *Photo: [Smooth-On](http://www.smooth-on.com/)*
