In order to convert the normal material into a smart material it must be designed in such away that makes one or more of its properties to be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli.
Based on that, I think that making a smart material must be started from a need to a specific response for a given change in the environment.
As usual, the design process starts with a conceptual framework followed by embodiment and evaluation.
MONPs surface can be effectively decorated with various materials, such as functional polymers, carbon polymers, QDs, which can response according to the external stimuli(light, temperature, pH, magnetism etc.).