Smart materials are materials that have one or more property that can be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli, such as stress, temperature, moisture, or pH. Active materials and smart structures offer a wealth of new opportunities to human ingenuity and engineering design. Whereas smart structures have the attributes of adaptability, flexibility, and even 'intelligence', the active materials are the enabling factors that make smart composite structures possible. This new Major Reference Work on smart materials provides a full and comprehensive source of information for both researchers and practitioners on the fundamental and recent developments in the fields of design, development, manufacturing and application of smart materials. Comprehensive subject coverage across the whole field of Smart Materials in one integrated resource In-depth explanation of the latest developments and research topics Thematically arranged to allow the user to easily find what they need

The book provides a pedagogical approach that emphasizes the physical processes of active materials and the design and control of engineering systems. It will also be a reference text for practicing engineers who might understand the basic principles of active materials but have an interest in learning more about specific applications. The text includes a number of worked examples, design problems, and homework problems (with a solutions manual) that will be useful for both instructors and practicing engineers.

Explores State-of-the-Art Work from the World's Foremost Scientists, Engineers, Educators, and Practitioners in the FieldWhy use smart materials?Since most smart materials do not add mass, engineers can endow structures with built-in responses to a myriad of contingencies. In their various forms, these materials can adapt to their environments by c

"This set of books represents a detailed compendium of authoritative, research-based entries that define the contemporary state of knowledge on technology"--Provided by publisher.

Dynamics of Smart Structures is a practical, concise and integrated text that provides an introduction to the fundamental principles of a field that has evolved over the recent years into an independent and identifiable subject area. Bringing together the concepts, techniques and systems associated with the dynamics and control of smart structures, it comprehensively reviews the differing smart materials that are employed in the development of the smart structures and covers several recent developments in the field of structural dynamics. Dynamics of Smart Structures has been developed to complement the author's new interdisciplinary programme of study at Queen Mary, University of London that includes courses on emerging and new technologies such as biomimetic robotics, smart composite structures, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and their applications and prosthetic control systems. It includes chapters on smart materials and structures, transducers for smart structures, fundamentals of structural control, dynamics of continuous structures, dynamics of plates and plate-like structures, dynamics of piezoelectric media, mechanics of electro-actuated composite structures, dynamics of thermo-elastic media: shape memory alloys, and controller designs for flexible structures.

The complete and authoritative guide to modern packaging technologies —updated and expanded From A to Z, The Wiley Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology, Third Edition covers all aspects of packaging technologies essential to the food and pharmaceutical industries, among others. This edition has been thoroughly updated and expanded to include important innovations and changes in materials, processes, and technologies that have occurred over the past decade. It is an invaluable resource for packaging technologists, scientists and engineers, students and educators, packaging material suppliers, packaging converters, packaging machinery manufacturers, processors, retailers, and regulatory agencies. In addition to updating and improving articles from the previous edition, new articles are also added to cover the recent advances and developments in packaging. Content new to this edition includes: Advanced packaging materials such as antimicrobial materials, biobased materials, nanocomposite materials, ceramic-coated films, and perforated films Advanced packaging technologies such as active and intelligent packaging, radio frequency identification (RFID), controlled release packaging, smart blending, nanotechnology, biosensor technology, and package integrity inspection Various aspects important to packaging such as sustainable packaging, migration, lipid oxidation, light protection, and intellectual property Contributions from experts in all-important aspects of packaging Extensive cross-referencing and easy-to-access information on all subjects Large, double-column format for easy reference

The Concise Encyclopedia of Composite Materials provides a full and up-to-date account of composite materials, particularly fiber composites.

Encyclopedia of the Alkaline Earth Compounds is a compilation describing the physical and chemical properties of all of the alkaline earth compounds that have been elucidated to date in the scientific literature. These compounds are used in applications such as LEDs and electronic devices such as smart phones and tablet computers. Preparation methods for each compound are presented to show which techniques have been successful. Structures and phase diagrams are presented where applicable to aid in understanding the complexities of the topics discussed. With concise descriptions presenting the chemical, physical and electrical properties of any given compound, this subject matter will serve as an introduction to the field. This compendium is vital for students and scientific researchers in all fields of scientific endeavors, including non-chemists. 2013 Honorable Mention in Chemistry & Physics from the Association of American Publishers' PROSE Awards Presents a systematic coverage of all known alkaline earth inorganic compounds and their properties Provides a clear, consistent presentation based on groups facilitatating easy comparisons Includes the structure of all the compounds in high quality full-color graphics Summarizes all currently known properties of the transition metals compounds Lists the uses and applications of these compounds in electronics, energy, and catalysis

The Polymeric Materials Encyclopedia presents state-of-the-art research and development on the synthesis, properties, and applications of polymeric materials. This groundbreaking work includes the largest number of contributors in the world for a reference publication in polymer science, and examines many fields not covered in any other reference. With multiple articles on many subjects, the encyclopedia offers you a broad-based perspective on a multitude of topics, as well as detailed research information, figures, tables, illustrations, and references. Updates published as new research unfolds will continue to provide you with the latest advances in polymer science, and will keep the encyclopedia at the forefront of the field well into the future. From novices to experienced researchers in the field, anyone and everyone working in polymer science today needs this complete assessment of the state of the art. The entire 12-volume set will be available in your choice of printed or CD-ROM format.

"Smart" materials respond to environmental stimuli with particular changes in some variables. For that reason they are often also called responsive materials. Depending on changes in some external conditions, "smart" materials change either their properties (mechanical, electrical, appearance), their structure or composition, or their functions. Mostly, "smart" materials are embedded in systems whose inherent properties can be favourably changed to meet performance needs. Smart materials and structures have widespread applications in: 1. Materials science: composites, ceramics, processing science, interface science, sensor/actuator materials, chiral materials, conducting and chiral polymers, electrochromic materials, liquid crystals, molecular-level smart materials, biomaterials. 2. Sensing and actuation: electromagnetic, acoustic, chemical and mechanical sensing and actuation, single-measurand sensors, multiplexed multimeasurand distributed sensors and actuators, sensor/actuator signal processing, compatibility of sensors and actuators with conventional and advanced materials, smart sensors for materials and composites processing. 3. Optics and electromagnetics: optical fibre technology, active and adaptive optical systems and components, tunable high-dielectric phase shifters, tunable surface control. 4. Structures: smart skins for drag and turbulence control, other applications in aerospace/hydrospace structures, civil infrastructures, transportation vehicles, manufacturing equipment, repairability and maintainability. 5. Control: structural acoustic control, distributed control, analogue and digital feedback control, real-time implementation, adaptive structure stability, damage implications for structural control. 6. Information processing: neural networks, data processing, data visualisation and reliability. This book presents leading new research from around the globe in this field.