This book contains the papers presented at the conference on OC Mathematical Models and Methods for Smart MaterialsOCO, held in Italy in 2001. The papers are divided into four parts: OCOMethods in Materials ScienceOCO deals mainly with mathematical techniques for the investigation of physical systems, such as liquid crystals, materials with internal variables, amorphous materials, and thermoelastic materials. Also, techniques are exhibited for the analysis of stability and controllability of classical models of continuum mechanics and of dynamical systems.OCOModelling of Smart MaterialsOCO is devoted to models of superfluids, superconductors, materials with memory, nonlinear elastic solids, and damaged materials. In the elaboration of the models, thermodynamic aspects play a central role in the characterization of the constitutive properties.OCOWell-Posedness in Materials with MemoryOCO deals with existence, uniqueness and stability for the solution of problems, most often expressed by integrodifferential equations, which involve materials with fading memory. Also, attention is given to exponential decay in viscoelasticity, inverse problems in heat conduction with memory, and automatic control for parabolic equations.OCOAnalytic Problems in Phase TransitionsOCO discusses nonlinear partial differential equations associated with phase transitions, and hysteresis, possibly involving fading memory effects. Particular applications are developed for the phase-field model with memory, the Stefan problem with a Cattaneo-type equation, the hysteresis in thermo-visco-plasticity, and the solid-solid phase transition."

This book describes several novel applications currently under investigation that exploit the unique actuator and sensor capabilities of smart material compounds. In addition to present and projected applications, this book provides comprehensive coverage of both linear and nonlinear modeling techniques necessary to characterize materials in a manner that facilitates transducer design and control development. The author focuses on ferroelectric, magnetic, and shape memory compounds and also addresses applications exploiting amorphous and ionic polymers, magnetorheological compounds, and fiber optic sensors. By providing a unified treatment of both linear and nonlinear characterization frameworks, Smart Material Systems: Model Development encompasses both low to moderate drive levels, which constitute the primary focus of most present texts, and the high drive regimes dictated by present and future applications. This will significantly enhance the design of transducers and control systems which exploit the unique actuator and sensor capabilities provided by smart material compounds.

This collection of cutting-edge papers, written by leading authors in honor of Professor Jacob Aboudi, covers a wide spectrum of topics in the field, presents both theoretical and experimental approaches, and suggests directions for possible future research.

Although several books and conference proceedings have already appeared dealing with either the mathematical aspects or applications of homogenization theory, there seems to be no comprehensive volume dealing with both aspects. The present volume is meant to fill this gap, at least partially, and deals with recent developments in nonlinear homogenization emphasizing applications of current interest. It contains thirteen key lectures presented at the NATO Advanced Workshop on Nonlinear Homogenization and Its Applications to Composites, Polycrystals and Smart Materials. The list of thirty one contributed papers is also appended. The key lectures cover both fundamental, mathematical aspects of homogenization, including nonconvex and stochastic problems, as well as several applications in micromechanics, thin films, smart materials, and structural and topology optimization. One lecture deals with a topic important for nanomaterials: the passage from discrete to continuum problems by using nonlinear homogenization methods. Some papers reveal the role of parameterized or Young measures in description of microstructures and in optimal design. Other papers deal with recently developed methods – both analytical and computational – for estimating the effective behavior and field fluctuations in composites and polycrystals with nonlinear constitutive behavior. All in all, the volume offers a cross-section of current activity in nonlinear homogenization including a broad range of physical and engineering applications. The careful reader will be able to identify challenging open problems in this still evolving field. For instance, there is the need to improve bounding techniques for nonconvex problems, as well as for solving geometrically nonlinear optimum shape-design problems, using relaxation and homogenization methods.

Smart materials have been categorized employing taxonomical methods used in classification of cybernetics systems. This approach has allowed the systematization of the variety of smart materials (both developed and conceptualized) as well to substantiate the three-stage process of the materials' making. This book proposes a phenomenological model d

This book contains the papers presented at the conference on “Mathematical Models and Methods for Smart Materials”, held in Italy in 2001. The papers are divided into four parts:”Methods in Materials Science” deals mainly with mathematical techniques for the investigation of physical systems, such as liquid crystals, materials with internal variables, amorphous materials, and thermoelastic materials. Also, techniques are exhibited for the analysis of stability and controllability of classical models of continuum mechanics and of dynamical systems.”Modelling of Smart Materials” is devoted to models of superfluids, superconductors, materials with memory, nonlinear elastic solids, and damaged materials. In the elaboration of the models, thermodynamic aspects play a central role in the characterization of the constitutive properties.”Well-Posedness in Materials with Memory” deals with existence, uniqueness and stability for the solution of problems, most often expressed by integrodifferential equations, which involve materials with fading memory. Also, attention is given to exponential decay in viscoelasticity, inverse problems in heat conduction with memory, and automatic control for parabolic equations.”Analytic Problems in Phase Transitions” discusses nonlinear partial differential equations associated with phase transitions, and hysteresis, possibly involving fading memory effects. Particular applications are developed for the phase-field model with memory, the Stefan problem with a Cattaneo-type equation, the hysteresis in thermo-visco-plasticity, and the solid-solid phase transition.

This volume presents a collection of contributions on advanced approaches of continuum mechanics, which were written to celebrate the 60th birthday of Prof. Holm Altenbach. The contributions are on topics related to the theoretical foundations for the analysis of rods, shells and three-dimensional solids, formulation of constitutive models for advanced materials, as well as development of new approaches to the modeling of damage and fractures.

This reference text discusses processing, structure, and properties of metal matrix composites, polymer matrix composites, and ceramic matrix composites for applications in high end engineering equipment, biomedical and nano-biotechnology areas. The text begins by discussing fundamentals, classification, designing and fabrication of composite materials, followed by ultrasonic vibration assisted machining of advanced materials, fabrication of transparent advanced composites, fabrication of composites via microwave sintering, and hybrid machining of metal-matrix composites. It covers important topics including fabrication of shape-memory polymers, additive manufacturing for the fabrication of composites, 3D printing processes for biomedical applications, and ultrasonic vibration assisted machining of advanced materials. The text will be useful for undergraduate, graduate students, and academic researchers in areas including materials science, mechanical engineering, manufacturing science, aerospace engineering, electronics and communication engineering The book- Covers processing, structure, and properties of metal matrix composites, polymer matrix composites, and ceramic matrix composites. Discusses nano materials and their potential applications in the area of biomedical and nano-biotechnology. Provides modern processing techniques to synthesize advance materials. Explores applicability of the materials using mechanical, chemical, thermal and electrical tests. Discussing advanced materials, their manufacturing techniques and applications in diverse areas including automotive, aerospace engineering, biomedical, this text will be useful for undergraduate, graduate students, and academic researchers in areas including materials science, mechanical engineering, manufacturing science, aerospace engineering, electronics and communication engineering. It will further discuss electro discharge machining of steels using chromium alloy-based electrodes, and advanced machining techniques for hard materials.

"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.

a carefully selected group of methods for unconstrained and bound constrained optimization problems is analyzed in depth both theoretically and algorithmically. The book focuses on clarity in algorithmic description and analysis rather than generality, and also provides pointers to the literature for the most general theoretical results and robust software,