Handbook of Smart Systems and Materials

The multidisciplinary technology covered by smart materials, intelligent structures, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) has generated interest in the engineering and industrial communities. This book provides a review of the fundamental concepts and prospects of the various topics covered by MEMS, smart materials, and structures.

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In recent years the multidisciplinary technology covered by smart materials, smart structures, intelligent structures, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) has generated significant interest in the engineering, medical, scientific, and industrial communities. Smart materials sense changes in their environments and respond usefully by changing their material properties, geometry, mechanical, and electromechanical responses. MEMS refers to a collection of microsensors and actuators that can both sense and react to their environment. Grouped together under the term "smart materials and devices" these novel innovations are concerned with sensing, adaptation, actuation, and control. To integrate functions into such systems, devices, and structures, they require a design and development philosophy that is inherently interdisciplinary.

The smart revolution has changed and will continue to change the semiconductor electronic industry and the many applications of such devices in industry, health care, and scientific research. The Handbook of Smart Systems and Materials is a one-stop comprehensive reference for designers and researchers of smart systems, smart materials, structures, and devices in universities, government laboratories, and industry. The systems and applications orientation makes this a forward-looking handbook that unifies a diverse range of current research areas related to smart systems. The book provides a general review of the fundamental concepts and future prospects of the various topics covered by MEMS, smart materials, and structures. Each chapter includes extensive references to the current professional literature.