Smart Materials

Abstract

In this article, we give the reader a brief introduction to a selected number of smart materials and structures. These materials include semiconductors and related structures, superconductors, piezoelectric materials, and shape memory materials. These materials are discussed in terms of their electrical, mechanical, optical, and chemical properties and possible engineering applications in the fields of nanoelectronics, nano/microelectromechanical systems, optoelectronics, and communication.