Smart Materials, Precision Sensors/Actuators, Smart Structures, and Structronic Systems

Abstract

Many electroactive functional materials have been used in small-and microscale transducers and precision mechatronic control systems for years. It was not until the mid-1980s that scientists started integrating electroactive materials with large-scale structures as in situ sensors and/or actuators, thus introducing the concept of smart materials, smart structures, and structronic systems. This paper provides an overview of present smart materials and their sensor/actuator/structure applications. Fundamental multifield optomagnetopiezoelectric-thermoelastic behaviors and novel transducer technologies applied to complex multifield problems involving elastic, electric, temperature, magnetic, light, and other interactions are emphasized. Material histories, characteristics, material varieties, limitations, sensor/actuator/structure applications, and so forth of piezoelectrics, shape-memory materials, electro-and magnetostrictive materials, electro-and magnetorheological fluids, polyelectrolyte gels, superconductors, pyroelectrics, photostrictive materials, photoferroelectrics, magneto-optical materials, and so forth are thoroughly reviewed. INTRODUCTIONThe concepts of smart, intelligent, and adaptive materials and structures originated in the mid-1980s in an attempt to describe the newly emerging research area of integrating electroactive functional materials into large-scale structures as in situ sensors and actuators. Previously, electroactive materials had only been used in small-and microscale transducers and precision mechatronic (mechanical + electronic) control systems. The general perception of smart, intelligent, and adaptive materials or structures implies an ability to be clever, sharp, active, fashionable, and sophisticated. However, in reality, materials or structures can never achieve true intelligence or reasoning without the addition of artificial intelligence

Applications of Biologically Inspired Membranes

“…Through electronics, these smart structures have been refined and now redefine the concept of structures from a conventional elastic system to an adaptive and active structure, capable of sensing, controlling, and responding to stimuli. (Tzou, 2004) A smart material may be employed to create an adaptive system that is actively smart in regards to sensing and actuating functions. Examples include windshield wipers that sense and respond accordingly to the amount of rain falling on a windshield, or a braking system which alters the damping according to the road conditions for better control.…”

Smart Materials: A Primer

“…The idea of smart materials originated in mid-1980s. Their perception implies an ability to be clever, active, and sophisticated [1]. Smart materials are unique in that they exhibit different properties when there is change in their environment.…”

Adsorption of anionic polyelectrolyte and comb polymers onto lead magnesium niobate

“…It has many potential applications such as multilayer ceramic capacitors, actuators and electro-optic devices [2]. It also finds applications in motors, pumps, optical scanning systems, and vibration isolators [3].…”