Bioinspired Intelligent Nanostructured Interfacial Materials

Intelligent materials are emerging composite functional materials that have boomed since the 1990s. The intelligent material system, involving a multitude of structures and functions, combines studies that explore nature, mimic nature and surpass nature. It also provides novel ideas, new theories, and cutting-edge methodologies for the innovation of science and technology. Thus, mimicking the micro/nanostructures and functions found in nature will build a bridge between biology and technology, which may provide inspirations for solving today's technological problems. This book gives a complementary introduction about natural and artificial micro/nanoscale interfacial materials, devoting largely to the intelligent materials with special wettabilities. Inspired by nature, the authors proposed a concept of "binary cooperative complementary micro/nanoscale interfacial materials". Based on this design concept, the contact and coupling of heterogeneous materials will result in novel properties on the surface or interface of materials, which may create new functional materials and devices. This book combines popular science and professional knowledge, which will be suitable for not only researchers but also science lovers.

Biomimicry for Materials, Design and Habitats: Innovations and Applications and is a survey of the recent work of recognized experts in a variety of fields who employ biomimicry and related paradigms to solve key problems of interest within design, science, technology, and society. Topics covered include innovations from biomimicry in materials, product design, architecture, and biological sciences. The book is a useful resource for educators, designers, researchers, engineers, and materials scientists, taking them from the theory behind biomimicry to real world applications. Living systems have evolved innovative solutions to challenges that humans face on a daily basis. Nonlinear multifunctional systems that have a symbiotic relationship with their environment are the domain of nature. Morphological solutions for buildings inspired by nature can be used for skins, surfaces, and structures to facilitate environmental adaptation of buildings to increase occupant comfort and reduce energy demands. Birds can teach us to produce novel structures, 3D printing can be informed by oysters and mussels, and mycelium may show us the way to fabricate new biocomposites in architecture. Therefore, it is in nature that we seek inspiration for the solutions to tomorrow’s challenges. Presents new directions in education and the various applications of biomimicry within industry, including bio-inspired entrepreneurship Discusses the role of biomimicry in education, innovation, and product design Covers applications in systems engineering and design, novel materials with applications in 3D printing, and bio-inspired architecture Includes perspectives on sustainability detailing the role that bio-inspiration or biomimicry plays in sustainability

This book introduces various advanced, smart materials and the strategies for the design and preparation for novel uses from macro to micro or from biological, inorganic, organic to composite materials. Selecting the best material is a challenging task, requiring tradeoffs between material properties and designing functional smart materials. The development of smart, advanced materials and their potential applications is a burgeoning area of research. Exciting breakthroughs are anticipated in the future from the concepts and results reported in this book.

This book presents the current state of knowledge on nanomaterials and their use in buildings, ranging from glazing and vacuum insulation to PCM composites. It also discusses recent applications in organic photovoltaics, photo-bioreactors, bioplastics and foams, making it an exciting read while also providing copious references to current research and applications for those wanting to pursue possible future research directions. Derek Clements-Croome, Emeritus Professor in Architectural Engineering, University of Reading (From the Foreword) Demonstrating how higher energy efficiency in new and existing buildings can help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, this book details the way in which new technologies, manufacturing processes and products can serve to abate emissions from the energy sector and offer a cost-effective means of improving competitiveness and drive employment. Maximizing reader insights into how nano and biotech materials – such as aerogel based plasters, thermochromic glazings and thermal energy adsorbing glass, amongst others – can provide high energy efficiency performance in buildings, it provides practitioners in the field with an important high-tech tool to tackle key challenges and is essential reading for civil engineers, architects, materials scientists and researchers in the area of the sustainability of the built environment.

Presents novel, nanotechnology-based solutions for urgent environmental engineering problems Clear and concise from beginning to end, this book focuses on the design and application of artificially intelligent nanomaterials, which help in solving many tangible environmental problems?especially water and air pollution. It lays out the design concepts, major chemical principles, and materials considerations of artificially intelligent nanomaterials for environmental engineering, and provides proof-of-concept examples such as improved filtration membranes, nanofibrous air filters, and molecularly imprinted nanomaterials. Artificially Intelligent Nanomaterials: For Environmental Engineering starts by describing the background of environmental nanotechnology, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the current status of AI in environmental engineering. It then looks at: intelligently functional materials and responsive mechanisms; designing filtration membranes with responsive gates; switchable wettability materials for controllable oil/water separation; and self-healing materials for environmental applications. The book continues with chapters that examine: emerging nanofibrous air filters for PM2.5 removal; self-propelled nanomotors for environmental applications; molecular imprinting in wastewater treatment; and emerging synergistically multifunctional and all-in-one nanomaterials and nanodevices in advanced environmental applications. -Presents the state-of-the-art in environmental technology and puts forward bold ideas for its advancement -Addresses global challenges, including all important water and air quality which are critical for human health and a sustainable future -Concentrates on nanotechnology-enabled solutions for pollutant removal from water and air Artificially Intelligent Nanomaterials: For Environmental Engineering is an ideal book for undergraduates, graduates, scientists, and professionals in the fields of environmental science, material science, chemistry, and chemistry engineering.

This book presents a design-driven investigation into smart materials developed by chemists, physicists, materials and chemical engineers, and applied by designers to consumer products. Introducing a class of smart materials, that change colors, the book presents their characteristics, advantages, potentialities and difficulties of applications of this to help understanding what they are, how they work, how they are applied. The books also present a number of case studies: products, projects, concepts and experiments using smart materials, thus mapping out new design territories for these innovative materials. These case studies involve different fields of design, including product, interior, fashion and communication design. Within the context of rising sustainable and human-centered design agendas, the series will demonstrate the role and influence of these new materials and technologies on design, and discuss how they can implement and redefine our objects and spaces to encourage more resilient environments.

Just as chemistry is a part of our daily lives, functional coatings can be found in almost every object, gadget or device you can see or touch. However, in the last 20 years the advances made in the preparation of different functional coatings with diverse compositions have allowed the development of nanoscale coatings that are more cost-effective and environmentally conscious than traditional coatings. Research Perspectives on Functional Micro- and Nanoscale Coatings highlights critical research on preparation methods, modification, organization, and utilization of functional coatings in micro, nano, and biotechnology. Emphasizing emerging developments and global research perspectives, this publication is a pivotal resource for engineers, researchers, and graduate-level students interested in learning about emerging developments in functional coatings and nanotechnology.

This book is dedicated to the innovative and emerging applications of designed functional surfaces to solving environmental challenges.