Multifunctional Lightweight Structures

This book presents key research findings on the combination of different technologies that promise to be particularly sustainable and broadly impactful in their application. The findings were compiled during the course of the first funding period for the MERGE Cluster of Excellence. New methods, potential solutions, and exemplary pilot applications take center stage as the text explores the next generation of functional integration via lightweight structures. The underlying manufacturing processes are based on textile, polymer, and metal processing techniques, all of which are suitable for large batch production, flexibility, and reproducibility.

Offers a review of the newest methodologies for the characterization and modelling of lightweight materials and structures Advanced Multifunctional Lightweight Aerostructures provides an in-depth analysis of the thermal, electrical, and mechanical responses of multi-functional lightweight structures. The authors, noted experts on the topic, address the most recent and innovative methodologies for the characterization and modelling of lightweight materials and discuss various multiscale simulation approaches and nonlinear/structural dynamics methodologies. They present multifunctional materials and structures and offer detailed descriptions of the complex modelling of these structures. The authors divide the text into two sections and demonstrate a keen understanding and awareness of multi-functional lightweight aerostructures by taking unique approaches. They explore multi-disciplinary modelling and characterization alongside benchmark problems and applications, topics that are rarely approached in this field. This important book: Offers thermal, electrical, and mechanical analyses of multi-functional lightweight structures Covers innovative methodologies for the characterization and modelling of lightweight materials and structures Presents characterizations of a wide variety of novel materials Considers multifunctional novel structures with potential applications in different high-tech industries Discusses thermal and mechanical behaviors of some critical parts of aircrafts Includes efficient and highly accurate methodologies Written for professionals, engineers, researchers, and educators in academia, industrial, and other specialized research institutions, Advanced Multifunctional Lightweight Aerostructures is a much-needed text on the design practices of existing engineering building services and how these methods combine with recent developments.

Advanced Lightweight Multifunctional Materials presents the current state-of-the-art on multifunctional materials research, focusing on different morphologies and their preparation and applications. The book emphasizes recent advances on these types of materials as well as their application. Chapters cover porous multifunctional materials, thermochromic and thermoelectric materials, shape memory materials, piezoelectric multifunctional materials, electrochromic and electrorheological, soft materials, magnetic and photochromic materials, and more. The book will be a valuable reference resource for academic researchers and industrial engineers working in the design and manufacture of multifunctional materials, composites and nanocomposites. Provides detailed information on design, modeling and structural applications Focuses on characteristics, processing, design and applications Discusses the main types of lightweight multifunctional materials and processing techniques, as well as the physico-chemical insights that can lead to improved performance

Integrated Design of Multiscale, Multifunctional Materials and Products is the first of its type to consider not only design of materials, but concurrent design of materials and products. In other words, materials are not just selected on the basis of properties, but the composition and/or microstructure iw designed to satisfy specific ranged sets of performance requirements. This book presents the motivation for pursuing concurrent design of materials and products, thoroughly discussing the details of multiscale modeling and multilevel robust design and provides details of the design methods/strategies along with selected examples of designing material attributes for specified system performance. It is intended as a monograph to serve as a foundational reference for instructors of courses at the senior and introductory graduate level in departments of materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering and civil engineering who are interested in next generation systems-based design of materials. First of its kind to consider not only design of materials, but concurrent design of materials and products Treatment of uncertainty via robust design of materials Integrates the "materials by design approach" of Olson/Ques Tek LLC with the "materials selection" approach of Ashby/Granta Distinquishes the processes of concurrent design of materials and products as an overall systems design problem from the field of multiscale modeling Systematic mathematical algorithms and methods are introduced for robust design of materials, rather than ad hoc heuristics--it is oriented towards a true systems approach to design of materials and products

"This book contains articles presented at the International Conference on Impact Loading of Lightweight Structures, held in Florianopolis, Brazil, 8-12 May 2005"--Pref.

NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT) has begun to rebuild the advanced space technology program in the agency with plans laid out in 14 draft technology roadmaps. It has been years since NASA has had a vigorous, broad-based program in advanced space technology development and its technology base has been largely depleted. However, success in executing future NASA space missions will depend on advanced technology developments that should already be underway. Reaching out to involve the external technical community, the National Research Council (NRC) considered the 14 draft technology roadmaps prepared by OCT and ranked the top technical challenges and highest priority technologies that NASA should emphasize in the next 5 years. This report provides specific guidance and recommendations on how the effectiveness of the technology development program managed by OCT can be enhanced in the face of scarce resources.