Smart Materials Based Actuators At The Micro Nano Scale

Smart Materials-Based Actuators at the Micro/Nano-Scale: Characterization, Control, and Applications gives a state of the art of emerging techniques to the characterization and control of actuators based on smart materials working at the micro/nano scale. The book aims to characterize some commonly used structures based on piezoelectric and electroactive polymeric actuators and also focuses on various and emerging techniques employed to control them. This book also includes two of the most emerging topics and applications: nanorobotics and cells micro/nano-manipulation.

“Piezoelectric-Based Vibration-control Systems: Applications in Micro/Nano Sensors and Actuators” covers: Fundamental concepts in smart (active) materials including piezoelectric and piezoceramics, magnetostrictive, shape-memory materials, and electro/magneto-rheological fluids; Physical principles and constitutive models of piezoelectric materials; Piezoelectric sensors and actuators; Fundamental concepts in mechanical vibration analysis and control with emphasis on distributed-parameters and vibration-control systems; and Recent advances in piezoelectric-based microelectromechanical and nanoelectromechanical systems design and implementation.

This collection comprises 77 peer-reviewed papers which, together, offer a wealth of up-to-date information on “Smart Materials & Micro/Nanosystems”. Volume is indexed by Thomson Reuters CPCI-S (WoS). They are grouped under the rubrics: chapter 1 - Ferroelectrics, piezoelectrics, electrostrictive and magnetostrictive materials; chapter 2 - Stimuli responsive polymers and gels; chapter 3 - Shape memory polymers & magnetorheological fluids; chapter 4 - Smart multifunctional materials and composites; chapter 5 - Hybrid active materials systems; chapter 6 - Smart nanocomposites and nanomaterials; chapter 7 - Mems / nems; chapter 8 - Recent developments in electrical writable organic memory devices. This special volume has also been published online in the series, “Advances in Science and Technology” Vol. 54.

This book presents various state-of-the-art applications for the development of new materials and technologies, discussing computer-based engineering tools that are widely used in simulations, evaluation of data and design processes. For example, modern joining technologies can be used to fabricate new compound or composite materials, even those composed of dissimilar materials. Such materials are often exposed to harsh environments and must possess specific properties. Technologies in this context are mainly related to the transportation technologies in their wider sense, i.e. automotive and marine technologies, including ships, amphibious vehicles, docks, offshore structures, and robots. This book highlights the importance the finite element and finite volume methods that are typically used in the context of engineering simulations.

Nanostructured Thin Films: Fundamentals and Applications presents an overview of the synthesis and characterization of thin films and their nanocomposites. Both vapor phase and liquid phase approaches are discussed, along with the methods that are sufficiently attractive for large-scale production. Examples of applications in clean energy, sensors, biomedicine, anticorrosion and surface modification are also included. As the applications of thin films in nanomedicine, cell phones, solar cell-powered devices, and in the protection of structural materials continues to grow, this book presents an important research reference for anyone seeking an informed overview on their structure and applications. Shows how thin films are being used to create more efficient devices in the fields of medicine and energy harvesting Discusses how to alter the design of nanostructured thin films by vapor phase and liquid phase methods Explores how modifying the structure of thin films for specific applications enhances their performance

Nickel-Titanium Smart Hybrid Materials: From Micro- to Nano-structured Alloys for Emerging Applications describes advanced properties that can be adapted in NiTi-alloys. Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) systems are receiving wide demand in growing industries due to their smart, high-temperature or biocompatible behavior. These influenced behaviors are carefully described in the micro-scale and nanoscale range, with NiTi smart materials described on the basis of their shape memory effect (SME) and super-elastic (SE) properties for sensor and actuator application. This book discusses novel properties of nickel-titanium systems, helping materials scientists and engineers produce smart technologies and systems for the aeronautical, automobile, mechanical, healthcare and electronics industries. Describes the use of nanotechnology and microtechnology in nickel-titanium-based systems Outlines the major properties of Nickel-Titanium Nanoalloys Assesses the major challenges of manufacturing nickel-titanium nanoalloys at an industrial scale

In the last two decades, a great effort has been directed towards the development of new smart materials actuators and their corresponding application devices and systems. Currently, some smart materials actuators are commercially applied for several technologies including automotive technology, but some of the smart materials actuators are still far from meeting strict practical requirements such as reliability, cost-effectiveness and robustness against unexpected environment conditions. Therefore, it is timely and appropriate to present recent research on smart materials actuators in terms of material characterization and advanced application systems in a single book. This book describes smart materials actuator technology from materials characterizations to device or system applications. The smart materials introduced in this book include magnetorehological fluid (MRF), magnetorheological elastomer (MRE), electrorheological fluid (ERF), piezoelectric material (PM), shape memory ally (SMA), dielectric elastomer (DE) and ionic polymer (IP). Both physical and chemical characterizations of each smart material are described in details in terms of actuating aspect. In addition, several application devices utilizing each smart material are introduced to provide practical controllability as a potential candidate for new actuators. The application devices introduced in this book include MRF damper for automotive suspension, PM unimorph pump for micro-hydraulic system, MRE flexible structure for vibration control, IP biomimetic micro-robot and SMA civil structure and damper system for vibration attenuation.

Smart Actuator and Sensor Technologies: Design, Modeling, Fabrication, and Control for Mechatronic Systems focuses on design, modeling, fabrication, and control of smart actuator technologies, such as piezoelectric actuators, electroactive polymer actuators, and a host of other “smart material based actuators, including shape memory alloys, magnetostrictive materials and others. This book covers important technical aspects so that engineers, scientists, and designers can utilize the information in their work. As emerging mechatronic systems, such as precision positioning system, soft robots, biomedical devices and aerospace system are exploring the use of smart actuators, this book provides complete coverage of the popular technologies. Covers the important technical aspects of design, modeling, fabrication and control of smart actuator technologies Written by two experts in the field of smart actuators, each contributing their expert knowledge“/li> Presents a reference text where readers can enhance their understanding through further reading of listed, credible publications