Smart Composites

Smart Composites

ABSTRACT:

This paper describes studies on smart composites. The research and development in smart composites is highlighted. The study can be categorized into sensing and actuating from the viewpoint of the smart functions. The sensing functions are applied to process monitoring and health monitoring, while the actuating functions are available for vibration damping, noise reduction, high-deformable composites and repairing. These smart composites integrate active elements such as sensors and actuators into a host structure to create improved or new functionalities through a clever choice of the active elements and/or a proper design of the structure. In addition, practical studies of smart composites are on increase because it has been recognized that smart composites have promise to reduce the cost, improve the reliability and upgrade their value in the coming years. The basic studies in the laboratory, the practical studies and wide applications of smart composites are also addressed in this paper.

INTRODUCTION:

Smart composites not only "know" when they have experienced fatigue, damage and can communicate this fact, but also allow continuous monitoring of deformation and damage. This will give an idea of how far material is from failure and thus we can avoid the damage or accident. Recent years have witnessed a tremendous growth and significant advances in “smart” composites and “smart” composite structures. Such composites are able to sense a change in the environment and make a useful response by using external feedback control system. Depending on their applications, smart composites usually make use of either the sum properties or the product properties of the individual element of the composites. The accumulation in the understanding of materials sciences and the rapid developments in computational capabilities have provided an even wider framework for the implementation of multifunctionality in composites and make “smart” composites “intelligent”. The “Smart composites” will bring together a diverse group of scientists and researchers to provide a forum for discussion the states-of-the-art in this field. This will highlight the progress in all areas of materials, structures, devices, characterizations, theories and future prospects of smart composites. Attempts are being made to bring in technopreneur and venture capitalists to join in the exploitation of smart composites. This allows maintenance personnel to have a clear understanding of how far away from failure a particular structure is. Such information can be crucial for bridges, buildings and aviation aircraft. As time passes, this will gain significant importance due to factors such as fatigue as well as general wear and tear.


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