Smart Materials and Technologies

Smart Materials are hybrid materials that are composed of dissimilar phases which significantly change if any external stimuli are applied such as temperature, stress, magnetic or electric fields. Smart Materials are combinations of at least two different materials, which allow the engineering of desired properties. Proper modeling, simulation and control help in integrated system design of smart materials. Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric materials produce electric current when they are placed under mechanical stress. Due to their fast electromechanical response and their low power requirement, Piezoelectric materials are widely used in the structural control applications. Electroluminescent materials are semiconductors which allow exit of the light through it. Shape-memory alloys have the ability to return to their original shape when heated from the deformed shape.