Smart materials, also known as intelligent materials, are gaining importance in several industries including aerospace.  These materials have unique features such as self-sensing, self-adaptability, and memory capabilities.  Graduate Researcher Al Arsh Basheer, who is studying the field of Robotics and automation at the University of California, Davis had his peer-reviewed findings published in Volume 92, Number 7, Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, pages 1027 – 1035 (Basheer, 2020).

     His article describes the classification, working principle, applications, recent developments (nano-smart materials) and future perspectives.  He describes the classification of smart materials based on their properties.  These properties that are used include thermal, electric and magnetic and the materials are classified based on the changes occurring in their shape, phase, color, energy, matter, adhesion and their deformation properties.  Basheer explains how the smartness of these materials is developed by changing their compositions, special processing, inducing defects and the modification of microstructures (Basheer, 2020).

     Apparently, smart materials have been used as load-bearing actuators in composite structures such as aircraft wings and rotor blades.  Smart material-actuated rotor technology is currently being used by Boeing, which can reduce up to 80% of vibrations which greatly improves flight performance (Basheer, 2020).  Apparently, aircraft windshields are heated by a transparent, electric-conducting ceramic coating embedded in the glass to keep them clear from fog and ice.  Basheer finally describes how smart materials are the next generation materials that will introduce a revolution in many areas including aerospace industries (Basheer, 2020).

 

 

Works Cited

Basheer, A. A. (2020, May 29). Advances in the smart materials applicaions in the aerospace industries. Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 92 No. 7, pp. 1027-1035. Retrieved from Emerald Insight: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AEAT-02-2020-0040/full/html

 

 

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