Introduction

Smart materials are the materials that properties that react to changes in their environment. This means that one of
their properties can be changed by an external condition, such as temperature, light, pressure, electricity, voltage, pH, or
chemical compounds. This change is reversible and can be repeated many times.

“Smart materials” can be defined as materials that can detect and respond immediately to any change in electricity,
magnetic waves or heat. In other words, smart materials are able to observe and react to any kind of changes happened
in the environment. Smart materials are not only smart in chemical composition but also smart in adjusting with the
structural changes. Moreover, they are able to conserve the states of material under consideration. The stimuli could be
pressure, temperature, electric and magnetic fields, chemicals or nuclear radiant and the associated physical properties
of structural changes could be shape, stiffness, viscosity or damping. The advantages of using smart materials are cost
effective, high strength, toughness, increased durability, having high resistance to chemical corrosion, wear and abrasion,
tough against natural disasters, manufacturing and installation procedures are easy. Optical fibres, piezoelectric
polymers and ceramics, electrorheological (ER) fluids, magnetostrictive materials and shape memory alloys (SMAs) are
some of the smart materials. Fig. 2 shows the 'response' associated 'stimulus' and of common smart materials. Because
of their special ability to respond stimuli, they have found numerous applications especially in the field of sensors and
actuators.

Smart materials and structures It is difficult to define ‘‘smart’’ materials. Unlike static, or ‘‘dead,’’ materials, smart
materials are ‘‘alive’’: they can respond to changes in the environment. Therefore, smart materials are not only structural
materials but also active materials. Sources of stimulation include stress, strain, electricity, magnetism, heat, light, and
microwave radiation . Currently, piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, and ferroelectric materials, optical fibers,
electrorheological and magnetorheological fluids, shape memory alloys, shape memory polymers, electro-active
polymers, and multifunctional nano-composites can be considered smart materials. Smart structures include auxetic
honeycombs, variable-stiffness tubes, multi-stable structures, and corrugated structures. In general, smart materials and
structures comprise a smart system. To draw an analogy to humans, as shown in Figure , smart materials and structures
can obtain information from the environment around the skin (sensing), they then produce an internal chemical or
physical effect delivered to the brain for decision making (control), and finally, they implement actions through the
muscles (actuation). The information passes through the nerves, and each part is linked by tendons and fibrous bands
(structures). Smart materials and structures have one or more of the three main features as follows:

1. Self-actuating—the system produces an output such as force, displacement, heat, and light after being stimulated.

2. Self-sensing—in response to changes in the environment, the system can generate electric or magnetic signals or
undergo strain that can be measured to describe the environment.

3. Self-adaptive—the system can change its geometry to adapt to the environment (this feature applies specifically to
structures) .

A smart structure may be viewed as a structure or structural component on which are attached or in which are
embedded sensors and actuators whose actions are coordinated through a control system imbuing the structure with
the capability of responding spontaneously to external stimuli exerted on the structure in proportion to their magnitudes
to compensate for undesired effects or to enhance desired effects. For example, to suppress vibration levels in a slender
elastic beam, several researchers have demonstrated the feasibility of achieving reduced amplitudes by exploiting the
sensing and actuation capabilities of piezoelectric ceramics or films bonded onto its surface. As the beam is deformed
through the application of external forces, the simultaneously deformed piezoelectric sensor develops a surface charge
proportional to the magnitude of the force. Upon processing this signal received from the sensor, the control system
then impresses an appropriate voltage upon the piezoelectric actuator that induces a counteractive deformation and
damping into the beam. The beam’s oscillations are subsequently quickly diminished.

Fig: smart structure

Classifications of smart structures

Smart structures can be defined in following terms based on the level of sophistication [2]. Fig. 1 shows the relationship
between these structures.

a) Sensory Structures: These structures possess sensors that enable the determination or monitoring of system
states/ characteristics.

b) Adaptive Structures: These structures possess actuators that enable the alteration of system states or
characteristics in a controlled manner.

c) Controlled Structures: These result from the intersection of the sensory and the adaptive structures. These
possess both sensors and actuators integrated in feedback architecture for the purpose of controlling the system states
or characteristics.

d) Active Structures: These structures possess both sensors and actuators that are highly integrated into the
structure and exhibit structural functionality in addition to control functionality.

e) Intelligent Structures: These structures are basically active structures possessing highly integrated control logic
and electronics that provides the cognitive element of distributed or hierarchic control architecture.

Figure 1: Classification of smart structures (A) Sensory structures;

(B)Adaptive structures; (C) Controlled structures; (D) Active structures;

(E) Intelligent structures .

Common smart materials and associated stimulus-response

Active and passive smart materials

There are two types of Smart materials, active and passive. active smart materials as “smart materials, having the
characteristics to modify their shape or material properties under the applied electric, thermal or magnetic fields,
thereby gaining an inherent capacity to transduce energy”. Piezoelectric materials, SMAs, ER fluids and magnetostrictive
materials are active smart materials. Being active, they can be used as force transducers and actuators.

Passive smart materials; “smart materials, which are not having the inherent capability to transduce energy”. Fibre optic
material is a well-known example of a passive smart material. This type of smart materials can act as sensors but not as
actuators or transducers.

Optical fibres

Optical Fibres have been recognized as the most advanced smart material that use in polarization, phase, intensity or
frequency to determine strain, temperature electrical/magnetic fields, pressure, displacement, chemical composition
and other measurable parameters. They are known to be excellent sensors . These are made of silica and glass. The basic
principal of is that utilize its fibre properties to provide optoelectronic signals, which are indicative of the external
parameters to be measured

Piezoelectric materials

The word 'piezo' is comes from a Greek word meaning pressure. The phenomenon of piezoelectricity was discovered in
1880 by Pierre and Paul-Jacques Curie . It occurs in non-centro symmetric crystals, such as quartz (SiO2), Lithium Niobate
(LiNbO3), PZT [Pb(Zr1-xTix)O3)l and PLZT [(Pb1-xLax)(Zrl- yTiy)O3), in which electric dipoles (and hence surface charges)
are generated when the crystals are loaded with mechanical deformations. These when directed to an electric charge or
a fluctuation in voltage, piezoelectric material will go through some mechanical change and vice versa. This phenomenon
is called the direct and converse effects.
Piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) patches are made up of materials that generate a surface charge in response to an applied
mechanical stress. Conversely, they undergo a material deformation in response to an applied electric field. This unique
capability enables the material to be used both as a sensor and as an actuator. Smart system applications of these
materials range from developing a skin like sensor (with high temperature and pressure sensing capabilities) to robotic
applications.

Applications of Piezoelectric Materials in Smart Structures

• Active Vibration Control: Distinct piezoelectric patches help to regulate the vibration associated with thin plates
in smart structures.

• Active Sound Control: It was used to eradicate or eliminate the different types of sounds produced. The
significance of active sound control in the work place is of utmost importance as because hearing loss can occur from
long term exposure to workplace sound.

• Active Control for Shape: Used as reflectors and antennas that maintains accurate dimension for best possible
results. It’s of primary importance in 3D structures comprising light weight material and is allowed to thermal distortion.

• Active Health Maintenance: Structural panel consisting of a series of actuators and sensors actively regulate the
structural

Electro-Rheological (ER) fluids

Electro-Rheological (ER) fluids are typically the suspensions of micron-sized particles in suitable hydrophobic carrier
liquids. These types of liquids have ability to undergo an abrupt and reversible change in viscosity when subjected to
electrostatic potentials. Vibration control using ER fluids has been reported using hollow graphite epoxy cantilever beams
filled with various ER fluids . By applying voltage across the beam, internal damping could be increased and vibrations
could be suppressed.

Magnetostrictive materials

Magnetostriction is a characteristic property of ferromagnetic materials which possess them to alter their shape,
dimensions in the process of magnetization. The magnetostrictive materials can change magnetic energy to kinetic
energy and vice versa, can be used to build actuators and sensors. If the magnetic field is given in the direction of an
applied stress, the resultant magnetostriction will be larger than that without pre-stress. Iron, nickel, and cobalt were the
first three magnetostrictive materials. Legvold and Clark discovered giant magnetostriction in the rare earth materials
Dysprosium and Terbium. Later alloys called Terfenol-D comprises of Terbium, Dysprosium and Fe which shows the best
option between a greater magnetostriction and a lower magnetic field, at normal room temperature. A definite
magnetostriction of 1000-2000 ppm is achieved with fields of 50 kA/m-200 kA/m. Terfenol-D is most available material
for use in many fields. Lead Zicronate Titanate (PZT) is a piezoceramic material that has low cost, light weight, high
energy density, and easy to implement .

Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs)

Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are types of alloys which recovers their normal shape and that when deform comes back to
its original state. The material is of less weight, solid state option to habitual actuators such as hydraulic, pneumatic,
motor based systems5. SAMs are used in couplings, actuators and smart materials.
Couplings are known for its effective use of SMAs. Applications as actuators in various fields like in electrical components,
automobile, robotics etc are performed. Thermal conductivity of SMA is better, leading to excellent response on
application of heat. SMAs which are used as an actuator mentioned above act both as actuators and sensors. Thus, SMAs
are called smart or intelligent materials [12].

These shape memory alloys which are commonly available are Cu-Al-Ni and Ni-Ti alloys. Besides the SMAs can be made
by alloying zinc, copper, gold, iron etc. SMAs exists in various forms having three different crystal structures such as
twinned martensite, detwinned martensite and austenite. These are characterized by recovery of usually large strains. In
response to temperature the phase transformation between the martensite and austenite phases can be induced to
mechanical stress. They are typically made by casting, induction melting.

The large recovery force associated with the return to the memorized shape has been exploited to create distributed
SMA actuators, which are also used as shape controllers. The SMAs find application in the fields of robotics, active shape
control of large antenna reflector surfaces, active vibration control of large flexible structures and also heat engines. For
example, shape memory materials could be used in food packaging that automatically opens on heating for people with
arthritis [13].

I. APPLICATIONS OF SMART MATERIALS

A. Application of Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs)
Shape Memory Alloys has wide applications in various fields like Biomedical, Aerospace, Robotic,
Automotive etc. Shape Memory Alloys have been used in robotic application since 1980s. However, the robots
can be divided into several groups depending on their movement techniques and applications, for example
jumper, crawler, fish, walker, flower, medical and biomimetic robotic hand.
Muscle wire is a NiTi alloy which can be stretched upto 8% of its length and still recover. When a small
current is passed through the wire it becomes much harder and return to its original length with a reasonable
force. A battery and switch are connected to muscle wire and a small weight stretches the muscle wire. A
clever use of muscle wire and a micro-controller circuit is a ‘Robotic Hand’.
A robotic hand has stretched muscle wires attached to the base of each finger. When current is applied to the
muscle wire it contracts to its natural length by pulling on the ordinary wire. The micro-controller is
programmed to give five of the outputs with switch on and off options. This makes the fingers of the hand
move.

Fig. : Application of SMA in making Robotic Hand

B. Application of Piezoelectric Materials
In lighters or portable sparkers with a piezo fuze a sudden and strong pressure is used to produce a voltage. The spark
then ignites the gas. A piezo motor is based on the change in mechanical shape of a piezoelectric material when an
tension is applied. The material produces ultrasonic or acoustic vibrations and produces a linear or rotary motion. Piezo
elements are used in music for acoustic instruments. They are inserted in stringed instruments such as guitar, violin. The
dynamic deformation/vibration of the cords is converted into a small alternating voltage.

Fig.: Application of Piezoelectric Materials

C. Application of Magneto-Rheological Fluids

Magneto-Rheological Fluids have wide application Automotive Industry, Civil Engineering, Household Appliances,
Biomedical etc. The MR fluid damper is used in the washing machine to reduce vibrations during spin. The application
of semi active control in household applications is still a long way journey; the discussions are only in those areas where
the research is primarily about tub dynamics at low spin, about the main drum’s resonance frequency. Instead, this
work mainly focuses on the vibrations induces due to high rotational velocity.

Fig. : Application of Magneto-Rheological Fluids in Household Appliance

D. Application of Electro-Rheological Fluids

There are various applications of ERFs in vibration isolators, the automotive industry, shock absorber, clutch. They are
also used in building base-isolation and electro-active actuators due to their ability to overcome defects caused by
particle aggregation and sedimentation that affects the electro-rheological performance of ERFs building base-isolation
and electro-active actuators because they can overcome the defects due to particle aggregation and sedimentation that
adepts the electro-rheological performance. Electro-Rheological Fluids have wide application in Hydraulic Industry,
Automobile Industry, Fluid Sealing Industry, Robot Industry.
E. Application of Optical Fiber
Fiber optic cables find many uses in a wide variety of industries and applications. Some uses of fiber
optic cables include: Medical, Defense, Data storage, Telecommunications, Networking and Broadcast.
Optical Fiber cables are used to transmit high definition television signals which have greater
bandwidth and speed. Optical Fibre is cheaper compared to the same quantity of copper wires.
Broadcasting companies use optical fibres for wiring HDTV, CATV, video-on-demand and many
applications.

Fig. : Application Optical Fiber in Broadcast Industry