Composite structures are most efficient in performance and production cost when combined with smart materials making them adaptable to changing operational conditions. The specific production processes of composites offer the possibility to integrate more functions thus making the structure more valuable. Active functions can be realized by smart materials, e.g. morphing, active vibration control, active structure acoustic control or structure health monitoring. The foundation is a sound understanding of materials, design methods, design principles, production technologies and adaptronics. Along the complete process chain this disciplines together deliver advanced lightweight solutions for applications ranging from mechanical engineering to vehicles, airframe and finally space structures. This book provides the scientific foundations as well as inspiring new ideas for engineers working in the field of composite lightweight structures.

Since the 1980s, scientists have been researching adaptive structures for materials, for multifunctional elements or even for complete systems. Adaptronics (smart materials, smart structures, smart systems) is a field of distinct interdisciplinarity. The book therefore offers an interdisciplinary view of adaptronic systems, materials and functional elements and their applications. The subject matter integrates various engineering disciplines, from electrical engineering and information technology to manufacturing and control engineering, materials engineering and structural mechanics - to name but a few of the relevant subject areas. Starting from the basic principles and variants of adaptronic systems and functional materials, the textbook explains the different construction methods of functional elements. Building on this, readers learn how to apply this knowledge to active shape control, active vibration control and active vibroacoustics. For each of these topics the author presents current examples from research, discusses research results and future research questions. Each of the nine chapters closes with references to further literature. An index of the mathematical symbols used and a keyword index facilitate learning for readers.The book is aimed at Master's students in engineering courses such as mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechatronics, automotive engineering and related courses. The book provides a comprehensive overview for industrial practitioners who want to familiarize themselves with the field of adaptronics and also serves as a reliable reference book.

This book presents the basics of fiber reinforced polymers (FRP). The author presents the material-specific advantages of FRP and the typical areas of their application. The problems created by conventional, non-integrating product development are listed and the author states how these problems are potentially overcome by integrated product development (IPD). In addition, it is explained why IPD is of particular importance for FRP. An approach to IPD for FRP-parts is presented. It is explained step by step how a catalogue of requirements is defined as well as how this basis is used to develop a concept, a design, and a final construction. Simple but effective methods for the selection of fiber materials, semi-finished products and manufacturing processes are highlighted in this book. A concluding chapter describes an approach to techno-economic evaluation. Throughout the book, practical application examples show the reader how to put the gained knowledge into practice.

Combining different perspectives from materials science, engineering, and computer science, this reference provides a unified view of the various aspects necessary for the successful realization of intelligent systems. The editors and authors are from academia and research institutions with close ties to industry, and are thus able to offer first-hand information here. They adopt a unique, three-tiered approach such that readers can gain basic, intermediate, and advanced topical knowledge. The technology section of the book is divided into chapters covering the basics of sensor integration in materials, the challenges associated with this approach, data processing, evaluation, and validation, as well as methods for achieving an autonomous energy supply. The applications part then goes on to showcase typical scenarios where material-integrated intelligent systems are already in use, such as for structural health monitoring and smart textiles.

Selected extended papers from the Brazilian-German Conference on Frontiers of Science and Technology Symposium (BRAGFOST), Potsdam 5.-10- October 2017 In October 2017 the 8th Brazilian-German Frontiers of Science and Technology Symposium (BRAGFOS)) was held in Potsdam, Germany, gathering German and Brazilian researchers in the fields of Hybrid climate-control strategies, Multifunctional integration, Light-weight structures, Energy Harvesting, and Urban agriculture. This series of symposia, initiated in 2010, is the result of the collaboration between the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) and the Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES), and has a special format. Experienced specialists are giving overviews about their research which covers a wide area and making it accessible for specialists from other fields of science and technology.

This volume, the first of the two-volume Drug Delivery Approaches and Nanosystems series, presents a full picture of the state-of-the-art research and development in drug delivery systems using nanotechnology and its applications. It addresses the ever-expanding application of nanotechnology or nano-sized materials in the medical field and the real-world challenges and complexities of current drug delivery methodologies and techniques. Many methods of drug delivery systems have been used, but very few of them have been validated for medical use. A major reason for the above situation, the editors believe, is the gap between academia and research, and the gap between academic research and real-time clinical applications and needs. This volume addresses that gap. This volume presents 12 chapters that provide information about the preparation and characterization of nanocomposite materials used in drug delivery systems; advanced research of carbon nanotubes, nanocomposite materials, and polymer-clay, ceramics, and silicate glass-based nanocomposites; and the functionality of graphene nanocomposites. The book also provides detailed information on the application of nanotechnology in drug delivery systems in health care systems and medicine. The book describes how nanostructures are synthesized and draws attention to wide variety of nanostructures available for biological research and treatment applications. This valuable volume provides a wealth of information that will be valuable to scientists and researchers, faculty, and students. Volume 2 of the two-volume series is subtitled Drug Targeting Aspects of Nanotechnology. The volumes are available separately or as a set.

The idea of this monograph is to present the latest results related to design and computation of engineering materials and structures. The contributions cover the classical fields of mechanical, civil and materials engineering up to biomechanics and advanced materials processing and optimization. The materials and structures covered can be categorized into modern steels and titanium alloys, composite materials, biological and natural materials, material hybrids and modern joining technologies. Analytical modelling, numerical simulation, the application of state-of-the-art design tools and sophisticated experimental techniques are applied to characterize the performance of materials and to design and optimize structures in different fields of engineering applications.

This new two-volume set, Drug Delivery Approaches and Nanosystems, Volume 1: Novel Drug Carriers and Volume 2: Drug Targeting Aspects of Nanotechnology presents a comprehensive look at the state-of-the-art research and developments in drug delivery systems using nanotechnology and its applications. Many methods of drug delivery systems have been used, but very few of them have been validated for medical use. A major reason for the above situation, the editors believe, is due to the gap between academia and research, and the gap between academic research and real-time clinical applications and needs. These volumes address that gap. Volume 1 addresses the ubiquitous applications of nanotechnology or nano-sized materials in the medical field and the real-world challenges and complexities of current drug delivery methodologies and techniques, while Volume 2 focuses on drug targeting aspects of nanotechnology. Together they provide a thorough review of the applications of nanotechnology or nano-sized materials in the medical field and the real-world challenges and complexities of current drug delivery methodologies and techniques. These two volumes will provide a plethora of real-world information for the application of drug delivery approaches via nanotechnology that will be valuable to scientists and researchers as well as faculty and students. The volumes are available separately or together as a set.

This book provides the reader with a comprehensive selection of cutting–edge algorithms, technologies, and applications. The volume offers new insights into a range of fundamentally important topics in network architectures, network security, and network applications. It serves as a reference for researchers and practitioners by featuring research contributions exemplifying research done in the field of network systems. In addition, the book highlights several key topics in both theoretical and practical aspects of networking. These include wireless sensor networks, performance of TCP connections in mobile networks, photonic data transport networks, security policies, credentials management, data encryption for network transmission, risk management, live TV services, and multicore energy harvesting in distributed systems.

The detailed presentation of fundamental aerodynamics principles that influence and improve vehicle design have made Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles the engineer’s “source” for information. This fifth edition features updated and expanded information beyond that which was presented in previous releases. Completely new content covers lateral stability, safety and comfort, wind noise, high performance vehicles, helmets, engine cooling, and computational fluid dynamics. A proven, successful engineering design approach is presented that includes: • Fundamentals of fluid mechanics related to vehicle aerodynamics • Essential experimental results that are the ground rules of fluid mechanics • Design strategies for individual experimental results • General design solutions from combined experimental results The aerodynamics of passenger cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, sports cars, and race cars is dealt with in detail, inclusive of systems, testing techniques, measuring and numerical aerodynamics methods and simulations that significantly contribute to vehicle development. Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles is an excellent reference tool and an indispensable source for the industry’s vehicle engineers, designers, and researchers, as well as for enthusiasts, students, and those working in academia or government regulatory agencies.