Biomimicry for Materials, Design and Habitats: Innovations and Applications and is a survey of the recent work of recognized experts in a variety of fields who employ biomimicry and related paradigms to solve key problems of interest within design, science, technology, and society. Topics covered include innovations from biomimicry in materials, product design, architecture, and biological sciences. The book is a useful resource for educators, designers, researchers, engineers, and materials scientists, taking them from the theory behind biomimicry to real world applications. Living systems have evolved innovative solutions to challenges that humans face on a daily basis. Nonlinear multifunctional systems that have a symbiotic relationship with their environment are the domain of nature. Morphological solutions for buildings inspired by nature can be used for skins, surfaces, and structures to facilitate environmental adaptation of buildings to increase occupant comfort and reduce energy demands. Birds can teach us to produce novel structures, 3D printing can be informed by oysters and mussels, and mycelium may show us the way to fabricate new biocomposites in architecture. Therefore, it is in nature that we seek inspiration for the solutions to tomorrow's challenges. - Presents new directions in education and the various applications of biomimicry within industry, including bio-inspired entrepreneurship - Discusses the role of biomimicry in education, innovation, and product design - Covers applications in systems engineering and design, novel materials with applications in 3D printing, and bio-inspired architecture - Includes perspectives on sustainability detailing the role that bio-inspiration or biomimicry plays in sustainability

Laser powder bed fusion of metals is a technology that makes use of a laser beam to selectively melt metal powder layer-by-layer in order to fabricate complex geometries in high performance materials. The technology is currently transforming aerospace and biomedical manufacturing and its adoption is widening into other industries as well, including automotive, energy, and traditional manufacturing. With an increase in design freedom brought to bear by additive manufacturing, new opportunities are emerging for designs not possible previously and in material systems that now provide sufficient performance to be qualified in end-use mission-critical applications. After decades of research and development, laser powder bed fusion is now enabling a new era of digitally driven manufacturing. Fundamentals of Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Metals will provide the fundamental principles in a broad range of topics relating to metal laser powder bed fusion. The target audience includes new users, focusing on graduate and undergraduate students; however, this book can also serve as a reference for experienced users as well, including senior researchers and engineers in industry. The current best practices are discussed in detail, as well as the limitations, challenges, and potential research and commercial opportunities moving forward. - Presents laser powder bed fusion fundamentals, as well as their inherent challenges - Provides an up-to-date summary of this advancing technology and its potential - Provides a comprehensive textbook for universities, as well as a reference for industry - Acts as quick-reference guide

Fabrication Techniques and Machining Methods of Advanced Composite Materials documents the most current inventive developments in the manufacture and machining of sophisticated composite materials. The utilization of cutting-edge engineering materials with exceptional qualities, such as lightweight and long service life, is necessary for the industry to reduce both energy consumption and production/maintenance costs. It provides scientific and technological insights on the fabrication routes of composites. It covers various applications suitable for the aerospace, nuclear, and medical fields and emphasizes advanced machining techniques. The book also highlights some of the top innovations and advances in the fabrication of advanced composite materials and their processing technologies while targeting the latest applications. This reference book is meant to be used as a one-stop resource for academics and manufacturing experts, engineers in related fields, and academic researchers. It encapsulates the current trends of today's fabrication and machining processes for advanced composite materials.

In today's context of intricate global challenges, encompassing climate crises, resource scarcity, and social disparities, the imperative for sustainable development has never been more pressing. While academic scholars and researchers are instrumental in crafting solutions, they often grapple with the intricate balance between theoretical concepts and practical implementation. This gap impedes the transformation of innovative ideas into tangible societal progress, leaving a void where effective real-world strategies for cross-industry sustainability should flourish. "Fostering Cross-Industry Sustainability With Intelligent Technologies" seeks to bridge this divide. This book is more than just a collection of pages; it serves as a roadmap for those determined to make a tangible impact. It brings together a diverse group of esteemed experts from various disciplines, offering a comprehensive spectrum of actionable insights, all grounded in the ethical imperatives of inclusivity and environmental responsibility. Anchored in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this volume serves as a guiding star, channeling theoretical expertise into practical solutions. For academic scholars, scientists, innovators, and students alike, Fostering Cross-Industry Sustainability With Intelligent Technologies is the definitive guidepost. It fosters a profound understanding of the real-world implications of research, promoting interdisciplinary collaborations that transcend conventional boundaries. This comprehensive book presents a wealth of sustainable science and intelligent technology applications, all while emphasizing the importance of ethics and societal impact. With visionary insights woven throughout its pages, it calls upon humanity to envision a future where challenges transform into opportunities, and sustainable development becomes an attainable reality.

This volume presents a series of case studies, at different levels of inclusivity, of how organisms exhibit functional convergence as a key evolutionary mechanism resulting in responses to similar environmental constraints in mechanically similar ways. The contributors to this volume have selected and documented cases of convergent evolution of form and function that are perceived to be driven by environmental abiotic and/or biotic challenges that fall within their areas of expertise. Collectively these chapters explore this phenomenon across a broad phylogenetic spectrum. The sequence of chapters follows the organizational principle of increasing phylogenetic inclusivity, rather than the clustering of chapters by perceived similarity of the phenotypic features or biomechanical challenges being considered. This is done to maintain focus on the evolutionary phenomenon that is the primary subject matter of the book, thereby providing a basis for discussion among the readership about what is necessary and sufficient to justify the recognition of functional convergence. All chapters stress the need for integrative approaches for the elucidation of both pattern and process as they relate to convergence at various taxonomic levels.

BIOMIMICRY MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS Since the concept of biomimetics was first developed in 1950, the practical applications of biomimetic materials have created a revolution from biotechnology to medicine and most industrial domains, and are the future of commercial work in nearly all fields. Biomimetic materials are basically synthetic materials or man-made materials which can mimic or copy the properties of natural materials. Scientists have created a revolution by mimicking natural polymers through semi-synthetic or fully synthetic methods. There are different methods to mimic a material, such as copying form and shape, copying the process, and finally mimicking at an ecosystem level. This book comprises a detailed description of the materials used to synthesize and form biomimetic materials. It describes the materials in a way that will be far more convenient and easier to understand. The editors have compiled the book so that it can be used in all areas of research, and it shows the properties, preparations, and applications of biomimetic materials currently being used. Readers of this volume will find that: It introduces the synthesis and formation of biomimetic materials; Provides a thorough overview of many industrial applications, such as textiles, management of plant disease detection, and various applications of electroactive polymers; Presents ideas on sustainability and how biomimicry fits within that arena; Deliberates the importance of biomimicry in novel materials. Audience This is a useful guide for engineers, researchers, and students who work on the synthesis, properties, and applications of existing biomimetic materials in academia and industrial settings.

In a world now forced to address the issues of sustainability, environmental impact, and the widespread pollution of land and oceans with manmade materials, alternative resources must be considered for the future of the planet. A vast array of natural materials is available throughout the world with properties that are often superior to the man-made alternatives. Designing with Natural Materials fills the gap between the current scientific knowledge of the use of natural materials and product design and acts as a bridge between the two disciplines. The book serves as an introduction to natural materials within the context of design. The chapters include case studies, research, and a historical perspective. It develops ideas of designing with natural materials in specific areas and looks to the future of new biobased materials and how these will influence design. The work offers insight to designers of biobased materials across a range of different design disciplines while also providing insights to scientists on the process of design, production, and the needs of a material beyond those traditionally analyzed in the laboratory. The final chapters touch on the use of bioinspiration and biomimicry in the development and use of biobased materials and how natural design will influence both material design and products in the future. The book will be of interest to engineers, scientific researchers, professional designers, students, those working in industry who are considering using natural materials as an alternative to current unsustainable options, and anyone who has an interest in the subject.

Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics and the Affiliated Conferences, Nice, France, 24-27 July 2024.

Photovoltaics Beyond Silicon: Innovative Materials, Sustainable Processing Technologies, and Novel Device Structures presents the latest innovations in materials, processing and devices to produce electricity via advanced, sustainable photovoltaics technologies. The book provides an overview of the novel materials and device architectures that have been developed to optimize energy conversion efficiencies and minimize environmental impacts. Advances in technologies for harnessing solar energy are extensively discussed, with topics including materials processing, device fabrication, sustainability of materials and manufacturing, and the current state-of-the-art. Contributions from leading international experts discuss the applications, challenges and future prospects of research in this increasingly vital field, providing a valuable resource for students and researchers working in this area. - Presents a comprehensive overview and detailed discussion of solar energy technology options for sustainable energy conversion - Provides an understanding of the environmental challenges to be overcome and discusses the importance of efficient materials utilization for clean energy - Looks at how to design materials processing and optimize device fabrication, including metrics such as power-to-weight ratio, effectiveness at EOL compared to BOL, life-cycle analysis