Functionally Graded Materials VIII

Book excerpt: Multifunctional materials are composite systems that exhibit useful responses to electrical, optical, magnetic and/or mechanical stimuli. They allow the compact and economic integration of two or more functions; which can be mechanical, biological, acoustic, thermal, electrical, magnetic, optical or sensory in nature. Functionally graded materials (FGM) are also multi-functional materials, which exhibit spatial variations in composition and/or microstructure; created with the specific purpose of controlling variations in thermal, structural or functional properties. In spite of large differences in the type and size scale of the materials considered, many common features exist, thus furnishing a rationale for grouping these materials together in one book. The topics covered include: structural applications, materials for information technology, energy conversion materials and devices, biomedical materials and their applications, multifunctional materials for sensors and actuators, eco-materials, thin films and coatings, modeling and simulations, testing and characterization, processing of materials.Overall, the book provides an excellent overview of the latest scientific and technological results in the field of FGMs, Multi-FGMs and related fields.