Integration of intelligent sensors and actuators in materials

Abstract

Sensors and actuators are fundamental components of automation and information systems. Diverse sensors and actuators exploit the distinctive features of diverse materials to gather, convert, display, and analyze information. The materials employed for sensors and actuators include metals, ceramics, organics, semiconductors, and composites, which amalgamate the benefits of these four categories to enhance performance. This chapter summarizes the techniques and methods for developing and producing the composites utilized in sensors and actuators. A concise review is provided on the definitions, compositions, characteristics, classifications, designs, and applications of conventional intelligent composites derived from shape-memory alloys, piezoelectric materials, optical fibers, carbon materials, magnetorestrictive materials, and intelligent polymer materials.