293
we do not go into them in depth. There are plenty of other books
that do that. Our intent is more to impart a broad understanding
of these procedures for the benefit of readers who are not familiar
with them so that the role of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies
can be better understood.
Throughout our discussion, take note of comments concerning the
needed size and scale of various components. The quest of many
nanotechnologists is often stated as making functional devices
smaller and smaller. This is a worthy goal for many products, especially electronic components, sensors, and other devices. On the
other hand, many designed objects are necessarily large by virtue
of the intrinsic rationale for being. (Do we really want walls or
enclosures that are quite literally nanosized around our bedrooms
or automobile interiors?) Hence some of the needs might not all
be about smallness but how to improve the performance of components or elements that are forever large. This fundamental conceptual difference in goals can lead to quite different approaches to
the way nanomaterials can be effectively used. Certainly it leads to
the need for an aggressive look at nanocomposites, nanofilms, and
nanocoatings.
9.2 struCtural and mEChaniCal
EnvironmEnts
Buildings and products invariably have some type of supporting
structural system that provides the necessary framework for maintaining overall integrity in the presence of forces induced by the
environmental or use context. It may be more or less explicitly
expressed. Structural systems in buildings or bridges can have static
qualities, but almost invariably they also need to carry dynamic
forces from wind, earthquake, or use movements. Mechanical
systems that provide specific movement or linkage functions have
components subjected to a wide variety forces and deformations,
and dynamically induced forces are extremely important. In all
these systems, a variety of stresses and deformations are developed
within component members.
Engineers and designers working with materials in the design of
force-carrying components or structures of one type or another
know that there are a host of material properties and characteristics that must be carefully defined and quantified before the material can be effectively used in a design context. We all know of
the radically different characteristics of glass, steel, and a common
Structural and Mechanical Environments
we do not go into them in depth. There are plenty of other books
that do that. Our intent is more to impart a broad understanding
of these procedures for the benefit of readers who are not familiar
with them so that the role of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies
can be better understood.
Throughout our discussion, take note of comments concerning the
needed size and scale of various components. The quest of many
nanotechnologists is often stated as making functional devices
smaller and smaller. This is a worthy goal for many products, especially electronic components, sensors, and other devices. On the
other hand, many designed objects are necessarily large by virtue
of the intrinsic rationale for being. (Do we really want walls or
enclosures that are quite literally nanosized around our bedrooms
or automobile interiors?) Hence some of the needs might not all
be about smallness but how to improve the performance of components or elements that are forever large. This fundamental conceptual difference in goals can lead to quite different approaches to
the way nanomaterials can be effectively used. Certainly it leads to
the need for an aggressive look at nanocomposites, nanofilms, and
nanocoatings.
9.2 struCtural and mEChaniCal
EnvironmEnts
Buildings and products invariably have some type of supporting
structural system that provides the necessary framework for maintaining overall integrity in the presence of forces induced by the
environmental or use context. It may be more or less explicitly
expressed. Structural systems in buildings or bridges can have static
qualities, but almost invariably they also need to carry dynamic
forces from wind, earthquake, or use movements. Mechanical
systems that provide specific movement or linkage functions have
components subjected to a wide variety forces and deformations,
and dynamically induced forces are extremely important. In all
these systems, a variety of stresses and deformations are developed
within component members.
Engineers and designers working with materials in the design of
force-carrying components or structures of one type or another
know that there are a host of material properties and characteristics that must be carefully defined and quantified before the material can be effectively used in a design context. We all know of
the radically different characteristics of glass, steel, and a common
Structural and Mechanical Environments