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In architecture, there has long been a host of systems involving
sensors and controls that aid in maintaining basic functionalities
and comfort levels with respect to lighting, thermal, air, and other
environmental factors. In major buildings telecommunications
systems are common as well. Still, it is hard to argue that building
systems of this type are particularly sophisticated. Most individuals
have probably experienced temperature fluctuations in a space and
have searched through several rooms looking for the single thermostat that controls the thermal conditions present (Why are there not
sensors literally everywhere that would offer the possibility of more
carefully fine-tuning the thermal environment in different spaces?).
Nonetheless, there are increasing trends toward more sophisticated
approaches. As with other industries, primary driving forces such
as improved use experiences, energy-use minimization, overall cost
reductions, and so forth (see Chapter 12) naturally lead to more
extensive use of electronic systems for control, communication,
and other functions. As a simple example, architecture has long
relied on passive means (such as shading devices) of controlling
heat gains from solar radiation impinging on a building. However,
active means are possible as well—for example, façades that selectively allow or block heat gains from solar radiation as needed,
depending on both external and internal thermal conditions.
Active systems invariably involve sensors, transducers, actuators,
and control systems. These systems, in turn, are poised to benefit
enormously from expected advances in the more basic enabling
technologies. Control components are expected to become much
more localized to both individual spaces and to individuals.
Looking more to the future, many of the most exciting areas of innovation in both products and environments (architectural, vehicular)
can be captured with words such as interactivity, smartness, and intelligence. Interactive systems or environments involve a response to
the action of a user. Smart or intelligent systems or environments
have their strongest basis in complex sensor-based electronic and
computational systems, but many rely on the characteristics of property-changing smart materials as well (see Sections 9.8 and 10.2).
In automobile design, for example, many efforts are directed toward
creating smart systems for driving condition and traffic context awareness. Smart mirrors use photochromics for reducing glare detected
by sensors. In buildings, smart systems of one type or another are
being developed for use in airports to identify passengers passing
through security and couple identifications with visa, passport, and
other information. Intelligent rooms are being developed that are
oriented toward aiding in task performance or enhancing lifestyles
Electrical and Magnetic Environments
In architecture, there has long been a host of systems involving
sensors and controls that aid in maintaining basic functionalities
and comfort levels with respect to lighting, thermal, air, and other
environmental factors. In major buildings telecommunications
systems are common as well. Still, it is hard to argue that building
systems of this type are particularly sophisticated. Most individuals
have probably experienced temperature fluctuations in a space and
have searched through several rooms looking for the single thermostat that controls the thermal conditions present (Why are there not
sensors literally everywhere that would offer the possibility of more
carefully fine-tuning the thermal environment in different spaces?).
Nonetheless, there are increasing trends toward more sophisticated
approaches. As with other industries, primary driving forces such
as improved use experiences, energy-use minimization, overall cost
reductions, and so forth (see Chapter 12) naturally lead to more
extensive use of electronic systems for control, communication,
and other functions. As a simple example, architecture has long
relied on passive means (such as shading devices) of controlling
heat gains from solar radiation impinging on a building. However,
active means are possible as well—for example, façades that selectively allow or block heat gains from solar radiation as needed,
depending on both external and internal thermal conditions.
Active systems invariably involve sensors, transducers, actuators,
and control systems. These systems, in turn, are poised to benefit
enormously from expected advances in the more basic enabling
technologies. Control components are expected to become much
more localized to both individual spaces and to individuals.
Looking more to the future, many of the most exciting areas of innovation in both products and environments (architectural, vehicular)
can be captured with words such as interactivity, smartness, and intelligence. Interactive systems or environments involve a response to
the action of a user. Smart or intelligent systems or environments
have their strongest basis in complex sensor-based electronic and
computational systems, but many rely on the characteristics of property-changing smart materials as well (see Sections 9.8 and 10.2).
In automobile design, for example, many efforts are directed toward
creating smart systems for driving condition and traffic context awareness. Smart mirrors use photochromics for reducing glare detected
by sensors. In buildings, smart systems of one type or another are
being developed for use in airports to identify passengers passing
through security and couple identifications with visa, passport, and
other information. Intelligent rooms are being developed that are
oriented toward aiding in task performance or enhancing lifestyles
Electrical and Magnetic Environments