395
want intelligent environments to ultimately do. This latter topic is
fascinating but largely beyond the scope of this book. (See Further
Reading for a more extensive list of sources on smart or intelligent
environments.) Here we focus more on material/technology-related
concerns and opportunities.
nanomaterials and
nanotechnology applications
Developments in these areas can potentially be greatly enhanced
by nano-based approaches. We have already seen several examples
of applications, including self-damping systems used for vibration
control in cable-supported bridges or buildings, that are based
on magnetorheological fluids that can in turn be enhanced via
nanoparticles with improved magnetic properties (Section 9.2)
and transparency-changing windows (Section 9.5). Behaviors such
as these are the basis for many larger approaches to smartness
when they are coupled with sensor/control systems that activate
them during appropriate conditions. Other approaches that need
not include sensor/controls systems include self-healing surfaces
or the self-cleaning or antimicrobial surfaces noted previously that
are based on nanosized titanium dioxide particles. (These surfaces are discussed in Section 10.2.) Surfaces such as these would
be an important component in any kind of smart or intelligent
room directed toward health or medical applications or even for
everyday cleanliness in kitchens, bathrooms, and other common
spaces.
Many interactive, smart, or intelligent environments already use a
variety of sensory technologies; nonetheless, it remains surprising
how few sensor, control, and actuation devices are actually used in
most current applications. Difficulties in precisely locating a few
sensors in relation to the measurand remain problematic. More are
invariably needed to capture necessary information. Devices that
are used are also often quite visibly intrusive due to their size and
often appear as “add-ons” to wall, ceiling, or floor surfaces in a
room—a fact known to cause occupant behaviors to change (who
has not acted at least a bit differently when in front of a Webcam?).
An immediate stated desire of designers of these kinds of environments is to have perfectly seamless integration of involved
sensors and actuators with the surfaces of products in the space or
within surfaces of the surrounding room. Even more speculative
approaches that question the very surfaces themselves are discussed
in the literature (see Further Reading).
Interactive, Smart, and Intelligent Systems and Environments
want intelligent environments to ultimately do. This latter topic is
fascinating but largely beyond the scope of this book. (See Further
Reading for a more extensive list of sources on smart or intelligent
environments.) Here we focus more on material/technology-related
concerns and opportunities.
nanomaterials and
nanotechnology applications
Developments in these areas can potentially be greatly enhanced
by nano-based approaches. We have already seen several examples
of applications, including self-damping systems used for vibration
control in cable-supported bridges or buildings, that are based
on magnetorheological fluids that can in turn be enhanced via
nanoparticles with improved magnetic properties (Section 9.2)
and transparency-changing windows (Section 9.5). Behaviors such
as these are the basis for many larger approaches to smartness
when they are coupled with sensor/control systems that activate
them during appropriate conditions. Other approaches that need
not include sensor/controls systems include self-healing surfaces
or the self-cleaning or antimicrobial surfaces noted previously that
are based on nanosized titanium dioxide particles. (These surfaces are discussed in Section 10.2.) Surfaces such as these would
be an important component in any kind of smart or intelligent
room directed toward health or medical applications or even for
everyday cleanliness in kitchens, bathrooms, and other common
spaces.
Many interactive, smart, or intelligent environments already use a
variety of sensory technologies; nonetheless, it remains surprising
how few sensor, control, and actuation devices are actually used in
most current applications. Difficulties in precisely locating a few
sensors in relation to the measurand remain problematic. More are
invariably needed to capture necessary information. Devices that
are used are also often quite visibly intrusive due to their size and
often appear as “add-ons” to wall, ceiling, or floor surfaces in a
room—a fact known to cause occupant behaviors to change (who
has not acted at least a bit differently when in front of a Webcam?).
An immediate stated desire of designers of these kinds of environments is to have perfectly seamless integration of involved
sensors and actuators with the surfaces of products in the space or
within surfaces of the surrounding room. Even more speculative
approaches that question the very surfaces themselves are discussed
in the literature (see Further Reading).
Interactive, Smart, and Intelligent Systems and Environments