431
They are widely used in hydraulically based damping systems
for vibration control. In this application, the precise amount of
damping that’s provided can be fine-tuned for the application by
altering viscosity levels (see Section 9.2). These materials have been
used in automotive clutches as parts of power transfer devices,
replacing mechanical interfaces. The stiffness of tires can also be
tuned, thereby proving a way to vary tire stiffness for better cornering or more comfortable straight riding as needed. Surprisingly,
little other than exploratory use has been seen in products such as
furniture, where these kinds of tunable fluids might be used to vary
levels of hardness or softness of seats. Section 9.2 contains a further
discussion of these materials.
smart skins and envelopes
An enormous amount of work has been done in developing various
kinds of surface structures (skins or coverings) that exhibit not
just one but many smart behaviors. Many of these approaches are
essentially equivalent to the “multifunctional” surfaces that are
now a buzzword in materials research, which might include functions varying from antibacterial to self-repairing and others. More
extended versions also typically include different kinds of sensors
that respond to a variety of stimuli and various kinds of response
systems, including direct-active actuators. The sensor/actuator
systems are in turn linked to a comprehensive control/logic system.
Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies offer great potential as both
tiny sensors and actuators and thus have the potential to be quite
easily integrated into surface structures. Going into detail into these
complex systems is beyond the scope of this text, but the subject is
widely discussed in the literature (also see Sections 9.4 and 9.8).
10.4 nanoproduCt Forms
Many primary nanocomposite product forms engage the use of
nanomaterials. Nanoparticles or nanotubes can be distributed
throughout a host matrix made of one or another type of metal,
polymer, or ceramic material. The nanoparticles or nanotubes themselves can be made of various primary materials as well. Polymer
nanocomposites, for example, can have many kinds of nanofillers
(silicas, clays, carbon nanotubes, carbon blacks). The polymer provides the supporting matrix or medium, and the nanofillers largely
provide specific improvements in properties (mechanical, electromagnetic, optical, thermal, chemical), or they can provide many different functional behaviors. Nanoclays, for example, are commonly
Nanoproduct Forms
They are widely used in hydraulically based damping systems
for vibration control. In this application, the precise amount of
damping that’s provided can be fine-tuned for the application by
altering viscosity levels (see Section 9.2). These materials have been
used in automotive clutches as parts of power transfer devices,
replacing mechanical interfaces. The stiffness of tires can also be
tuned, thereby proving a way to vary tire stiffness for better cornering or more comfortable straight riding as needed. Surprisingly,
little other than exploratory use has been seen in products such as
furniture, where these kinds of tunable fluids might be used to vary
levels of hardness or softness of seats. Section 9.2 contains a further
discussion of these materials.
smart skins and envelopes
An enormous amount of work has been done in developing various
kinds of surface structures (skins or coverings) that exhibit not
just one but many smart behaviors. Many of these approaches are
essentially equivalent to the “multifunctional” surfaces that are
now a buzzword in materials research, which might include functions varying from antibacterial to self-repairing and others. More
extended versions also typically include different kinds of sensors
that respond to a variety of stimuli and various kinds of response
systems, including direct-active actuators. The sensor/actuator
systems are in turn linked to a comprehensive control/logic system.
Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies offer great potential as both
tiny sensors and actuators and thus have the potential to be quite
easily integrated into surface structures. Going into detail into these
complex systems is beyond the scope of this text, but the subject is
widely discussed in the literature (also see Sections 9.4 and 9.8).
10.4 nanoproduCt Forms
Many primary nanocomposite product forms engage the use of
nanomaterials. Nanoparticles or nanotubes can be distributed
throughout a host matrix made of one or another type of metal,
polymer, or ceramic material. The nanoparticles or nanotubes themselves can be made of various primary materials as well. Polymer
nanocomposites, for example, can have many kinds of nanofillers
(silicas, clays, carbon nanotubes, carbon blacks). The polymer provides the supporting matrix or medium, and the nanofillers largely
provide specific improvements in properties (mechanical, electromagnetic, optical, thermal, chemical), or they can provide many different functional behaviors. Nanoclays, for example, are commonly
Nanoproduct Forms