Preface xv
all across the literature. A case in point occurs in Chapter 8 of this
book, which presents coverage of the many different synthesis
processes used for making nanomaterials. There are many indepth discussions throughout the literature of specific synthesis
methods, such as soft lithography or sol-gel deposition methods,
but these same discussions do not comprehensively cover other
techniques. The approach here is to explore all primary methods
of nanosynthesis and the mechanical, thermal, optical, and electrical properties they create—a comprehensive view that will be
welcomed by teachers of engineering and material scientists. A
broad knowledge of resulting properties is important, too, for any
designer or engineer trying to use nanomaterials. It can be difficult
to locate real values for properties of nanomaterials; a mechanical
property may be reported in one source, a thermal property in
another. In writing this book, considerable effort was put into
sifting through the literature to identify credible values for primary
properties.
Even once some of these properties are known, experience in the
design world suggests that these values have to be placed in comparison to more traditional materials before they will be used,
particularly given the higher costs of nano-based materials. A good
way to explore materials and to select them to meet specific design
objectives is to present their properties as “material property charts.”
These charts give a graphical overview of material attributes and
allow comparisons to be made between them, as well as serving as
a basis for more advanced material selection and related design
techniques. Critical properties of various nanomaterials have now
been incorporated into these kinds of charts, facilitating an understanding of where and how to effectively use nanomaterials within
a design context.
In a broader sense, another unique feature of the book is the overall
orientation to applications. Discussions are focused around thinking about products and buildings via the nature of the involved
physical environments, systems, and assemblies. Environments may
alternatively be considered either as an integral part of a design,
such spaces as within a building, or as defining the context within
which a product operates or is reflective of its salient mode of
operation. Systems are generally defined as physical components
or parts that work interactively to provide some particular type of
function. In both products and buildings, broad considerations of
thermal, sound, lighting, and mechanical environments and their
related functional systems are invariably important and invariably
influence the definition of needed material properties; consequently
all across the literature. A case in point occurs in Chapter 8 of this
book, which presents coverage of the many different synthesis
processes used for making nanomaterials. There are many indepth discussions throughout the literature of specific synthesis
methods, such as soft lithography or sol-gel deposition methods,
but these same discussions do not comprehensively cover other
techniques. The approach here is to explore all primary methods
of nanosynthesis and the mechanical, thermal, optical, and electrical properties they create—a comprehensive view that will be
welcomed by teachers of engineering and material scientists. A
broad knowledge of resulting properties is important, too, for any
designer or engineer trying to use nanomaterials. It can be difficult
to locate real values for properties of nanomaterials; a mechanical
property may be reported in one source, a thermal property in
another. In writing this book, considerable effort was put into
sifting through the literature to identify credible values for primary
properties.
Even once some of these properties are known, experience in the
design world suggests that these values have to be placed in comparison to more traditional materials before they will be used,
particularly given the higher costs of nano-based materials. A good
way to explore materials and to select them to meet specific design
objectives is to present their properties as “material property charts.”
These charts give a graphical overview of material attributes and
allow comparisons to be made between them, as well as serving as
a basis for more advanced material selection and related design
techniques. Critical properties of various nanomaterials have now
been incorporated into these kinds of charts, facilitating an understanding of where and how to effectively use nanomaterials within
a design context.
In a broader sense, another unique feature of the book is the overall
orientation to applications. Discussions are focused around thinking about products and buildings via the nature of the involved
physical environments, systems, and assemblies. Environments may
alternatively be considered either as an integral part of a design,
such spaces as within a building, or as defining the context within
which a product operates or is reflective of its salient mode of
operation. Systems are generally defined as physical components
or parts that work interactively to provide some particular type of
function. In both products and buildings, broad considerations of
thermal, sound, lighting, and mechanical environments and their
related functional systems are invariably important and invariably
influence the definition of needed material properties; consequently