R.W. (Nanjing University of Aerospace and Astronautics, China) Chen & W.M. (Chongqing University, China) Chen 
World Forum on Smart Materials and Smart Structures Technology [PDF ebook] 
Proceedings of SMSST’07, World Forum on Smart Materials and Smart Structures Technology (SMSST 07), China, 22-27 May, 2007

Research in smart materials and structures seeks to apply multifunctional capabilities of new and existing materials to develop structures and systems that are capable of self-sensing and monitoring, self-diagnosis and prognosis with intelligence, self-healing and repair, and adaptive response to prevent loss of human life and catastrophe, to minimize maintenance and life-cycle costs, and to prolong service life. This book provides the critical knowledge and technological bases required for meeting one of the ultimate engineering challenges: the design and construction of smart structures and systems.