Items related to Smart materials and structures technologies: The impending...
Synopsis
Materials technology has had such a profound impact on the evolutionary status of Homo sapiens that historians have characterized several distinct time-periods in the evolution of human civilization by terms such as the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. The classical quest for superior products in the commercial, industrial and military segments of the economy, which were responsible for these eras, is very much in evidence today as the time-scale approaches the year 2000. Humankind’s insatiable demand for materials with superior performance characteristics has already precipitated the age of synthetic composite materials. Whereas the first record of this embryonic technology dates back to1446 B.C., the field has lain dormant until the burgeoning activities in the latter half of the 20th century. This document reports on one of these activities which is focused on the development of innovative classes of ultra-advanced smart materials and structures technologies. Whereas the materials technologies inspired by mankind’s quest to conquer the last frontier of space have had a profound effect on the technology bases, the dawn of the 21st century will witness the revolution in smart materials and structures technologies which is an outgrowth of the technologies spawned by the aerospace industries. This revolution will proved the nervous system, the brains, and the muscles for the existing advanced materials and structures which are a mere skeleton at this time compared with the anatomy perceived in the not-too-distant future. This quantum jump in materials technology will revolutionize the future in ways far more dramatic than the way the chip has catalyzed the evolution of the electronics industry. This intelligent report has been compiled by the professional staff of Hy-Tech International, which includes research scientists, business management consultants and economists.
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