Symposium G
Emboding Intelligence in Structures and
Integrated Systems
Advisory Board
Invited Speakers


Research is actively pursued aimed at applying multifunctional capabilities of smartness and intelligence to existing and novel structures and systems. Degree of smartness/intelligence varies from semi-passive smart materials which adaptively respond to an external stimulus by varying some of their characteristics, to mechatronic systems that embody the inherent capability of self-sensing, diagnosis and control by the synergistic integration of smart materials, sensors, actuators and control electronics. The dream is for future structures and systems where integrated smart devices would be used to sense exogenous stimuli and internal material conditions, decide on course of action, and then autonomously implement an effective reaction strategy.
A number of applications and integrations of smart materials, devices and structures into industrial systems are emerging nowadays and more are in the offing, driven by the availability of new multifunctional materials and by the exponential increase in computing capabilities, and refined design, modelling, control and optimisation strategies that create the premises for a potential expansion to smart autonomous structures and systems.
The conference, which follows the one on the same subject organized in the frames of CIMTEC 2008, will highlight advances in adaptive materials and in novel sensor/actuator and micro systems, and their integration in mechatronic structures and systems of various complexities.

Among the scopes of the Symposium will be

  1. Physical mechanisms, constitution behaviour, processing characterization and modelling of new smart and multifunctional materials and devices for intelligent structures and systems
  2. system level evaluation of smart structures,
  3. the interplay of actuation, sensing and processing capabilities,
  4. the ideation and numerical modelling and simulation of new actuation and sensing techniques for integrated systems,
  5. the analysis, design and testing of active/passive smart dynamic and static structural components and signal processing,
  6. micro and nano technology, control electronics and materials science involved in interfacing different materials and functions
  7. reports on traditional industrial systems where the incorporation of smart materials and integrated devices favours an enabling new capability or remarkable performance enhancement and/or cost reduction
  8. solutions to new industrial and commercial applications of smart materials and integrated structures that have well matured beyond the concept stage and new ideas and directions for future developments

Contributions are seeked from experts of materials science, theoretical and applied mechanics, electronics, electromechanics and manufacturing.

Session Topics


G-1 Smart Materials/Sensors/Actuators/MEMS/NEMS

  • Ferroelectrics, piezoelectrics, electrostrictives, magnetostrictives
  • Shape memory metals and polymers
  • ER/MR fluids, ferrofluids
  • Multifunctional (nano)materials and (nano)composites
  • Self healing materials systems
  • Multifunctional sensors and sensor networks
  • Wireless sensors networks
  • Sensors for harsh and extreme environments
  • Fibre optics sensors
  • Nanosensors
  • Actuator and nano
  • actuator devices
  • MEMS/NEMS technologies
  • Physical mechanisms, constitutive behaviour
  • Software tool and optimal design
  • On-duty smart materials and devices behaviour
  • Modelling of smart materials and sensor/actuator performance

G-2 Integration Technologies

  • Embedded and distributed sensors: simulation, performance, self-diagnostics
  • Sensor characterisation, qualification, standardisation, reliability
  • Sensor/actuator coupling with structure, interfaces and interfacial problems
  • Energy transfer mechanisms, structural dynamics
  • Energy harvesting and scavegning
  • Integrated micro- and nano-structures
  • Mechatronic systems integration
  • Model development and control design for integrated systems and microsystems
  • Optimisation techniques for sensor/actuator selection, architecture and feedback design
  • Signal processing: data mining, neural networks,
    data fusion for large sensor arrays, fault recognition and recovery
  • Remote control and communication

G-3 Smart Structures and Integrated Systems

  • Passive, active and hybrid vibration control systems
  • Active and semi-active shape control
  • Smart components, devices and sub-assemblies
  • Nastic and morphing structures
  • Fault tolerant structures
  • Structural health monitoring
  • Damage detection, mitigation and repair
  • Remote sensing
  • Adaptive and self/diagnosing structures
  • Autonomous intelligent structures and sensing systems

G-4 Bio-inspired materials and structures

  • Structure property relations
  • Composites and nanomaterials
  • Sensing and actuation
  • Engineering applications

G-5 Ongoing and Perspective Applications

  • Aerospace, MAV/UAV
  • Morphing systems
  • Civil engineering
  • Defense
  • Naval and ground transportation
  • Marine and offshore structures
  • Flexible robotics
  • Energy systems
  • Communication technologies

Special Session G-6
Advances and Challenges in the SHM of Civil and Aerospace Structures



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