Adaptronics and Smart Structures: Basics, Materials, Design, by Hartmut Janocha

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However, the intelligence features that the adaptronic materials community is trying to create have constraints that the engineering world has never experienced before, but that the biological world seems to accept with simplicity and grace. Namely, the tremendous number of sensors, actuators, and their associated power sources compels us to supersede the conventional central processor architecture whereby every piece of sensor and actuator information must be stored and manipulated electronically.

3. Induced-strain Actuation for Aeroelastic and Vibration Control Aeroelastic and vibration control technology allows flight vehicles to operate beyond the traditional flutter boundaries, improves ride qualities, and minimizes vibration fatigue damage. Conventional active flutter and vibration control technology relies on the use of aerodynamic control surfaces operated by servo-hydraulic actuators. In this conventional configuration, the Fig. 3. 3 Application Examples 19 flutter and vibration suppression algorithms are implemented through the servo-valve/hydraulic actuator.

The electro-bio-chemical devices that we refer to as neurons are not nearly as fast as our silicon devices; however, nature has developed a wonderful way of processing information that allows rather complex tasks to be performed with amazing speed. The key appears to be a hierarchical architecture in which signal processing and the resulting action can take place at levels below and far removed from the central processor, the brain. Removing your hand from a hot stove to prevent getting burned (damage to the system) need only be processed locally, i.