The best books on the world of smart materials

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a faculty in Materials Science and along with my colleague researcher Dr. Arun DI, I have published many research articles in the field of Smart materials, specifically shape-memory materials. We have developed Polyurethane based space-grade shape-memory nanocomposite and have proven electro-active shape memory effect with the highest recovery efficiency reported so far. We are continuing our research in the field of smart and intelligent materials which we believe will benefit the advanced application fields such as space exploration.


I wrote...

Shape Memory Materials

By Arun D. I., P Chakravarthy, Arockia Kumar R , Santhosh B

Book cover of Shape Memory Materials

What is my book about?

The book provides an overall understanding of different types of shape memory materials with explanations suitable for beginners, students, and veteran researchers in both academia and industry. It is equally helpful to the experts who wish to frame their activities and knowledge within the larger field and explore creative applications. All varieties of shape memory materials such as alloys, gels, hybrids, polymers, composites, etc., are dealt with in a structured way that starts with a brief history, the fundamental principles involved in the effect, specific applications, and the challenges faced at various stages.

All of the chapters conclude with a smooth transition to the next topic backed with ample references bibliography having the latest as well as the pioneering research articles in the field.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Polyurethane Shape Memory Polymers

P Chakravarthy Why did I love this book?

The book details the basics of shape memory alloys, gels, polymers, hybrids, and their composites. It describes the physical, mechanical, thermal, and chemical features along with the fabrication, characterization, and application aspects well addressed. The various questions that come to mind while dealing with polyurethane shape memory are clarified in simple language.

By W.M. Huang, Bin Yang, Yong Qing Fu

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Polyurethane Shape Memory Polymers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are some of the most important and valuable engineering materials developed in the last 25 years. These fascinating materials demonstrate remarkably versatile properties-including capacity for actuation and stimulus responsiveness-that are enabling technologists to develop applications used to explore everything from the outer reaches of space to the inside of the human body.

Polyurethane Shape Memory Polymers details the fundamentals of SMP makeup, as well as their shape-recovery features and their seemingly endless potential for use in applications ranging from the macro- to submicron scales. With an abundance of illustrations and vivid pictures to explain how SMPs…


Book cover of Fundamentals of Smart Materials

P Chakravarthy Why did I love this book?

This book covers almost all the aspects of smart materials, not limiting to fundamentals, fabrications, applications, etc. It gives prime importance to the science of intelligence with proper illustrations, explanations, and the associated problems with solutions. Undergraduates, post-graduate students as well as researchers will find it very useful to understand the basics of intelligent material physiology and chemistry behind them.

By Mohsen Shahinpoor (editor),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Fundamentals of Smart Materials as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Smart materials are of significant interest and this is the first textbook to provide a comprehensive graduate level view of topics that relate to this field. Fundamentals of Smart Materials consists of a workbook and solutions manual covering the basics of different functional material systems aimed at advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Topics include piezoelectric materials, magnetostrictive materials, shape memory alloys, mechanochromic materials, thermochromic materials, chemomechanical polymers and self-healing materials. Each chapter provides an introduction to the material, its applications and uses with example problems, fabrication and manufacturing techniques, conclusions, homework problems and a bibliography.

Edited by a leading researcher…


Book cover of Smart Polyurethane Shape Memory Polymers

P Chakravarthy Why did I love this book?

Details about the polyurethane shape memory mechanism have been explained at a molecular level, which will be useful for beginners as well as researchers. Analytical understanding of such phenomenon is significant while dealing with fabrication, characterization, and application. These aspects are well covered in this book which are useful for undergraduate students and beginners.

By Manzoor Ahmad,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Smart Polyurethane Shape Memory Polymers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) possess a unique property of retaining their original shapes upon external stimulation and have been widely used in engineering, space exploration and particularly in medical devices. Polyurethane based SMPs (SMPUs) are an emerging class of this types of smart materials. This book shows methods to synthesize various polyurethane SMPUs with tailored thermomechanical and shape memory properties by uisng various polyol soft segments and combinations of diisocyanides hard segments, and presents a formula to synthsize reprocessable and recyclable SMPUs which allows recycling of end-of-life SMPU products in industrial scale and can significantly reduce the impact of polymer…


Book cover of Composite Materials: Science and Engineering

P Chakravarthy Why did I love this book?

The basics of composite materials, reinforcements-Matrix materials, their interfaces, categories of composite materials, micro/macro mechanics, mechanical aspects involved in composite engineering, etc., are covered in detail in this book. The concepts involved in composite systems are well explained for any enthusiast in the field.

By Krishan K. Chawla,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Composite Materials as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Focusing on the relationship between structure and properties, this is a well-balanced treatment of the mechanics and the materials science of composites, while not neglecting the importance of processing. This updated second edition contains new chapters on fatigue and creep of composites, and describes in detail how the various reinforcements, the materials in which they are embedded, and of the interfaces between them, control the properties of the composite materials at both the micro- and macro-levels. Extensive use is made of micrographs and line drawings, and examples of practical applications in various fields are given throughout the book, together with…


Book cover of Polymer Nanocomposites: Processing, Characterization, and Applications

P Chakravarthy Why did I love this book?

The book begins with an introduction to the key technologies and processes involved in the field of nanocomposite systems. The structural, mechanical, thermal, electrical properties of nanocomposites. The applications in the fields of aerospace, transportations, energy, healthcare, etc. are discussed in detail with the target audience from a wide range of researchers from academia as well as industry.

By Joseph Koo,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Polymer Nanocomposites as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Learn to create lightweight, versatile plastics using cutting-edge polymer nanocomposite technology
This thoroughly revised guide offers a concise introduction to polymer nanocomposites that is ideal for engineers who need to use nanomaterials in real-world situations. Written by a recognized expert in the field, the book explains how polymer nanocomposites can be used in the aerospace, transportation, construction, energy, health care, textile, and packaging industries.
Polymer Nanocomposites: Properties and Applications, Second Edition begins with an overview of key technologies and processes. From there, readers will get in-depth discussions of each topic, including structural, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties as well as…


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Book cover of Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

Jim Brown Author Of Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

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Why am I passionate about this?

I have spent my entire professional life quietly patrolling the frontiers of understanding human consciousness. I was an early adopter in the burgeoning field of biofeedback, then neurofeedback and neuroscience, plus theory and practices of humanistic and transpersonal psychology, plus steeping myself in systems theory as a context for all these other fields of focus. I hold a MS in psychology from San Francisco State University and a PhD from Saybrook Institute. I live in Mount Shasta CA with Molly, my life partner for over 60 years. We have two sons and two grandchildren.

Jim's book list on brain, mind, and consciousness

What is my book about?

In this thoroughly researched and exquisitely crafted treatise, Jim Brown synthesizes the newest understandings in neuroscience, developmental psychology, and dynamical systems theory for educators and others committed to nurturing human development.

He explains complex concepts in down-to-earth terms, suggesting how these understandings can transform education to engender optimal learning and intelligence. He explores the nature of consciousness, intelligence, and mind.

Brown then offers a model of optimal human learning through lifelong brain development within a supportive culture--drawing on the work of Piaget, Erickson, Maslow, Kohlberg, and Steiner--and how that work is being vastly expanded by neuroscience and dynamical systems thinking.

Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

By Jim Brown,

What is this book about?

In this thoroughly-researched and exquisitely crafted treatise, Jim Brown synthesizes the newest understandings in neuroscience, developmental psychology, and dynamical systems theory for educators and others committed to nurturing human development. He explains complex concepts in down-to-earth terms, suggesting how these understandings can transform education to truly engender optimal learning and intelligence. He explores the nature of consciousness, intelligence, and mind. Brown then offers a model of optimal human learning through life-long brain development within a supportive culture--drawing on the work of Piaget, Erickson, Maslow, Kohlberg, and Steiner--and how that work is being vastly expanded by neuroscience and dynamical systems thinking.


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