From composites to smart materials

Conclusions of the symposium

Des matériaux composites aux matériaux intelligents

Programme Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur les Matériaux (PIRMAT), CNRS, Nancy

Abstract

Man-created smart materials providing intelligent systems are the result of the coordination of several complementary functions altogether able of an adaptated reply to environmental events. The more intelligent the material- system is, the closer it is from the system which is, ideally, a microsystem. The research of this topic is not oriented by considerations coming from the materials involved, but from the functions that are to be assumed.

The results presented during this symposium show nevertheless that both miniaturization and interconnection of materials are the key difficulties which need to be solved by new developments in the understanding of the relations between synthesis, structure and properties of materials. It is a further step of composite materials which adds to structural propeerties multifunctional abilities, to reach almost biomimetic abilities.

But these properties of autodiagnosis, genesis, selfrepairs, selfdegradation, learning, notification, recognition ... lack of the creating intuition in front of an unforeseen event, which characterizes intelligence.

The trend toward adaptative materials is a challenge that the research institution have to meet by taking into account the social and human needs in the definition of their research propgrammes. The problems are no more posed by the scientific community alone, but by a debate between scientists and the expectations of the market.