Photomechanical Materials, Composites, and Systems: Wireless Transduction of Light into Work

Photomechanical materials direct functional responses in polymer materials and composites giving them strong potential to function as soft actuators or topographical surfaces in aerospace, automotive, and biomedical applications.

This book links a material s photomechanical output to the mechanics, chemistry, and physics of applied polymer systems. Its interdisciplinary coverage uses a team of diverse authors to bridge polymer / materials chemistry, physics, and mechanics. Chapters address specific types of materials like crystals and nanocomposites along with applications in areas including shape–memory, optics, and photonics; before concluding with an outlook on future directions and challenges.

For practicing polymer and materials scientists in academia or industry, Photomechanical Materials, Composites, and Systems:  Wireless Transduction of Light into Work offers a valuable one–stop reference and resource that:

          Reviews the history and future development of a growing and dynamic area of polymer materials R&D

          Illustrates the chemistry, physics, and materials engineering of light–controlled systems

          Describes photomechanical mechanisms and polymer / composite synthesis, along with key applications

Timothy J. White, PhD, is Senior Research Engineer in the Photonic Materials Branch at the Air Force Research Laboratory. He has organized numerous sessions at professional meetings, holds four patents, and has published over 90 peer–reviewed papers.