STATE-OF-THE-ART AND TRENDS IN USING SMART MATERIALS AND SYSTEMS IN TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES

An overview is given on state-of-the-art development and future trends in integrating sensing, actuation and control functions into transpor tation vehicles. After categorizing the wide range of smart materials and systems various applications from the aerospace, automotive and ra ilway sector are described, which are either already in use or very mu ch considered for application. This includes systems for damage monito ring and situation awareness using smart sensors and antennae, autonom ous driving based on smart cameras, thermal and electrical controlled actuation in engines and for comfort improvement, systems for vibratio n damping and noise cancellation and much more. Technology gaps to be closed in future research activities are described.