Intelligent fibrous materials

The development of intelligent materials, i.e. materials that usually have a dramatic and reversible response to one or more external stimuli, is crit ically reviewed, with emphasis on intelligent fibrous materials. Initial de velopments and concepts were made,vith shape-memory metal alloys, followed by polymeric gels, and, more recently, intelligent fibrous materials. Examp les of intelligent metals, polymer gels, and fibrous products are presented , and new applications and products based on fibrous intelligent materials are explored.