On the influence of functional materials on engineering design

To obtain a better understanding of how to make use of functional materials in engineering design, the design-related behaviors of some of these mater ials have been analyzed and discussed with reference to a general design pr ocedure model and the design fools currently available. The functional mate rials subjected to this examination are shape memory alloys, piezoelectric materials and magnetostrictive materials. The discussion has been carried o ut with a major focus on how benefits might be gained by selecting the func tional material and utilizing complementary design tools at an early stage of the design process.