This book is concerned with electrostructural systems, particularly the interaction between the control of the structural and electrical (electronic) components. Structronics is a new emerging area with many potential applications in the design of high-performance structures, adaptive structures, high-precision systems, and micro-systems. As structures are increasingly being controlled by electronics, the problems of structural engineering can be separated less and less from those of electronic engineering and control engineering. This graduate-level book fills a gap in the literature by considering these problems while giving an overview of the current state of analysis, modelling and control for structronic systems. It is a coherent compendium written by leading experts in this new research area and gives readers a sophisticated toolbox that will allow them to tackle the modelling and control of smart structures. The inclusion of an extensive, up-to-date bibliography and index makes this volume an invaluable standard for professional reference.Because of the large number of contributions to the present volume, it has been subdivided into two parts, of which this is Part I. This book will be of interest to engineers, materials scientists, physicists and applied mathematicians.The synergistic integration of active (smart) materials, structures, sensors, actuators, and control electronics has redefined the concept of structures from a conventional passive elastic system to an active (life-like) structronic (structure + electronic) system with inherent self-sensing, diagnosis, and control capabilities. Because of its multi-disciplinary nature, the development of structronic systems has attracted researchers and scientists from many disciplines, such as structures, materials, control, electronics, mathematics, manufacturing, electromechanics, and mechanics. In practical applications, this new structronic system can be used as a component of high-performance machines or structural systems, or be an integrated structure itself performing designated function(s).Most common active (smart) materials, such as piezoelectrics, shape-memory alloys, electro- and magneto-strictive materials, and polyelectrolyte gels have been reviewed in Part I. Application examples are also provided and research issues reported on. While the first part focuses primarily on materials and structures, Part II emphasizes control applications and intelligent systems. With the information provided in this two-volume book, scientists and researchers can easily grasp the state of the art of smart materials and structronic systems, and are ready to pursue their own research and development endeavors.Contents:Part I: Materials and StructuresThe Piezoelectric Vibration Absorber Systems (J Holkamp & T Starchville, Jr.)Self-Sensing Control Applied to Smart Material Systems (E Garcia & L D Jones)An Introduction to Active Constrained Layer Damping Treatments (S Shen)Static and Dynamic Behavior of Adaptive Wings Carrying Externally Mounted Stores (L Librescu & O Song)Adaptive Design and Active Composite Material Systems (J Tani & J-H Qiu)Microelectromechanics and Functionality of Segmented Cylindrical Transducers (H-S Tzou et al.)Thermomechanical Modeling of Shape Memory Alloys and Composites (D Lagoudas et al.)Active-Passive Hybrid Structural Vibration Controls Via Piezoelectrical Networks (K-W Wang & S Kahn)On-Line Structural Damage Detection (H Shen)On Material Degradation and Failure of Piezoelectric Ceramics (H Sosa)Part II: Systems and ControlNear-Minimum-Time Slewing and Vibration Control of Smart Structures(Y Kim et al.)Active Polyelectrolyte Gels as Electrically Controllable Artificial Muscles and Intelligent Network Structures(M Shahinpoor)Active Dynamic Absorbers — Theory and Application(S Tewani et al.)Active Vibration Sink for Flexible Structures(C-S Chou)Distributed Modal-Space Control and Estimation with Electroelastic Applications(H Öz)Markov Parameters in System Identification: Old and New Concepts(M Q Phan et al.)Effect of System Non-Linearities on the Modified Model Reference Adaptive Control Scheme(H M Sardar & M Ahmadian)Extending Teach-Repeat to Nonholonomic Robots(S B Skaar & J-D Yoder)Dynamic Analysis and Active Vibration Control of Chain Drive Systems(C-A Tan et al.)Basic Concepts of Fault-Tolerant Computing Design(C Aktouf et al.)Readership: Applied mathematicians, applied physicists and mechanical engineers.Key Features:Includes innovative and creative analyses of a range of ethical and legal challenges raised by stem cell research and its clinical applicationWill appeal to a diverse range of audiences concerned with how to address ethical, legal and policy issues regarding stem cells. It will be of particular interest to those who want to get a deeper and more nuanced understanding of some of the ethical and legal arguments since the chapters in this book present more than a mere overview of key issuesSeeks to combine a range of perspectives to dealing with the implications of a fast-moving stem cell science; in particular, bioethics and law. The ethical issues inherent in stem cell research are universal; as such, the book will appeal to readers (policy-makers, healthcare professionals, academics etc.) beyond the UK