ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case for Canadian research and development capability for MEMS based smart materials. The design of a fully integrated, smart material must be amenable to low-cost, high volume fabrication of both the components and the final material system. For example, the active layers of a smart composite honeycomb material can be fabricated using a combination of microelectronics and circuit board technology. The chapter also presents activities underway at the Centre for Large Space Structures and Systems Inc. towards research and development of various ultrasonic / fiber optic based transducers/sensors using MEMS and/or other approaches leading to smart materials/structures system. The design of a fully integrated, smart material must be amenable to low-cost, high volume fabrication of both the components and the final material system.
