6.17 Shape Control of Composites

Shape control is recognized as an essential means for the effective operation of a wide variety of flexible structures such as deployable antennas, deformable mirrors, and smart wings. Emphasis is placed here on utilizing the unique characteristics of shape memory and piezoelectric materials to generate the necessary shape control actions. However, other viable concepts such as electrostatic control mechanisms are also presented. Examples presented here demonstrate the importance of the shape control problem, the capabilities of shape control materials, and emphasize the potential for many other applications that are only limited by our imagination.