Chapter 6 Future trends and research challenges in smart alloys

Abstract

Smart alloys, a class of advanced materials exhibiting adaptive and multifunctional properties, are revolutionizing industries such as aerospace, biomedical, energy, and robotics. These materials respond to external stimuli like temperature, stress, and magnetic fields, enabling applications in high-performance, self-healing, and energy-efficient systems. This chapter explores the future trends and research challenges associated with smart alloys, highlighting recent advancements in manufacturing, computational materials science, and sustainability. Emerging fabrication techniques, including additive manufacturing and nano-engineering, are driving the development of complex and functionally graded smart alloys with tailored properties. Artificial intelligenceartificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are playing a crucial role in accelerating alloy design, optimizing material compositions, and predicting long-term performance. Additionally, the integration of the Internet of ThingsInternet of Things (IoT) allows real-time monitoring and adaptive functionality, particularly in structural health monitoring and biomedical implants. Sustainability is a key focus, with research advancing recyclable and eco-friendly processing methods to reduce environmental impact. Smart alloys are also being developed to minimize carbon footprints by enabling lightweight and high-strength materials for fuel-efficient transportation and renewable energy applications. However, several challenges remain, including material degradation, scalability, and cost-effective production. Corrosioncorrosion resistance, fatigue behavior, and compatibility with existing manufacturing ecosystems require further investigation to enhance industrial feasibility. Future research will prioritize self-healing and self-adaptive smart alloys, novel alloying strategies, and interdisciplinary collaboration between materials science, engineering, and computational modeling. By addressing current limitations and leveraging technological advancements, smart alloys are poised to reshape multiple industries, driving innovation in sustainable and high-performance materials for the next generation of engineering applications.