Concept of Intelligent Materials and Evaluation of Materials Intelligence

What is “Intelligent Materials”?

Abstract

Materials are, by definition, substances that are used. It follows that utility (U_m) is also an essential factor in evaluating intelligent materials. The U_m value reflects the degree of development of the material. Developing original concepts for ideal intelligent materials calls for bold, imaginative and broad based thinking. This paper proposes guidelines for the evaluation of materials intelligence (I_h) by analogy with human intelligence functions. Taking into consideration of the I_h and U_m values, we also define and evaluate a potential (μ_h) of intelligent materials. Furthermore, we suggest an impact intelligence (I_i) and an impact potential (μ_i) for materials from the point of view of future industrial impact. The premise of the paper is that the concept of intelligent materials will be one of the dominant factors in breakthrough technologies of the future.