抄録
This paper describes various concepts and ideas so far proposed on how to reconsider the design of composite materials and structures for the purpose of aiming at smart composite structures. The target of developing smart composite structures is first overviewed and the importance of some intermediate and near term targets is pointed out in making a breakthrough in the present composite technology. Such examples are a health monitoring for more efficient inspection and maintenance of composite structures and also adding a new function of recyclability which is most lacking in the existing composite structures. As composite materials are essentially inseparably related to product design, the future role of composite materials should be discussed in terms of more general trends of redefining manufacturing industry in view of paradigm shift, life cycle assessment, inverse manufacturing and so on. Then the possibility of polyfunctinal composite materials is discussed from the viewpoint of ecobalance and environmental harmonization by introducing several prototype concepts.
