Augmented Materials and Smart Objects investigates the issues required to ensure technology platforms capable of being seamlessly integrated into everyday objects, particularly the requirements for integrated computation and MEMs sensors, System-in-a-package solutions, multi-chip modules, the impact of the trend towards embedded microelectronic electronics sub-systems, novel assembly techniques for autonomous MEMs sensors, as well as practical performance issues that are key to the AmI concept.Also discussed are current requirements for realizing applications-oriented examples of smart objects (e.g. smart textiles, gadgets, integration of smart systems for utility and environmental monitoring, etc); these are based upon heterogeneous systems linking networks of sensors attached to (or physically embedded in) objects with information management systems enabling collections of smart objects to collaborate to provide proactive services to the user.Finally, Augmented Materials and Smart Objects describes and discusses a number of vision statements strongly relevant to the future development of distributed embedded sensor and actuator platforms for smart objects, and ultimately Ambient Intelligence. The framework for this is the concept of Augmented Materials; these are materials with fully embedded distributed information systems, designed to measure all relevant physical properties and provide a full knowledge representation of the material; in effect, the material would "know" itself, and its current status.

This investigation of current approaches to developing networkable smart objects for ambient intelligence emphasizes the microsystems and nanoscale devices required to achieve effective smart systems. It reviews the current ongoing research on effectively embedding computing technology into the everyday objects and investigates the form that these microscale and hybrid systems technologies must take for these programs to be successfully realized. The book examines the issues required to ensure that hardware technologies become capable of being seamlessly integrated into everyday objects. This includes studies on the requirements for integrated computation with MEMs sensors and the role of electronics packaging technology platforms, such as system-in-a-package and multi-chip modules, in implementing new, fully embedded, internet-like heterogeneous systems. It also discusses current progress and future directions in realizing applications-oriented smart objects.

Introduction to Ambient Intelligence. Overview of Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing. The emergence of AmI: Projects and Programmes. The implementation of AmI scenarios. Roadmaps for pervasive, ubiquitous computing and Ambient Intelligence. How emerging research disciplines (e.g. molecular computers) will affect Ambient Intelligence. Augmented Materials and Cooperating Objects.- Microsystems, Micro Sensors and Nanoscale Devices. Overview of component level devices (micro sensors, Microsystems). Microsystems: Distributed embedded sensor and actuator platforms. Potential for implementation of the microsystems and nanoscale devices. Integrating Current and Future Microsystems.- Requirements for integrated computation and MEMs sensors. Embedded microelectronic sub-systems. Multi-chip modules and System-in-a-package. Novel Interconnection, Integration and Assembly Techniques. Smart Dust, Smart Matter, the eGrain and eCube programmes.- Wireless Networking and Wireless Sensor Networks. Assembly techniques for autonomous MEMs sensor nodes. Wireless Network Communications, Protocols and Localization. Heterogeneous systems linking networks of sensors. Energy scavenging and storage. Impact and Relevance of Current and Future Wireless sensor networking Research.- The Co-design Process. Overview of the Co-design Process. Good co-design: techniques, challenges, and pitfalls. Co-design techniques for hardware technologies and systems. Co-design approaches between hardware and software research. The influence of R&D on Context Awareness and Autonomics. The Impact of Wireless Network Design, Optimisation and Self Management. Future Perspectives on Co-design and the influence of User-centric Design.- Smart Materials. Overview of smart materials. Material Behaviour: Physical and Chemical Sensing. Smart textiles, Smart floors, Smart Clothing, etc. Adaptronics. Smart Materials and how they relate to Ambient Intelligence. Integration to heterogeneous systems and augmented materials.- Smart and Cooperating Objects. Overview of Smart objects. Integration of information systems into everyday objects. The Disappearing Computer initiative and cooperating objects. From RFID to The Internet of things. Embedding computing technology effectively into the everyday objects. Achieving co-operation and developing smart behavior in collections of object.- From Vision to Commercial Reality. The Nature of Future Smart Objects: Ongoing Research Challenges and Future Opportunities. Current trends and factors that affect progress. Technologies that have started to become widespread. The role that microsystems and nanoscale devices have in these programmes.- Practical demonstrable research: networkable smart objects for Ambient Intelligence. Applications-oriented examples of smart objects and Gadgets. Integration of smart systems for utility and environmental monitoring. Medical and eWellbeing Systems. Avionics and the potential of Biomimetics Technology Platforms. Marine and Water Quality Management Systems. Logistics and Maritime Systems.