This book offers an essential introduction to the linear and non-linear behavior of solid materials, and to the concepts of deformation, displacement and stress, within the context of continuum mechanics and thermodynamics. To illustrate the fundamental principles, the book starts with an overview of solid mechanics, experimental methods, classes of material behaviors, and the thermodynamic modeling framework. It then explores linear elastic behavior, thermoelasticity, plasticity, viscoplasticity, fracture mechanics and damage behavior. The last part of the book is devoted to conventional and magnetic shape memory alloys, which may be used as actuators or sensors in adaptive structures. Given its range of coverage, the book will be especially valuable for students of engineering courses in Mechanics. Further, it includes a wealth of examples and exercises, making it accessible to the widest possible audience.

This book investigates the fascinating concept of a continuum between human memory and memory of materials. The first part provides state-of-the-art information on shape memory alloys and outlines a brief history of memory from the ancient Greeks to the present day, describing phenomenological, philosophical, and technical approaches such as neuroscience. Then, using a wealth of anecdotes, data from academic literature, and original research, this short book discusses the concepts of post-memory, memristors and forgiveness, highlights the analogies between materials defects and memory traces in the human brain. Lastly, it tackles questions of how human memory and memory of materials work together and interact. With insights from materials mechanics, neuroscience and philosophy, it enables readers to understand and continue this open debate on human memory.

This book showcases the fascinating but problematic relationship between human intelligence and artificial intelligence: AI is often discussed in the media, as if bodiless intelligence could exist, without a consciousness, without an unconscious, without thoughts. Using a wealth of anecdotes, data from academic literature, and original research, this short book examines in what circumstances robots can replace humans, and demonstrates that by operating beyond direct human control, strong artificial intelligence may pose serious problems, paving the way for all manner of extrapolations, for example implanting silicon chips in the brains of a privileged caste, and exposing the significant gap still present between the proponents of "singularity" and certain philosophers. With insights from mathematics, cognitive neuroscience and philosophy, it enables readers to understand and continue this open debate on AI, which presents concrete ethical problems for which meaningful answers are still in their infancy.

This book investigates the fascinating concept of a continuum between human memory and memory of materials. The first part provides state-of-the-art information on shape memory alloys and outlines a brief history of memory from the ancient Greeks to the present day, describing phenomenological, philosophical, and technical approaches such as neuroscience. Then, using a wealth of anecdotes, data from academic literature, and original research, this short book discusses the concepts of post-memory, memristors and forgiveness, highlights the analogies between materials defects and memory traces in the human brain. Lastly, it tackles questions of how human memory and memory of materials work together and interact. With insights from materials mechanics, neuroscience and philosophy, it enables readers to understand and continue this open debate on human memory.

This book offers an essential introduction to the linear and non-linear behavior of solid materials, and to the concepts of deformation, displacement and stress, within the context of continuum mechanics and thermodynamics. To illustrate the fundamental principles, the book starts with an overview of solid mechanics, experimental methods, classes of material behaviors, and the thermodynamic modeling framework. It then explores linear elastic behavior, thermoelasticity, plasticity, viscoplasticity, fracture mechanics and damage behavior. The last part of the book is devoted to conventional and magnetic shape memory alloys, which may be used as actuators or sensors in adaptive structures. Given its range of coverage, the book will be especially valuable for students of engineering courses in Mechanics. Further, it includes a wealth of examples and exercises, making it accessible to the widest possible audience.