This book expounds on progress made over the last 35 years in the theory, synthesis, and application of triboluminescence for creating smart structures. It presents in detail the research into utilization of the triboluminescent properties of certain crystals as new sensor systems for smart engineering structures, as well as triboluminescence-based sensor systems that have the potential to enable wireless, in-situ, real time and distributed (WIRD) structural health monitoring of composite structures. The sensor component of any structural health monitoring (SHM) technology - measures the effects of the external load/event and provides the necessary inputs for appropriate preventive/corrective action to be taken in a smart structure - sits at the heart of such a system. This volume explores advances in materials properties and structural behavior underlying creation of smart composite structures and sensor systems for structural health monitoring of critical engineering structures, such as bridges, aircrafts, and wind blades.

David O. Olawale is Adjunct Professor and Researcher in the Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering; Okenwa O. Okoli is Professor and Chair of Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering; Ross S. Fontenot is an ASEE Postdoctoral Fellow, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division; and William A. Hollerman is a Professor in the Department of Physics, University of Louisiana at Lafayette.