Ambient Intelligence with Microsystems : Augmented Materials and Smart Objects

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.