A great deal of progress has been made in the development of materials, their application to structures, and their adaptation to a variety of systems and integrated across a wide range of industrial applications. This encyclopedia serves the rapidly expanding demand for information on technological developments. In addition to providing information for manufacturers and assemblers of materials, components, systems. and structures, it is for use by managers responsible for technology development, research projects, R&D programs, business development and strategic planning in the various industries that are considering using these technologies.