Smart structures are able react to different loading situations by usage of sensor and actuator technology. We focus on shape adaptive structures, which have to be flexible enough to enable an energy efficient actuation, but stiff enough to withstand external loading. The methods of node based shape optimization are used in order to optimize the passive parts of smart structures with respect to these challenges.
Another interresting area of smart structures is the specifc usage of bi-stable shapes. Also here we are able to use shape optimization to achieve the desired load-displacement behaviour.