4th International Conference on Nonlinear Mechanics

The mechanics of electromagnetic materials and structures has been developing rapidly with extensive applications in, e. g. , electronics industry, nuclear engineering, and smart materials and structures. Researchers in this interdisciplinary field are with diverse background and motivation. The Symposium on the Mechanics of Electromagnetic Materials and Structures of the Fourth International Conference on Nonlinear Mechanics in Shanghai, China in August 13-16, 2002 provided an opportunity for an intimate gathering of researchers and exchange of ideas. This volume contains papers based on most of the presentations at the symposium, and articles from a few invited contributors. These papers reflect some of the recent activities in the mechanics of electromagnetic materials and structures. The first twelve papers are in the order in which they were listed in the program of the conference. These are followed by six invited papers in alphabetical order of the last names of the first authors. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Professor David Y. Gao of Virginia Tech for suggesting the symposium, and to the authors for their time and effort invested in preparing their manuscripts. We are also grateful to Professor Daining Fang of Tsinghua University for co-chairing the symposium with J. S. Yang. Our special thanks belong to Kluwer for preparing this book for publication. J. S. Yang G. A. Maugin PIEZOELECTRIC VIBRATORY GYROSCOPES J. S.