Extreme Temperature Electronics - from Materials to Bio-inspired Adaptation

Biological systems have inherent mechanisms which ensure their adaptation and thus survival - preservation of functionality, despite extreme and varying environments. One such environmental feature is that of temperature. Extreme temperature electronics (ETE) is afield where, similarly, these organisms (electronic solutions), have to be designed to survive in such an environment. A number of approaches that address ETE are both proposed and, in some cases, implemented in today's technologies. Some of these approaches may be said to reduce this challenge but none may be said to solve it. However, biology has found a solution. There can, therefore, be great merit in turning to biology to identify possible solutions. However, it is important to first consider where the field is today. This paper presents a survey of methods and techniques for tackling temperature effects in ETE - from materials to static and dynamic design techniques. Further, suggestions are provided as to where a bio-inspired approach may be applied either as an improvement to an existing approach or as a novel approach to an existing sub-challenge. Particular attention has been given to where a bio-inspired approach might provide a more dynamic solution.